As the saying goes, only dead fish go with the flow.
"Flow, here in our world, means culture," he told CNBC's My Biggest Lessons.
When you go with the flow, your actions are guided by the cultural norms of the communities you are in, whether it be your industry, your workplace or even your family, he said.
However, he distinguishes between dead fish, who merely follow in the footsteps of others, and "smart fish."
"Know that it's okay to dissent on what is the norm today.
Persons:
Nicholas Syhler, CNBC's, Syhler