Thinking Leadership in Africa by Allan Bukusi - HTML preview

CHAPTER 31

THE CONFERENCE

I once walked into a deserted conference hall. The empty meeting room hung with an air of desolation. Papers were strewn all over the tables and the chairs completely disarranged – evidence that the esteemed participants had left in some sort of hurry and a good measure of disorder. Pandemonium maybe. They were not coming back. They did not seem to have had a neat organized ending to the program.

As I prepared to leave the chamber I made a mental note that, as a trainer, I should never leave a meeting room in such a state. Then my eyes caught the last inscription of trainer scribble on the last used sheet of paper on the podium it read – the best way to predict the future is to create it! As I mused over this piece of proffered wisdom, it struck me as quite insightful. Then I too left the room with a spring in my stride – off to create the future! We do need to sit and deliberate, direction, details and developments for a while. But the more important thing is for  us to go out there and do something about it.   The  conference was good while it lasted but staying there was not going  to move things along. The fact that the room was deserted is a triumph because presumably we have people out there creating the future, doing something about it and making a difference.

As I concluded this book I wanted to have a well-organized summary with a witty conclusion and a picture perfect ending. When I recalled the conference, I realized that such an ending is not necessary and not the point of this book at all. The book is only a beginning. The best ending to this book is in the future. Friend - The Conference is over!

Things happen

Most people wait for things to happen

Many are not even aware that things happen

Others take for granted that things happen

Leadership makes things happen

Education gets you the interview

Leadership gets you the job

Education outlines your career

Leadership determines your success