Here is the barber. To enjoy this story, first read part 1 “Chaali [boy], you see me. I enjoyed Secondary School. Man, when you have money, it is difficult to notice that others are suffering. This life is bad. I used to be loaded while at school. I did not know that after school life is different. I wish I had focused on my books. Our dad was like a soldier. He sat us down – my brother and I – and said ‘I will take you to good schools. If you blow your chances, you will suffer in your adult life alone. So, mature quickly and read your books. Girls should wait.…
The barber’s regret: money blinded me, part 1
He is 28. A barber. Exceptionally good barber. Customers line up for him. I too, when I find him busy, I wait for him. When I go to the saloon, I crack a few jokes and stories with the barber. It helps both of us to relax. Laugh and get even. Having some little money to drive a car and hold a good phone does not make anyone special. Not even being a CEO of a multi-national. All that matters are your ability to connect to people regardless of their station in life. Consider this: someone takes over your head. You close your eyes. As he shaves you clean. Pulls you up. down.…
The three skills of outliers, part 2
Leaders want people who make their work light. The success of any company is directly related to the quality of the staff. Why do some companies, with fewer resources, connections, capital, and opportunities thrive while others with everything at their disposal fail miserably to grow? Why is a country like Israel without any natural resources like oil, minerals, and freshwater succeed tremendously while highly endowed countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, and many others continue to struggle and lose her people to curable diseases? The answer is the quality of people. For this reason, asked, what top three key skills make one an exceptional talent, the answer is (1) trust, (2) skill…
The three skills of outliers, part 1
I have sat in many boardrooms as well as holding one on one interactions with leaders. Asked, what top three key skills make one an exceptional talent, the answer is (1) trust, (2) skill and (3) passion as demonstrated by ambition and commitment Are you a person that can be trusted? Can you keep secrets shared with you in your normal course of work safe despite future challenges or frustrations? Do you protect the interests of the company and your seniors at the expense of your personal ego and benefits? Are secrets and intellectual property safe with you? If the top leaders or your supervisor share personal secrets with you, they trust you.…
The end of #Mindset to #Mindspark
“The mindset of our young people is wrong. We must invest more in mindset change.” Why set it and then change? This message is contradictory. It is common for many politicians and technocrats to open their talks lamenting about the wrong mindset of our youth. The word mindset is so popular that yours truly, also fell victim and consistently published insights under a hashtag, mindset, on LinkedIn and Twitter. I was lost. Now I am found. No one should have their ‘mind’ ‘set!’ Only robots should have mindset. Humans should have mind-spark. Continuously be ignited to think and thrive. You spark when you ask why. When you meet something challenging and intriguing. Never…
What makes a good board chairperson, part 3
A good board chair guides the board to provide clear templates and tools to facilitate consistent reporting. This saves the board’s time and facilitates executive training. You want board reports and board packs that are consistent and easy to read. Think of this as international financial reporting standards that guide the preparation and presentation of financial statements. You want the executive to present quality board packs that are easy to read and analyze. The sample boardroom tools and templates are. Boardroom tools and templates The four key tools of an effective board are (a) a clear board agenda, as explained in Tool 7 (read the book, How to Get on the Board, ……
