What drives you prizes or passion?

In the matter of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation there are those who wait for the capacity to do to be externally aroused through visual, visceral and exterior prizes. But there are those whose arousal is obtained through identifying with values and objectives and thus reward themselves by the pursuit of those designs in which they find fulfillment.  External motivations last as long as the stimulation recurs, internal drives last as long as the passion remains. Those who rely on external stimulus are understandably impatient and are happy to sustain the routine of gratification to hunger- satisfaction is not the aim. Those that rely on internal drives are more patient and more persuasive in their arguments for the big picture – to them is granted satisfaction of a promise fulfilled.

Every organization has a SOUL

Every organization has a SOUL. Every organization is first of all a Society, then an Order of hierarchical governance and structure. For an organization to exist it must have an  Undertaking and finally an organization must have a Leadership that can be consulted for direction, control and accountability. Leadership alone, independent of an organization context can achieve no more than a winner of a marathon.

The worst thing a nation can do to its people

The worst thing a nation can do to its people is to eliminate them from the process of education and lock its citizens out of its education system. By doing so the nation fortifies the positions of the privileged and invites poverty on those denied access to knowledge.

Integrity

The one thing I demand from all my business partners and appreciate from my clients is integrity. Integrity does not mean you tell me things I want to hear, being nice and always doing the right thing. Rather integrity is having the character to table issues and resolve them without hiding or coloring the facts. It is having the maturity to accept responsibility for the realities, outcomes consequences of agreements made thereon. This is probably the foundation of trust and commitment between two people. While this basic ingredient is a requirement in successful business practice, I don’t see how a marriage can stay on the road without developing this core competence of a good relationship.

Idai - unwanted visit

We read of the devastation in our sister countries in southern Africa with sadness. Is it not enough that there are many other challenges to be dealt with in our land. May the Lord shower his grace upon the families through this tragedy and kindle a candle of hope for us and all humanity.

Please - Do not malign your leaders

I am in no way protecting despots, charlatans and hooligans, but maligning our leaders does us more harm than good. The ease with which people sling barbs, jibes and snide remarks at leaders discredits the office of leadership. It disorients society and spreads a malaise of hopelessness among us all.  It also leads to the impression that leadership is not a noble calling and can only be obtained through underhanded dealing for office.  Mudslinging your leaders discourages those who would aspire to the noble office of social guardianship. Indeed, mudslinging leaders results in the same kind being elevated to office again and again and visits the same sins on society again and again. Good leaders will not want their name dragged in the dung by a mischievous chorus of ill-informed discourses.

Here is an assignment. Take time to celebrate good leadership, service and good governance and raise the profile of those who are doing what they can to make things better for everyone. Let us raise the office of leadership to a point that it will encourage our youth to appreciate the value of leadership and know that leaders are not a tribe of hooligans, but people who in good faith look out for the interest of others. A bank manager told me that because they only train staff using authentic currency, staff are able to quickly identify counterfeit bank notes. If the bank wastes time teaching staff about fake notes, staff will spend their time looking for fake notes! Let us not waste our time teaching our children about fake leaders and start giving them examples of good leadership!  

Leadership is a valuable social commodity essential for the success of a society. Leadership is no easy task. It is difficult and sacrificial; it is dependent on others, it is a service to humanity. We are privileged to have good leadership and good leaders need and deserve our support. We must nurture our leaders, train them and protect them from the vices of evil. Let us not be flippant and careless about it. There is no celebration in the summation of the number of corrupt leaders we find. Indeed it is cause to mourn, distress and of grave concern that our children see nothing good in our leaders, because then they see nothing good in us.  Please let our children aspire to be the good leaders they see in us. If all they see is what they should not be, there really is not hope for humanity. And may those whose business it is to bring down, discredit and disdain those who try and make an effort to lead and serve sacrificially burn with shame.    

  

Pay attention to the Hygiene factors of your job

Understanding the essentials of a job help you benefit from it in the long term and develop your career in the process. Every job has essentials that can be split into, Professional competence, work ethics and hygiene factors. Professional ethics is the most obvious and employees will focus on obtaining qualifications that suggest that they can do the job they were employed to do. Therefore an accountant will take professional exams while a driver will seek to meet all the technical requirement of the job. However, on the job performance and career development depend on the other two factors.

The answer to understanding why you were employed and what you should do to perform your job effectively is in your Job Description or appointment letter. A good sit down session with your boss should help you clarify what you are employed to do.  Because we only look at the Job description on the first day, we end up wandering and wondering through the rest of the period of employment not knowing or caring if we are adding value to the business or not. Work ethics demands that we constantly evaluate our role and employment responsibility and fulfill it. Only then can we be productive and find meaning in the work we do.

The third factor which I call the Hygiene factor is a critical element of personal success not just on the job but in life. You may not be sacked for not brushing your teeth or failing to take a bath regularly, but if you do not your associations at work (or anywhere else) will not be thrilling. Hygiene factors are the personal initiatives you take to present yourself well, put on a positive attitude and take pride in your work. If you are a driver, take the initiative to wash and clean the car. It is your tool of service. If you are the receptionist wear a smile and look interested in people. If you are a policeman take pride in helping children cross the road. Be a team player. Help your colleagues willingly. These factors are not technical requirements, but one thing is for sure they get you noticed and speak more of your potential as a person than the job you do.