Make a difference

Living a purposeful life – Stories that inspire (#001)

Posted by Haja in Attitude, Coaching, Leadership, Motivation

Story & picture taken from Twitter (X)- https://twitter.com/fopminui/status/1736157563807318119

Kenyan runner Abel Mutai was a few meters from the finish line, but got confused by the signals and stopped, thinking he had finished the race. The Spanish runner, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realising what was happening in front of him, began shouting for the Kenyan to keep running. Motai did not know Spanish and did not understand.

Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory.

One reporter asked Evan, “Why did you do this?” Evan replied, “My dream is that one day we can have the kind of community life that pushes ourselves and others to win as well.” “But why did you let the Kenyan win?” the reporter insisted. Evan replied, “I didn’t let him win; he would win. It was his race.”

The reporter insisted and asked again, “But you could have won!” Evan looked at him and replied, “But what is the merit of my victory? What is the honour of this medal? What will my mother think?”

Values are passed on from generation to generation. What values do we teach our children and to what extent do they inspire others to earn them? Most of us take advantage of people’s weaknesses rather than helping to strengthen them.

Dec.18

Attach yourself to a mission.

Posted by Haja in Management, Motivation, Personal Brand, Personal Branding

Dec.17

Why a Career Portfolio matters and how to build one

Posted by Haja in Attitude, Motivation, Personal Brand, Personal Effectiveness

The future of employment will evolve rapidly. And I believe many of us are not ready. We are still working on the 1980’s and early 2000’s view of a career path that allows us to go deep in what we do. Companies are not rewarding all employees who know only one thing. They are looking for people who bring different skillsets to the role and know how to innovate based on this background.

It is time to start reviewing and reimagining your resume and how you are looking into the future.

It is time to reinvent yourself. It is never too late.

Remember-

Own Your Career Path: Emphasize self-ownership in your career rather than reliance on your company.
Value Diverse Experiences: Focus on gathering a variety of experiences rather than following a linear career progression. Proactively look for roles that are not standard but unique.
Embrace Change Regularly: Aim to step out of your comfort zone every two years for new challenges (every role should be a talking point for you and not a couple of lines in your resume).
Narrate Your Journey: Be a passionate storyteller of your career, weaving your experiences into a cohesive narrative.
Utilize social platforms: Effectively share and connect your career story on social media for greater impact. Look at LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Other sites similar to this that will allow you to build your brand.

Dec.17

Prepare to Succeed: Winning Your Battles Before They Start

Posted by Haja in Attitude, Business, Coaching, Leadership, Management

Sun Tzu’s ancient wisdom, ‘Every battle is won before it is fought,’ holds true across various aspects of life and business. This philosophy underscores the importance of preparation and strategy. Here are five key ways to ensure you’re well-prepared, mirroring the principles of winning a battle even before it commences.

Thorough Research and Planning: Just like a General studies the battlefield, it’s essential to do your homework before tackling any challenge. For instance, a successful marketer researches their audience extensively to craft messages that resonate. Similarly, understanding the ins and outs of your ‘battlefield,’ whether it’s a market, a project, or a personal goal, ensures you’re not caught off guard.
Understanding Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Sun Tzu emphasized knowing both yourself and your enemy. Apply this by assessing your skills and limitations. Think of a chess player who knows their best strategies but also recognizes their vulnerable spots. This self-awareness helps in developing strategies that play to your strengths while mitigating weaknesses.
Effective Resource Management: Every battle requires resources, be it time, money, or people. Efficiently managing these resources can be the difference between success and failure. Consider a startup: careful budgeting and allocation of funds to the right areas can set the foundation for success before the business fully launches.
Adaptability and Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing circumstances can pre-determine success. A great example is the tech industry, where companies that quickly adapt to emerging technologies often outperform competitors. Being flexible and ready to pivot strategies as needed is crucial.
Building a Strong Team: No general goes to battle alone. Building a team with diverse skills and talents is like assembling a well-rounded army. Each member brings unique strengths, much like how a football team has players with specialized roles, all contributing to the team’s overall success. A strong, cohesive team can effectively execute plans and overcome challenges.

These steps embody the essence of winning the battle before it’s fought, by being prepared, informed, and adaptable in any situation.

#preparation #sunTzu #artofwar

Nov.30

Book Notes: Hidden Potential (20 Nov 2023)

Posted by Haja in Books, Business, Coaching, Leadership, Management

Adam Grant’s new book was a good read and had some fascinating insights, which makes it a must-read. There are people who mark in the books, which, though effective, is not something I have been able to do consistently. I’ve compiled notes that serve as a summary or review points for future reference. I find this approach to be highly effective. For me, it is better than the more common method of jotting down notes in the book.

#AdamGrant #BookReview #HiddenPotential #BookSummary #ReadingNotes

Nov.22