A friend once asked me if taking a software development course could help her get her a job as a programmer.

I said it wouldn’t work. I thought I was a realist but actually I was both elitist and had underestimated her.

She took the course, landed a job, and started her new career. LinkedIn now told me she got her second promotion in three years.

I’m so glad she didn’t listen to me. I will never shoot down someone’s dreams again.