Making things happen

Here are what stood out to me from this conversation with Daniel. 

1. Just do it
Daniel had built a foundation during his college years. He took on projects, he focused on practical applications of what he was learning, and he got himself involved. This foundation allowed him to hit the ground running fast and effectively.  He was able to identify areas of need and suggest creative solutions, This led to him being noticed for the right reasons--and this attention brought about a series of opportunities for growth. This is not to say that if you don’t have this background you are destined to fail, but it goes to show the importance of taking the time to learn, apply, and get involved - things that can all still happen at work.

2. Fulfilling careers are built intentionally
Despite his openness to take on a variety of projects earlier in his career, Daniel’s didn’t leave his professional development to chance and neither did it happen in a vacuum. It built upon the foundation he had developed and applied to the unique set of challenges in the organization.

3. There is so much to be done and a lot to be learnt! In and outside of work!
Working in East Africa is a gift. A gift of opportunity to do more. We are constantly faced with novel challenges that require novel solutions for our unique set of stake-holders. Daniel took advantage of this and it worked out in his favor. His eye for areas that needed improvement combined with a readiness and competence to provide actionable solutions were vital resources for his employees.