Roman joined us in the tenth grade. He was highly confrontational, focused almost entirely on his computer, and had virtually no in-person interaction. All of his friends were online.

His father is a respected and accomplished entrepreneur. He suggested sports; Roman tried and quit. He suggested exploring the family business; Roman had no interest. He did not listen to his parents, and arguments with both his father and mother were constant. He showed no interest in his father’s work, and they had no common ground.

This is not an exaggeration. Parents usually describe this situation in almost the same words: “We offer him everything, and he wants nothing.”

Roman scored very low on positive outlook and responsibility, while his psychological barriers were high.

This is an important point that parents are rarely shown. When these abilities are underdeveloped, every new undertaking looks like a failure in advance. Not starting feels safer than trying and falling short. From the outside, it looks as though “he wants nothing.” In reality, it is fear and a lack of inner stability.

Roman categorically refused to consider entrepreneurship as a path for himself—not because it clearly did not suit him, but because his internal barriers prevented him from even looking in that direction.

This happens with many young adults: they avoid something not because it is wrong for them, but because underdeveloped personal skills stand in the way. As those skills develop, risk becomes less intimidating and a broader range of possibilities opens up—possibilities they are finally ready to test.

This was the focus of our work. At the same time, Roman met mentors, business owners, and senior executives. He saw real people making real decisions, not lectures on how he ought to live.

This was the very direction he had previously rejected outright. The difference was that it was now his decision, not his father’s suggestion.

Just one year later, Roman was a very different person: emotionally stable, thoughtful, able to have a genuine dialogue, listen to others, defend his position constructively, and respect a different point of view.

Roman is active in sports again, now because he enjoys it, and is interested in business projects. He and his father now share more than topics of conversation; they have plans together. They are discussing several projects, including a family investment fund in which Roman would become a junior partner.