A couple of days ago I watched a rare spider specie build its
web in one of the top corners in my bathroom. I was intrigued by the uniqueness
of the spider and the nature of web it was weaving. For minutes I watched the
spider go about its business with uninterrupted enthusiasm and consistence. I could
not help but wonder if that is what people notice when they watch me go about
the different duties of my business. I had to rush to work so I resorted to
following up on this project when I got home that evening.
By the time I got home, the spider had be killed by an insect
but the web still stood firm and intact. It’s been two weeks now and the web is
still as strong as it was the first day even after attempts of poking and
pouring water on it. The spider web does have a center and the web is
constructed with a series of concentric circles going out from the center.
Uganda happens to be one of the most entrepreneurial
countries in the world; nine out of ten Ugandans are able or have ever started
a business. Unfortunately 70% of these businesses never make it past their
first birthday. As leaders and entrepreneurs, we could learn so much for the
spider web principles. There are practices that happen in the world of
leadership that are more easily explained using word pictures rather than
“accepted” leadership jargon. These are behaviors, styles and attitudes that
are part of a leader’s everyday experience but are seldom explained to us in
ways that allow understanding and give us practical steps to manage the
practice.
Build for
Generations:
Many young people start business to make a living for
themselves and their families. When the going gets tough, it is no wonder that
many people call it quits and move on to something else. In order to build a business
that will stand the test of time, we need to build purpose driven businesses
rather than necessity based business. Invest your life in something that you
will be happy to pass on to your grandchildren. This is one of the fundamental
business principles that Indians use and they are successful in their family businesses.
We need to look past the current necessity into the future needs and sustainability
of the generations to come. Part of building for generations involves building
systems and structures in businesses that are sustainable, taking into
consideration environmental as well as human resource factors.
Self-sustaining
systems:
The spider takes time to weave a web that can stand the test
of time with or without its presence. We have heard numerous companies that
have collapsed after the death of the founder partly because there were no sustainable
systems to keep the company running without its core team player. As leaders
and entrepreneurs, it is vital that we set up systems in our companies and
businesses that are self-sustaining so as to ensure the continuity of the business
long after our departure or moving on to other things.
Unmatchable
quality:
Whatever we set out to do, we should aim at being the best at
it. A friend of mine said, there is no point in making a spectacular dive if
you have no intention of doing it exceptionally. There is a tendency among many
young entrepreneurs to cut corners in an effort to get to the top of the ladder
in the shortest time possible. Short cuts inevitably always turn out to be long
painful paths. I have learnt the art of diligence in consistently doing the
right thing, the right way until it pays off. If you falter at the planting
phase, you are bound to feel the impact at the harvesting time. As leaders and entrepreneurs,
we ought to aim for excellence in all that we do and nothing less. The quality
of your work will be tested with time.
Clarity of
purpose:
I want to believe that when a spider sets out to build a web,
it is not passing time neither is it engaging a non-productive work. Visionary leadership
is a crucial issue in this day and age. Nobody wants to follow someone who has
no idea about where they are heading. It is paramount that as a leader and entrepreneur,
you have a clear sense of purpose and direction regarding where you want to
lead your team to. Have clear goals and objectives to govern the strategies
that your team implements. I have learnt a vital lesson over time that being
busy does not mean productivity. Productivity is a byproduct of well-crafted
goals matched with the appropriate strategies.
Effective time
management:
We all have 24 hours a day and what we do with them is really
a matter of choice. The reality is that some people achieve so much with their
time while others simply waste this valuable resource. As a leader and entrepreneur,
you must learn the importance of effectively managing your time because it is
one of the most precious limited resources at your disposal. Every minute lost
can never be recovered. When a spider sets out to build its web, it does not
waste time until it is content with the results. Such should be the mindset
that we embrace as we go about our business.
There is so much we can learn from our daily occurrences that
can inspire us to become better people and more competent workers. Each day we
are presented with enormous learning experiences and those who are open to
learning will be able to recognize those opportunities as they present
themselves. ‘When the student is ready, the teacher will come”.
well put. Thx
ReplyDeleteAwesome insights Noeline. Food for thought
ReplyDelete