I grew up with a single mother. She is one of the most hardworking and focused people I know of. In early 1990s, life in Munteme village was tough. It is around this time Uganda experienced one of the worst famines. The country was still undergoing political changes. In 1983, we had been told, was a year of scarcity. People died of famine. People had seen first hand the pain of living on an empty stomach. So how did famine hit again just seven years later? That is a question for our national planners at the time to answer. As…
Tool #8 of 104 tools: you are your best lawyer
“So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human.” God set only 10 commandments which He uses to manage the whole world. How come Uganda has…
Tool #7 of 104 tools is to be loyal
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).…
