Charles is the Co-Founder & CTO of GhostEye, a YC S25 cybersecurity company building vulnerability management for the human layer. A former Senior AI Engineer at BlackRock, he builds AI systems that map employee exposure and run personalized phishing, scam-call, text, and deepfake simulations to help security teams measure human risk.
01
I’ve been following this principle for as long as I can remember. When faced with uncertainty (what major to choose, what career to pursue, etc.), going for the harder option will tend to be rewarded by either opening more doors or by acquiring useful skills.
02
Consistent and genuine display of humility and integrity engenders trust which is key to have success in any sphere of life. This said, unshakable confidence is also a huge part of it and striking the right balance between confidence and humility is what one should always strive towards.
03
When it comes to the startup world, YC has taught us to stay alive long enough to get lucky. I think this one applies beyond startups. A lot of creating your own luck involves stepping out of your comfort zone and putting yourself out there. Doing this consistently will dramatically increase the likelihood of getting lucky.
One thing to take away
Human nature forces us to want to control and understand everything happening around us but the reality is that most people’s circle of influence is quite small. Directing your energy towards things you actually have sway over is truly liberating.
