So many people, but few to trust. So many followers, few loyal cadres. That is the challenge of every leader. Which persons to empower who won’t take advantage of it to threaten my career. My seat. My shoes! Every leader needs a close circle of people they trust. A team of people are loyal to one another and very straight forward. To be loyal is to be trustworthy and act with sensibilities. To act consistently in the interests of the leader who empowers your career to thrive. Your major challenge will come from trying to be loyal to more than…
Tool #6 of 104 tools is mile deep, inch wide focus
It is easy to try to be all things to all people. Saying yes is the easiest decision. That way, you accept all ideas and end up rotating in circles. Yet great leaders are defined by their ability and frequency of saying no. You probably know of organisations that do a lot than the available resources and capabilities allows. They want to be in everything that comes along. They appear to be succeeding because of their size, staffing, resources and access to cheap capital. Such strategy of ‘playing in all games’ inadvertently slows down business growth. They talk about a…
Tool #5 of 104 tools is loyalty and reliability
“Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck; write them on your heart. If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you.” Proverbs 3:3-4. Loyalty not exceptional skills will determine your altitude. It does not matter how skilled and experienced you are, if you are not reliable and trustable, you are unlikely to be ‘seen.’ In any organization, you need to establish close working relationships with the key decision makers – usually people who sign on cheques, and those who influence them. The early signs of trust start with being assigned roles like…
Tool #4 of 104 tools is self-esteem
“Obusaija babwetera”, goes a popular saying. Loosely translated to mean, “Before others call you a Man, you have to act like one.” Over the years, I have got to understand that self-esteem is the key. The feeling of self-worth is critical. On 5th February 2018, I was called for an impromptu meeting at 7:00am. During the meeting, I received a reminder via a short message (SMS) from a prospective client that I am expected in their Boardroom at 11:30am sharp, to make a presentation of my proposal to formulate their five-year strategic plan 2019/2023 to the top management team (TMT).…
Want to be an effective CEO? Don’t let people wait at the reception…
When I was working in a bank way back in 2002, I often made people wanting to meet me wait for hours at the reception as I completed my desk tasks or internal meetings. After twenty or so minutes, I would come to meet them. Of course I would find them so bored and unhappy about the mistreatment for the long wait. Those close to me would advise me never to keep them waiting again. Others would just get to business. Fast forward to today, people are poor time keepers. And it is so annoying. If you are a CEO…