Rejection

This weekend is a space for reflection, insight, and connection among a small group of peers, who are ready to rethink rejection not as a setback, but as a skill.

In a world increasingly defined by risk, reinvention, and resilience, rejection has never been more relevant. For leaders, rejection is a crucible: the difference between bold vision and playing it safe. For artists and creatives, rejection is inseparable from the creative process—a constant companion and, paradoxically, a catalyst for authenticity. Today, whether you’re building a company, launching a project, or simply daring to show up fully, learning to work with rejection—not around it—is a competitive and creative edge.

This is why this weekend matters: In a world driven by validation—likes, applause, status—we invite you to turn inward. To ask not just how do I avoid rejection, but how do I grow from it?

Together with Jia Jiang as our guide, we’ll explore rejection not as a wall—but as a doorway.

 

More on the Topic

Turning Rejection into Something More

Here’s where the transformation truly happens: when we learn to reframe rejection. Instead of seeing it as a personal affront, we start to see it as feedback, as a teacher. Every rejection offers a clue to a better way forward—it’s not an indictment of who we are but an invitation to become more.

For creatives—whether they are filmmakers, artists, or startup founders—rejection often comes hand-in-hand with reinvention. It’s in the rejection of the first draft, the initial idea, or the initial pitch that new, often more powerful, versions emerge. It forces us to step back, reflect, and iterate. It sparks creativity in a way that validation never does.

For leaders, rejection is a tool for humility and learning. It teaches us that not every decision will be right, that not every path will be embraced. But it also reinforces that growth comes from the willingness to be wrong, to try again, and to build a culture of continuous improvement.

Rejection as a Gateway to Growth

Rejection, by contrast, forces us to confront our vulnerabilities, face our fears, and ultimately, to redefine who we are—both in relation to others and to ourselves. It doesn’t demand external approval; it calls for inner resilience and clarity of purpose. Here’s where the power lies: rejection isn’t a mark of failure but a signal for recalibration—a reminder that validation from the outside is fleeting, while inner growth is lasting.

 

About Our Thought Leader

Jia Jiang

People call me the Rejection Guy. I am a serial author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker.

My first book, “Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection” was a #1 bestseller. It has been used in sales training, career development, and college classes everywhere. I am currently in a remote cabin writing my second book The Art of Achieving Ambitious Things.

A native of Beijing, China, I came to the United States as a teenager to pursue education and entrepreneurial dreams. After receiving a BA at Brigham Young University and an MBA at Duke University, I built a successful marketing career at Dell before venturing into the worlds of entrepreneurship and blogging. My story of “100 Days of Rejection Therapy” was covered by media all over the world.

As an entrepreneur, I run Rejection Therapy, a popular card game aimed at helping people overcome their fear of rejection and develop mental resilience. It has built a global cult-like following on social media, with over 100M views on YouTube and TikTok. My personal YouTube channel and blog (RejectionTherapy.com) have over 112K subscribers. I have also founded and run DareMe Labs, a consulting firm helping corporate clients turn their employees into courageous work artists.

My goal with every event is to instill the courage and discipline in your audience that leads to extraordinary success in their lives and your organization.