By David Muturi
It is amazing how people
fear responsibility. At times, even the responsibility to take charge of their
own destiny. You get amazed when you see people evading responsibility in the
work-place, yet the working is about taking responsibility.
The work-place is meant to
be the one place where you excel by creatively and energetically driving
whatever responsibility has been assigned to you. It is the place where you
ought to seek to make your contribution and build your career, even as you
contribute to the overall institutional and public good.
Does this sound lofty? No.
You have probably started giving a hundred and one reasons why this is not
possible. You could be saying things like, “My boss is a hindrance.” You could
be blaming ‘my subordinates,’ ‘the work environment and organization culture,’
or giving a myriad of other excuses.
You can choose to succumb
to despair and sit back and wait for time to pass, and with it your dreams and
aspirations. You can alternatively choose to roll up your sleeves, pull up your
stockings and tackle challenges. The focus and passion that drive success come
from within. If you are going to succeed, you will have to empower yourself
with focus, passion and creativity.
Confidence.
Empowering yourself is
predicated upon your conduct, the image you project and how you go about
improving yourself. Let me repeat that you must have confidence in yourself.
Confidence is infectious. If you exude confidence, you inspire others to be
confident and also to believe and trust you. Confidence confirms your belief in
your ability. It feels good to be self-confident and those around you sharing
in this feeling, unless you are patently wicked.
Dress.
Endeavor to make to make a
positive impression both in dress and physical appearance. Dress appropriately
and manage stress and your physique. People who look perpetually stressed
clearly stressed clearly demonstrate they are up to the limit and there is no
point adding them more responsibility. Inappropriate dressing is a sign of
disorganization and lack of self respect and for those around you.
Be fit.
It also helps to be
physically fit. It is an excellent idea to be on a regular exercise programme.
Exercising adds a spring to your walk and gait even when everything seems not
to work.
Feedback and fighting.
Make feedback your bread
and butter in stiff growth. Throwing tantrums and crafting vengeance when
criticized will only waste otherwise useful energy. You are not perfect and
will never be. But you can be a lot better than you are now and that is what
you want and need to grow.
Use feedback to improve
yourself. Do not be derailed by side shows, remain focused on results and
personal vision. There is no point picking up every fight presented to you.
Some fights are not worth the time. But when there is need for a fight, you
must fight intelligently. Do not bring in emotions. Fight wisely to win or to
lose gracefully, for not all fights will be won. A fight should not stop you
from being empowered.
Finally, remember others.
You must empower others if you are not empowered. Pay attention to people,
acknowledge them and their achievements. For it is through them that you will
thrive.
Muturi is the executive director of the Kenya Institute of
Management.
