THE YEAR 2013; DEFINING MOMENTS
As we come to the end of this year 2013, I would
like to take this opportunity to wish all my blog readers a Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year 2014. The year 2013 has had a record of lessons established.
General Elections:
It all started in January. The country was feverish with the General Election
campaign. It is always said, we can learn from all situations. I kept a keen
eye on the different candidates, assessing how they managed their teams. I
realized the team that wins had some unique characteristics.
Ø Team
Spirit: The team logos, t-shirt and all gadgets incorporated the values of each
partner in the team, indicating that none of them could do it alone. Be wary of
wanting to be the winner who takes it all. It can derail the team spirit.
Ø Chemistry
between team leaders: The winning team could easily be mistaken to be in
“love”. The candidates held hands, smiled at each other often and even high-fived.
When the public sees such an attitude, the morale and trust is boosted. Truly
chemistry can make or break the whole team.
Ø Networking: It has always been said that network is your
net worth. The team made use of every individual and this made everyone in the
team feel valued. As it has been said, it is just about making the invisible,
visible.
Ø Finances
and mobilizing resource is very crucial to win. As a leader it is good to accept all types of
resources. From experience, skills, material things or even a simple advice. These
will always come handy.
Ø Use
of new technology: I loved the persuasion techniques by embracing technology
like Face book, twitter, text messages appreciation. This was a new era in
political campaigns.
Planning
and preparation for change: The country saw its first ever devolution of all
sectors. The health sector
is an important aspect of development. However, as all other sectors had
meetings, planned and gave feedback on the constitutional issues that would
affect them, our health counterparts may have left this chance to by-pass them.
The health workers Unions later put up
spirited fight with the hope to right the wrong. But change is good and must be
graduated with caution to avoid any failure.
A sad
year with deaths: There were many Deaths. I personally commemorated
anniversaries of many close relatives who had passed on, including my father
and grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. Memories seem so close. It seems
just like yesterday. The country was also not spared with deaths from terror
attacks and grisly road accidents.
Becoming
a writer: I decided to seriously start writing. I have procrastinated about this for
long and as the saying goes; procrastination is the thief of time. I have
snapped out of it and started writing my memoirs, acknowledgements,
manuscripts, blogs etc. After the first
writing, everything became very easy and clear on expressing what I want, and to
celebrate all those funny and unique moments of life.
Celebrating
my successes: I
realized that when everybody gets up in the morning, they go to
work with an intention of doing the best, and contributing towards the best
possible outcome. There is need to celebrate the little successes achieved.
Education wise, 2013 was a great year for the academic achievements and
implementation of what has been learnt. It has been said that, when something happens,
you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you
can let it strengthen you. I will let all those that have happened strengthen
me.
The Thin
Line between life and death: All of a sudden, I was sick and
scheduled for a surgery. Wow, who would have thought I would be on an operating
table, under anesthesia, oxygen on my nostrils and intravenous fluids and a
unit of auto transfused blood in my veins (details for another day). As I lay in
my room recuperating I decided to take time and celebrate every day, minute and
second. It all counts. I celebrated
my birthday on Christmas day, 25th December. At all this time, I realized the importance
of Family and Friends. How everybody surprised me.
As I sign off the year 2013, I wish all of you the
very best for 2014, and hope that we will regularly get in touch through my
blog. Will see you next year.
