Dedicating 2013 To Finding Our North Could Yield Fast-Tracked Growth And Progress

By Mwangi Wanjumbi, Newtimes B. S. Chief Consultant/Trainer

What would happen if you come across a hefty amount of cash, which you may be under no obligation to return to the owner? Naturally, a dilemma would certainly ensue for many. But not so for an anonymous Singapore taxi driver. He did not grapple with the alternatives. Instead, he immediately returned the US $ 900,000 (KES 76.5 million) to a couple who had left it in the back seat of his taxi.

Interestingly, this driver took the money to the transport company’s lost and found office, where it was counted by stunned staff. Later, the taxi driver was at hand to receive the couple, when they went to claim their money.

Against his expectations, the taxi driver was heftily rewarded by the grateful couple. Additionally, he was promised an award for good service by the transport company. The inspiration of this taxi driver could be intriguing to some.  But, under the circumstances, he just did what he thought was the right thing to do, quite independently from the eventual rewards.  Presumably, he believes in only owning what he has rightfully earned. Or what do you think?

In life, we are driven by what the late Jim Rhon, author and motivational speaker calls guiding philosophies. They represent our values and/or personal conscience. The same are also controlled by our work ethics among st other factors. Like the Ship in the sea is guided by the compass that always point north, our characters and focus are equally supposed to be guided by the “north” attributable to each of us. Stephen R Covey, the recently departed author and leadership guru fervently espouses this assertion.

The same north contributes to our personal performance even in the workplace. Eventually, the same north determines organizational and national performance. If majority of the Singapore populace is driven by guides similar to those of the taxi driver, it may not be difficult to comprehend why the country is one of the Asian Tigers.

Apparently, Singapore is an island country that neighbors Malaysia, another Asian tiger.  It comprises 60 small islands whose total area is just slightly less than 650 sq km, compared to that of Kenya which is about 580,000. Singapore has a population of about 3 million people. According to Wikipedia dictionary it enjoys the world’s highest economic growth rate of about 17%, based on the half year figures of 2010. Unbelievably, the unemployment rate of Singapore is less than 2%.

Further, Singapore’s largely corruption-free government, skilled workforce, advanced and efficient infrastructure have attracted investments from more than 3,000 multinational corporations (MNCs), from the United States, Japan, and Europe. More still, foreign firms are found in almost all sectors of the economy. The same account for more than two thirds of manufacturing output and direct export sales.

Interestingly, 6 out of every 10 small and medium enterprises are export oriented. Largely, they import raw materials, process and re-export the same as finished goods. Moreover, Singapore’s skilled workforce is enhanced by the success of the country’s education policy in producing skilled workers. Further, the same workforce is complimented by foreigners who comprise 27% of the whole, particularly working in the service industry.  How do these facts relate to our situation?

Our infrastructural development is on overdrive as we all know. We are a highly skilled country especially compared to our peers. We are also technologically savvy. We form and in fact largely control the regional economic block. All these factors and more favor us, as we continue working towards becoming a middle income nation. So, what holds us back?

Stringent rules and regulations seem not to be adequate for moderating the behavior of the ever dynamic Kenyans. Inevitably, we may need to work on the soft aspects of our skills for us to cope with the demands of a globally competitive economy. Andrew Carnegie intimates that 85% of our successes in life are attributable to the soft skills, technical abilities accounting for only 15%.  Yet, majority largely concentrates in developing the technical aspects.

In the meantime, the north attributable to each of us is what will lead into full exploitation of the globally available resources and opportunities. The same will naturally result to continually improving levels of development, for all of us not only as individuals but also organizations and the nation too. Actually, it is this north that will help us to unleash our full potential. Normally, those guided by their north are not distracted by the challenges that they encounter as they seek progress.

Instead, they focus towards achieving well conceived personal and organizational goals that effortlessly lead to the much desired progress. Don’t they? Perhaps, it makes sense to declare 2013 the year of searching for and finding our north. Meanwhile, do not worry in the event of requiring some assistance. Through our trans-formative training solutions, we will be at hand to uniquely guide individuals and organizations towards easily finding their north.

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