The experiences this week involved not only conducting seminars, but also following up on previous discussions with institutional managers. Please allow me to thank one of them very profusely for the way she has found value from our publications and this forum too, since April 2019.
Continued feedback indicates that she not only shares the content with other groups, but also uses the same to guide her students and teachers too. Added to this is how she valued our visit to her school this week. Why bring this out?
After conducting a seminar early this week, it was time to do a follow up on earlier discussions with a few school administrators. In one school, we easily confirmed a seminar engagement, which will happen very shortly. In an other case, we had a rather interesting experience. When the principal noticed that I was at the reception waiting for her attention, she got out of her office. She indicated that she was engaged in a meeting with some board members, but I should hang on.
After a while, the principal realized that I may wait for too long and chose to summon me in the office. I suspect, one of the board members that we had met at the reception was wondering what I was up-to. But most importantly, the principal values our efforts, thus finding it best to summon me to the office.
“I have realized that our meeting may not end any time soon. Since you are an education stakeholder, I have found it ñecessary that you meet the present two board members,” stated the principal.
Me: Thank you for that consideration.
Principal: (turning to the chairman) I thought of inviting this visitor, so that you can, as the chairman as well as board treasurer also meet him. We may need his services in the future.
Board Chairman! So, what do you do in the school system?
Me: I do many things in schools, but more particularly circulating my books and at the same time conducting seminars for students and their teachers too.
Principal: Just for your information, the Chairman is a professor.
Me: (The title professor can be intimidating to most people. In my case, I know them well, right from my university days, at the turn of the Century. In the recent years, the same Professors have invited me to conduct seminars, especially during the career days at their universities. One of the most notable invites was by my Total Quality Management Professor, who’s invite is captured in Chapter 6 of Career Dynamics in the 21st Century. All the same, I had in the current case, to be careful of what to reveal). So, I feel honoured to meet a Board Chairman particularly one who is a professor.
Board Chairman: Thank you. Were you a school teacher at any time?
Me: No please, but I am a seasoned workplace trainer, who is accredited by the National Industrial Training Authority (I shared my career background and how I lost passion in the same). After losing passion, I eventually rejoined school for renewed knowledge that could enable me understand what could have happened.
Board Chairman: Then?
Me: Upon graduation, I learnt like everybody else that I have been awarded the power to read and do what appertains to the degrees conferred. Most people perceive these as theories, their academic value being largely associated with the certificates or titles held. Personally, I started to practically apply that knowledge acquired. To start with, I somehow conducted a research that was published in an international journal. Alongside, I was called into training and management consulting. Further, I became a writer, who was widely published in the media. Upon learning that some of the challenges noticed in organizations originate from the school system, I wrote my first book titled Career Dynamics in the 21st Century. An article appearing in the Daily Nation of 23rd May 2015, attracted KICD to the book. In 2016, it was used for architecture of the Competency Based Curriculum. It was also approved for circulation in schools in Kenya.
Today, I make presentations to principals during their conferences or in their schools. As they continue acquiring the books, they keep on inviting me to conduct seminars for students or teachers. Madam principal has personal copies of the same book. As such, I had come for a follow-up on the way forward.
Board Chairman: What are your talks about?
Me: Largely to help my subjects not to make the same mistakes I had initially made.
Principal: We have heard you clearly and may need your services in the future. Don’t hesitate to pass by, the next time, you are around this area.
Me: Thank you. However, as I leave, let me provide each of you with copies of documents that may be of good reference, (Handing them each our brochure, Copy of Daily Nation Article of 23rd May 2023 and February 2016 article on our Bottom-Up Empowerment Strategy. Why share this experience?
This time, we are influenced by our advancement publication titled “Living Beyond Survival: No More Tiptoeing in Life.” The sub-theme “No More Tiptoeing in Life” is title of one of the chapters. It illustrates how we easily become confident in life, particularly if we are living our purpose.
Once we align ourselves with our natural orientations, it will not matter what titles we have or academic credentials. All that matters is our contribution towards improvement of the welfare of humanity. In other words the value we continue adding is what is most critical. We will easily interact even with tough authorities, as we continue living our purpose.
In the absence of passion and ability to express ourselves appropriately, the school leadership encountered couldn’t have found it necessary to spend some time, listening to us. Did you know that this is how the CBC is expected to prepare our future leaders, if properly implemented? Actually, valuing the contribution towards
improvement of the welfare of humanity, by every Kenyan, is the most likely measure of excellence, going forward.
FYI
Attitudes is one of the greatest challenges in the Kenyan education system. It is experienced in every Kenyan school, right from Sub-County to National schools. The only difference is the magnitude. The attitude magnitude in lower candre of schools is higher, since they have to think of performance and career focus amongst others.
In the higher candres, performance is generally not a major challenge. Unfortunately, most assume to know it all Eventually, they end up being spoilt of choices. It’s no wonder then that most of those students at this level, unknowingly end up becoming mediocre professionals of different categories, largely upon being guided by extrinsic influences.
That explains why our empowerment strategy is applicable in the entire school system. However, our focus is largely in secondary schools where students are still malleable and therefore easily re-alignable.
WELCOME All for our Well Tested and effective Empowerment Strategy.
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach,
Speaker/Trainer on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Seasoned Trainer of Trainers,
Competency Based Curriculum-CBC Architect,
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life
- The 21st Century Student:Are You Creating The Future Today? Also, Retired 5 Year Monthly Strategy Columnist (2013 – 2018) for The SME Today Magazine Phone 254722516210
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