“What Will People Say?”: How My Mother’s Doubt Became My Driving Force

After my dad passed away 15 years ago, I didn’t just lose a parent I inherited a responsibility.

My mom, who didn’t drive and didn’t speak much English, leaned on me for everything. Grocery runs. Doctor appointments. Bills. I became her anchor.

I love her deeply. She’s the strongest person I know. But sometimes, strength wears the mask of fear.

And her fear often came out as one haunting question:
“What will people say?”

It wasn’t just about me. It was about every move I made. Every risk I considered. Every time I strayed from the so-called safe path.

When Love Feels Like a Cage

My mom absolutely wanted the best for me—of course she did. But her version of the best was built around safety.
Stability. Respectability.

She was scared of failure. Scared of embarrassment. Scared of the unknown.

So when I told her I wanted to work in innovation, to take risks, to be an entrepreneur…

Her reaction wasn’t exciting. She was worried.

“Why not just get a government job?”
“What if it doesn’t work?”
“What will people say?”

Caregiver By Circumstance, Disruptor By Nature

After losing my dad, I did what any responsible son would do: I showed up. I drove my mom everywhere. I made sure she was okay. And I truly loved being there for her.

But while I was taking care of her, I also had this fire inside me to create, to challenge the norm, to build something new.

I was living between two worlds: one rooted in duty and tradition, and the other craving disruption and ambition.

If you grew up in an immigrant or collectivist culture, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
You’re told success means stability.
A job that pays well.
A life that fits in.

But what if your soul doesn’t align with that script?

A Quote That Changed Everything

Back in high school, I had to choose a quote for the yearbook. Most people picked Drake lyrics or something borrowed from Gandhi or Steve Jobs.

I chose this:
“The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”

At the time, it felt like a clever little jab. A low-key rebellion.
But over the years, that quote became a philosophy. A compass.

Whenever I heard “You can’t,” I translated it into fuel.
Whenever someone doubted me including my mom I didn’t feel anger. I felt driven.

Not to prove them wrong out of spite but to prove myself right, with purpose.

“What Will People Say?” Is a Barrier Worth Breaking

That question isn’t just about judgment, it's about control.
It’s about shrinking to fit someone else’s comfort zone.
It’s about editing your truth to protect someone else’s narrative.

And it’s everywhere. In families. In workplaces. On social media.

But here’s the truth:
You can’t innovate and conform at the same time.

If you want to create something bold, a business, a brand, a life you have to be willing to be misunderstood.
You have to risk being judged.
Even by the people closest to you.

Rebellion Isn’t a Phase, It’s a Superpower

The most impactful, creative, successful people I know have one thing in common:
They were doubted.

By friends.
By teachers.
By society.
By their own families.

But they didn’t fold under that pressure. They let it forge them.

For me, every You can’t do that became a silent contract.
Watch me.

Innovation, disruption, reinvention it’s always been personal.
I wasn’t just building companies. I was proving that I could write my own story.

Love, Doubt, and Growth Can Coexist

Let me be clear, my mom's doubts didn’t come from a lack of love. They came because she loved me. She wanted me safe. Accepted. Secure.

That’s love.

But love isn’t always aligned with vision.

And that’s okay.

You can love someone deeply and still choose a different path.
You can honor your past without being trapped by it.
You can carry tradition in one hand and innovation in the other.

Final Thought: Turn the Doubt Into Drive

If there’s a voice in your life whispering “What will people say?” here’s my advice:

Smile.
Take a breath.
Then go do it anyway.

Because the greatest pleasure in life really is doing what people say you cannot do.
Not to prove them wrong.
But to prove yourself right.

About the Author:

Shawn Kanungo is a globally recognized disruption strategist and keynote speaker who helps organizations adapt to change and leverage disruptive thinking. Named one of the "Best New Speakers" by the National Speakers Bureau, Shawn has spoken at some of the world's most innovative organizations, including IBM, Walmart, and 3M. His expertise in digital disruption strategies helps leaders navigate transformation and build resilience in an increasingly uncertain business environment.