Opportunity permitting, take time to have an interface with Lekani Katandula of Illovo, Vizenge Kumwenda of Nico Holdings, Edith Jiya of Old Mutual, McFussy Kawawa of National Bank of Malawi, Ronald Mangani of Press Corporation, George Partridge, the renowned and respected corporate icon, and entrepreneur Napoleon Dzombe the amazing tycoon, Lusubilo Chakaniza of Ethanol, Paul Kwengwere of Malawi Investment and Trade Centre.
Opportunity permitting, interface with Elwin Sichiola of Teveta, Jimmy Koreia Mpatsa of Mpatsa Holdings, Ahmed Munaf Rashid of Siku Group of Companies, Leonnard Chikadya of The Times Group, Phillip Madinga of Standard of Malawi, Thomson Mpinganjira, the FDH Financial Holdings founder.
These top leading corporate gurus and outstanding entrepreneurs have one thing in common – humility. When you speak to them, they give you the utmost attention. Despite their great pedigree in the society they stay humble.
You would even wonder if, indeed, they are the very same people who drive businesses that register profits in billions of kwachas.
These people realise that success is not about being flamboyant, is not about undermining other people, and is not about over-blowing your trumpet. They let their success stories show the world what they are capable of leading.
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There are many people that have failed to rise in life because of lack of humility. They had elevated themselves to levels they had not yet reached.
They told people what they consider themselves to be while the reality was looking at them differently. When you humble yourself, the world looks at you in a favourable manner. People give you the benefit of doubt even when things do not seem to be going on well.
Check on the international scope. Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are too humble. The story is the same in respect of Africa’s richest person Aliko Dangote. Strive Masiyiwa is in the same club of humility.
When you have succeeded too much, there is nothing to be proud of. You are the embodiment of success. Even any simple piece of cloth you put on gets admired.
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Do not be carried over by positions. You are not the position, you are who are and your value is beyond the position that you hold.
Should you lose the position today, would people open doors for you, make coffee for you, stand on the sideline so that you pass by? Would people do that? Would they greet you with the respect they used to accord you?
Humility is but a realisation that you are just a human being like anyone else, that you are only playing your rightful role in the society, that all other people are equally good and unique in their spheres of influence and that your success is nothing without them.
Humility is but the realisation that the words you speak to your juniors can make or break their futures, can create a good business rapport or destroy it.
Humility is but the ultimate denominator that the weak of today may be the strong of tomorrow and when tables turn, they respect you equally.
Humility is not a weakness. Greeting people considered to be low in ranking or stature does not mean that you are reducing yourself to lower standards.
All it means is that you empower the weak, you give them the belief and trust that they as well can make it great in life and that differences in status mean nothing to humanity.
Next time you drive by people considered to be low in status; stop, greet them, ask them how their lives are moving and give them some words of encouragement.
In the office corridors, move away for a moment from the comfortable C-Suite and greet the blue-collar sweating guys labouring hard to keep the company afloat. Share a joke with them and that will inspire them greatly.
It is not necessary preaching to people and subordinates of your personal successes, how you view yourself, how they are failures and you are a top dog. No. It is not necessary.
The people know you better than you know yourself. They are well acquainted with your weaknesses, failures and lies. Stay humble always.
