Key Insights

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1. Grit is Built Through Early Adversity.

Moving continents as a child—Australia, England, and finally the U.S.—forced Zhu to navigate vastly different cultures and schools. This "muscle" of adaptability made later professional leaps, like starting a company, feel achievable rather than terrifying.

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2. In-House Counsel are "Natural" Entrepreneurs.

Lawyers who work cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and finance have already "walked the distance" of a CEO. This background provides a massive head start when starting a business, as GCs are already trained to see the 360-degree business view.

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3. Legal Tech Must Be Designed by Legal Users.

Zhu believes a true solution for legal intake only works if designed by someone who has walked miles in those shoes. The lack of visibility and the "black box" nature of legal work are pains that technologists often misinterpret unless they have felt the "mountain of work" themselves.

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4. Equanimity is a High-Stakes Skill.

Scuba diving, particularly rescue training, builds an "incredible mental strength" to stay calm under life-or-death pressure. This translates directly to the boardroom; the leaders people want to follow are those who can identify the crux of a crisis without flying off the handle.

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5. Identify Internal Dialogue to Direct Change. Resisting change is a natural reaction to uncertainty. However, Zhu argues it is better to be the "CEO of your own life" and consciously direct the flow of change rather than having it forced upon you.

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6. Closing Insight

Your non-linear career—including the "sideways steps" and personal challenges—is the exact source of your strength; use that accumulated grit to stop reacting to the market and start consciously directing your own path.