The Meandering River

Dear lovely people,

Why would a river go meandering instead of just flowing straight? Have you ever ask yourself that question? I always asked myself too. I know, I know the obvious answer anybody will give is that the river is escaping obstacles that is why it has to go winding looking for the easiest path.

On another scale, a geographer will go further explaining that a meander forms when moving water in a stream erodes the outer banks and widens its valley, and the inner part of the river has less energy and deposits silt. A stream of any volume may assume a meandering course, alternately eroding sediments from the outside of a bend and depositing them on the inside.

But I have known rivers that instead of meandering, rather braved the odds and had to erode their way through huge obstacles including mountains creating their own unique path in the process. Sure you have seen rivers flowing through what seems like bottomless towering gullies.

In today's world where global issues are so important, many people feel a sense of powerlessness and resignation; a feeling that no individual's efforts can change the way things are. The question then considering such a context is; what approach have you adopted? That of the meandering river or the one that breaks through obstacles?

Every day, life says to us, “You say you want this? Prove how much. Fight for it. Earn it.” Overcoming obstacles is a big part of earning it. Every day, we face small or large hurdles that can make us want to give up or give in. You have to fight to keep going.

For those who break through obstacles, it’s important to note that it’s not enough to merely address what we know, we need to address how we know something.  Because we know things on multiple levels (conscious and unconscious) a systemic approach takes us into those deeper layers of how we know.

In all you do and no matter how difficult the going gets, you must remember that at any one point, you could be just one small adjustment away from a major success.

Ferocious Determination

Dear lovely people,

Craig D. Launsbrough says “To find one's purpose is to discover one's worth, discern one's direction, wholly dedicate oneself to the journey, and forge an unbending determination that I will not leave the world the way I found it…”

When Ngwabifuh left his house that morning, he knew it will be a long while before he will be back. He was headed for a new location, a new beginning and a new future. On his way, he stopped over at what was once the Ngwabifuh Supermarket. Looking at the mounts of cinder, he let the painful memories of that faithful day replay in his mind. It all happened when he received an anonymous phone call that his supermarket was on fire and before he got there, nothing was left to be salvaged. All what was left on burned, was looted.

It was clear the economy had not treated him fairly, the gargantuan tax system dealt him several blows many times over. He recalled all those times thieves made away with huge sums of money from his shop and the many other times he had to close his shop for weeks because of frequent civil unrests. All these did not deter his resoluteness to keep on keeping on.

There he stood, looking at the ashes of his many years of toil. Despite the many huddles, he had worked so hard to transform his business from a small roadside vendor to the proud owner of Ngwabifuh Supermarket that attracted hundreds of customers daily.

Surprisingly to bystanders, Ngwabifuh smiled to himself and drove off. Unknown to those who were gaping at him completely bewildered, Ngwabifuh told himself at that instant - all is not lost. He affirmed that it might have taken him many years of hard work to get where he was but at that very instance, he resolved to start all over again and to do it in a better way.

Many are the times when the dreams we have crafted for ourselves get tested through unthinkable ways. Such trails might originate from your own very conscious or unconscious making or from external factors in the society beyond your control. Irrespective of the source, you’ve got one choice only to be ferociously determined to break through even if it means starting all over again.

Objectively Leading Change

Dear lovely people,

Some leaders are made to lead any change process and stand out as objectively convincing leaders even in the face of all aridity. They strive to become better each day while helping everything and everyone around them to become better too. Yet, others are just there by design to make life unbearable for those they are charged with the responsibility to lead. Where do you stand?

As a true leader, understanding the substantive reasons for indecision is fundamental in affecting change. Pushing the eternal optimist to accept reality or convincing the consternated analyst that the data at hand is conclusive, is fruitless. You must define an alternate route. The only avenue to address the issue is your ability to objectively lead.

It takes a leader to make effective decisions. The person's position or rank is irrelevant. The leader is identified, in part, by their ability to make and be accountable for decisions, to assemble a team to assist in the definition, execution, and continued critical evaluation of the decision.

Accountability, though, is the most critical trait. It earns trust from the team and the stakeholders. It is contagious. Peers and subordinates will step up and model the behavior. In short, accountability subverts a superior's indecision. It imbues leadership below the consternation and drives the organization forward.

John C. Maxwell states that “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,”