I had a wonderful childhood, but at times it was tough, as we were raised in African tradition, with discipline, respect for elders and cultural tradition at the forefront.
could better relate. New Jersey is a melting pot of cultures – probably one of the most diverse States in the USA, and I was fortunate to have access to the benefits of the more privileged community where I lived and could still be a part of the black community where I had more camaraderie of similarity. The advantage that came with having access to the benefits that both communities offered me, was not lost on me. From a young age, I recognized that I was fortunate, however, for a lot of my friends on the basketball court, the access to the quality education and opportunities that I had would be a challenge, if not an impossibility. From a young age,
I knew I wanted to find some way to bridge this gap.
(PG) How did the challenges you faced as a child shape your strength as a person and an athlete?
(OO). It was crazy as a young person, going back and forth between the black community and the predominantly Caucasian community where I was living. In my Nigerian household, I had to have one personality, and in my school
and sports environment, I had another. I didn’t see this as an issue as I was growing up - it was just who I was. My family shaped my morals and gave me a strong set of ethics, but it was tough for me going to school, having to tell the kids that my name was Odafe – not just Odafe, but Odafe Oweh. I heard so many variations on the pronunciation of my name – both my first and last name. At a young age, you’re very impressionable, and being the only big black guy in an
Odafe Oweh's parents
environment where people didn’t look like me was tough. Eventually, I started to go by Jayson instead of Odafe, and kids could suddenly pronounce my name. Without a difficult African name, I assimilated easier. Because of my size, my height – the way I looked, even with a more Americansounding name, I was still always different than the other kids at school. As a child, we moved a lot, so it meant new communities, new schools, new
friends – having to find ways to fit in, so I had to learn how to be a part of a new ‘team’ frequently, which has given me an advantage as an athlete.
I learned how to be comfortable in my skin and to have pride in being different, understanding that what makes you different is what makes you who you are. When I was selected in the NFL draft, I proudly changed my name back to Odafe. If people can’t
pronounce my name, I guess they’ll just have to learn.
(PG). Why is it so important to you to make your African heritage a priority in your life?
(OO) I had to learn how to bridge both sides of my life –the African heritage which was so important to my tradition, and my life in more mainstream American society. I am proud to be a Nigerian-America, and I am thankful that I had
Garry Gilliam, Larisa Miller, Henry Oweh and Odafe Oweh. (Board of advisors for DOFFA, with Odafe as the president and chairman)
and
the upbringing I had from my two amazing parents, because they shaped the man that I am today. I work very hard to keep my culture and Nigerian heritage a part of my life. I want to be a man who can say I have a culture, I have roots and I know where I’m from, and I want all young people – no matter what their culture is, to feel comfortable in their skin.
(PG) You play football in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens, selected in the first round of the 2021 Draft, which is an extraordinary achievement. But you also prioritize giving back and empowering youth through DOFFA, your nonprofit. Tell us why this is such
a priority to you.
(OO) My parents always held us to a high standard because they wanted my brothers and I to have opportunities that would lead us to success – in the classroom, in sports and in life. But for other people around the world, and particularly in Africa, they don’t have access to the opportunities that I was blessed to have. Sports has been an important part of my life since I was young and was certainly something I had a natural aptitude for. By the Grace of God, I have the opportunity to play football in the NFL, but I believe my life’s calling is to be a force for good in people’s lives, giving back
to those less fortunate than myself. This is what touches my heart and motivates me.
Make yourself better, make your family better, and make your community better, are values instilled in me by my parents. As a professional athlete, I have the platform to make impact and potentially, to change lives. I believe that my calling and purpose is to empower individuals who live without much of which we take for granted. My nonprofit foundation, the Dafe Oweh Family Fund for Africa (DOFFA) will serve to help, propel, and ignite a generation of young students, athletes, and entrepreneurs. There is so much potential in people around the world that is being wasted because these people lack the access to knowledge, resources and tools which can help them find their purpose and pathway. Many young people go to school – if they can afford to go to school, without books, or a pencil and paper to write on. They have ingenuity that is born out of necessity, but don’t know how to turn this into an opportunity to become an entrepreneur.
Odafe Oweh, siblings
mother
They lack the access to start-up capital to get their businesses off the ground. Young people everywhere need guidance and role models to help them make good decisions. They need people to look up to who can inspire them and give them courage and confidence. Through DOFFA, I want to be the person that is this voice of hope and opportunity for young people here in the USA, in Africa and across the globe.
I want to look back on my life and be able to say that I made a difference and changed lives, and DOFFA will be my means to that end. DOFFA will award scholarships, give young people the chance to pitch business ideas for seed capital, hold hackathons that will allow us to solve critical world problems in line with the SDGs. Partnering with The Bridge Eco-Village, we will build eco-villages where people can work, eat, live, learn, and play in marginalized neighborhoods here in the USA, in Nigeria and across Africa. I believe that if we can change a little, we can change a lot, but our impact is much stronger if we do it together.
(PG) As a role model –someone that people look up to, what one piece of advice would you like to give to young people?
(OO) Be everything that God wants you to be and reach your potential using your God-given talents. At the end of the day, we must answer to God, and we want to be able to say that we tapped into our full potential instead of wasting it. Remember that humility, empathy, and understanding can change lives.
My parents always held us to a high standard because they wanted my brothers and I to have opportunities that would lead us to success – in the classroom, in sports and in life.
Odafe Oweh in action
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JULIANA CICI
Thank you, it is my privilege and I feel honoured to be part of this interview and bring some highlights and reflection for all the audience in terms of the real global challenge as it is the climate change.
BRIEFLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO THE READERS
I am a keen, motivated and dynamic professional woman with a first grade University education in Law and a Master in European and International Governance from the Faculty of Law/University of Geneva. Currently, I am enrolled to continue
PhD studies at the Faculty of Law of the University of Geneva as a researcher for the project on “Climate Change and Human Rights, including challenges for women’s and migration as comparative approach between European and Africa union.
I am engaged as lecture conducting trainers and short courses online on women’s rights; climate change and human rights in cooperation with the Academy of Leadership and Science in Switzerland and the Academy of Consumer’s Rights in Albania.
During the period from 2019-2021, I have been the co-founder and contributor for the Albanian Women’s Integration in Diaspora within the “Women Alb World International Association” with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Since 2017 up to now, I am engaged as an international consultant for different International Organizations, including the International Office for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva Switzerland and as well a special rapporteur for the Sabin Centre for Climate Change Law with a focus on global climate litigation.
During the period from 20192021, I have been the cofounder and contributor for the Albanian Women’s Integration in Diaspora within the “Women Alb World International Association” with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
In 2021 I was nominated by the Power House Global Magazine for Women Empower among 50 members from around the world. I have participated as a key speaker in different webinars and recently I had contributed as a moderator for the panel on “Youth-led Climate Litigation” the annual
the will of public decisionmakers is rarely not to say never present. It would be advisable to reinforce the binding character of certain international legal instruments, in order to hope for positive results in terms of respect for the international commitments of the States of the globe, as well in the drastic reduction of the creative activities of greenhouse gases as in the funding of initiatives contributing to this reduction.
Increasingly, climate litigation is emerging as an important element in efforts to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation.
One of the main reasons for this is the multiplication of national and international legal rules directly related to climate change, which constitute a solid foundation for applicants wishing to recognize the responsibility of governments and private actors with regard to the obligations of and adaptation. In this generalization of climate disputes, several activities are concerned, ranging from
coastal development to infrastructure planning, through the extraction of resources. In short, it is about adopting a legal approach to the multiple ways in which climate change affects ecosystems, societies and the rights and interests of individuals.
As Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent and as a global challenge it does not respect national borders, in my opinion another solution should be the need to deepen the Interaction between Gender, Sustainable Development and Climate Change and effective consideration of the gender dimensions in addressing climate change issues, with a view to ensuring that women
are key actors on an equal footing with men.
Indeed, women are not only victims, but also agents of change and possess specific knowledge and skills to contribute effectively to climate change adaptation and mitigation; and need more efforts from national level and decision-making bodies for more representatives of women and their contribution.
In the end of this interview, I would like to citate Mother Teresa who said:
“I can do things you cannot do, you can do things I cannot, together we can do great things”
Business & Leadership Column
WOULD YOU CONSIDER JOY MONGERING?
- By Cordelia Gaffar
We are bombarded with messages of “fear mongering” everyday. For example, in the home kids are taught to be afraid of getting in trouble, in school children are afraid of consequences, in business adults are afraid to speak their mind for fear of backlash, and globally social media is full of fear mongering click bait.
I believe that “joy mongering” can be a choice not just an emotion. It is a state of being. In that beingness, we feel peace, love and generosity towards others.
In every moment we have a choice, we can choose to believe the fear messages or we can create a new belief. What if we took a stand for “joy mongering”? Imagine what could happen if we raised our children this way, we taught this in schools, and we created a “joy mongering” culture in business. Imagine a world where “joy mongering” was our GLOBAL CULTURE.
Transmuting difficult emotions into what I call Joy Mongering is my life long practice. In July of 2001 I became Muslim. Which was two months before the historical event of “9/11” when the twin towers were attacked in New York and the Pentagon in Washington DC allegedly by Muslim men. As a Senior Accountant and mother, in that moment my life changed forever.
I can remember being at the elevator at work, dressed as Muslim woman wearing traditional
headcovering and long dress covering down to my ankles. As the elevator doors opened, a woman said, “I don’t want to get in the elevator with her, she has one of those blankets on her head”. I could feel the fear and confusion in her.
Then I noticed others stepped away from me and began to look at me up and down. I felt shocked and confused. By the time I reached my floor I realized that everyone was reacting out of fear. I was mostly in shock yet grateful for the solo trip to the ninth floor to reflect. How could I change their fear?
I began to see fear everywhere from the grocery store, to road rage, and restaurants on date nights. I began to ponder what is the solution to the “fear mongering”? I decided the solution is Joy Mongering because when we are in Joy we feel compassion and when we are in compassion we feel safe. Joy and gratitude for our existence and opportunity to express compassion to one another.
Now as an Emotional wellness coach, podcast host of not one but two shows, author of eight books (on topics include grief, self-nurturing, nutrition and love) and mother of six, I have personally experienced the positive effects of “Joy Mongering” which is why I created my signature process
I can remember being at the elevator at work, dressed as Muslim woman wearing traditional headcovering and long dress covering down to my ankles. As the elevator doors opened, a woman said, “I don’t want to get in the elevator with her, she has one of those blankets on her head”.
known as Replenish Me ™.
Through Joy Mongering
I am able to help female leaders create productive and successful teams and compassionate cohesive cultures in corporate. Through Joy Mongering families are able to create more connection and nurture more joy instead of a household of hustle and bustle and chaos.
1. Joy Mongering is a state of being
2. Joy Mongering is a choice
3. Joy Mongering is perceiving everything as an experiment
4. Joy Mongering creates inner peace
5. Joy Mongering creates world peace
Curious minds want to know what Joy Mongering is. I love sharing the Replenish Me ™ Process of Release, Restructure, refresh and Rebirth through poetry.
Joy Mongering Is…
• It is going from Black and white to color.
• That color being green which inspires the heart and mind
• Minding your heart is joyful business
• It can even cause extreme dizziness
• Who knows what you will find
• What you thought you craved
• Is to be saved, for another time
• Once your heart, feelings and soul align
• Benevolently swinging, preening, while your greening your way through life
• Turn off of the malevolency of your thoughts and deprogram strife
• Choose to use your
wisdom, presence is so powerful in this
• And all the things you feel compelled or have been conditioned “to do” could make you miss
• That one opportunity to all your heart to sing and your inner child to wean from toxic waste
• It’s all happening, while you be cappin in it coppin meth what you call your “to dos”
• And all you DO is making a fool of you post haste
• Joy mongering is the opposite of All of That!
• If you choose to monger leave the hate squeeze out the fear
• and be joyful, toyfully allow your true self to appear
• Would you like to feel more joy and presence in your life? Consider joy mongering.
ABOUT CORDELIA GAFFAR
Cordelia Gaffar is the World’s Best Joy Monger. That means
Through Joy Mongering
I am able to help female leaders create productive and successful teams and compassionate cohesive cultures in corporate.
that she holds space for you to reveal your joy within.
Joy Mongering is a word she created after experiencing the brunt of people’s fear as a Muslim woman. In fact she has created a process she calls Replenish Me ™ to help you transmute fear, rage and anger into Joy. In one of her eight books, Detached Love: Transforming Your Heart Do That You Transform Your Mind, she breaks down the Replenish Me ™ process through her research, client stories and her personal vulnerable shares.
She is also the host of two host podcasts. She won Best
Podcast Host for her solo show called Free to Be Show and collaborates as a co-host on Unlearning Labels. The multidimensional genius she is, is further demonstrated as the mother of six children whom I homeschooled for 17 years. In summary, she has won multiple awards: Best Podcast Host of 2019, Top National Influencer, Sexy Brilliant Leader, and inducted into the Global Library of Female Authors in 2020; and in 2021 nominated for Author of the Year and Health and Wellness Coach of the Year. She has also won the Brainz Global 500 Award of Influencers and Entrepreneurs for 2021 and won BOOKS for PEACE 2022 award.
She has been featured on America Meditating Radio, British Muslim TV, Spirituality Podcast, also featured on South African radio 786, and Fox News.
https://www.cordeliagaffar.com
THE POWER OF AUTHENTIC CONNECTION
— BY MARY KUREK Pres, Frontrunners Development, Inc.
In the last few weeks, as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has escalated, I think the powerful presence of authentic connection has never been so impressively experienced worldwide. People who know people in Ukraine are banding together to bring support to needed areas. Former service members are joining up to help protect Ukraine. Charities are linking arms that never would have before, and celebrities around the globe are connecting to bring hope, food, and prayers. This is the stuff of miracles.
When momentum drives motivation, it is easy to see authenticity come out in building instant relationships that likely never would have been possible before. But, what does authentic connection look like when you try to put that label on everyday business, governing, or nonprofit leadership? It can often look like telemarketing, direct emails, and sales team correspondence without even so much as knowing the other person’s name...none of which is particularly human being centric.
The simple answer to authentic connection is that it is a relationship, one that begins with knowing who the other person is and what they are about. In my work as a business developer, I utilize my media platform to interview people from around the world that I want to have in
my network. I start with their backgrounds to know why they came to be the person with the mission they have today. The moment they start answering that question, I have begun my relationship with them. It’s personal...for both of us. And, it is the basis for everything moving forward - more connections - business opportunities - sharing of resources - and praises for good works. They become part of my partner community at that point and I literally count them. In fact, the experience of creating these relationships connects to my own
mission of impact for building “bridges of peace,” and thereby, causes me to keep track of the countries where I’ve been able to establish such. I’m up to 69 countries as of this writing.
Authentic connection is easy when you have a vehicle for developing relationships, such as a media platform, a community or membership organization, social group, or you are simply adept at working social media. But, even more important than having a vehicle for connection is the reason for creating connections. Your reason is directly tied to your mission - what you wish to accomplish in your life. Just know that there’s no point to building relationships in a silo; diversity in your network is going to be key.
Authentic connection is such an easy driver for goals. Once you get good at it; you will fall over people trying to connect with you. In my work, I’ve been blessed to create business development connections for diplomats, university chancellors, royals, and innovators worldwide. The
partnerships I’ve been able to work on involve multi-million dollar smart city developments, university campus locations, and innovation partners. The connections I’ve created on both sides came from developing those authentic relationships to the point of being able to see the gaps that needed to be filled. Additionally, I’ve attracted partnerships and appointments for my own business: In Africa, the presiding Monarchy of Madagascar appointed me to serve as Counselor for Commerce and Industry. The Federation of Int’l Gender and Human Rights Ambassador, Ghazala Khan, representing Pakistan, has partnered with me and 2 partners in my community to develop the Global Governance and Diplomacy Course. HE Dr. Osita Aniemeka of the Sub Saharan Open University in Nigeria has appointed me to his governing board to assist with global content development for entrepreneurship. I have been added to the development team of an enterprise company in Malawi I helped to instigate. And, that’s not all, but, what
inspires me has to do more with the potential impact on human lives all of this activity represents.
If we could all get past traditional methods of connecting with people we don’t know and start thinking about how to be of service keeping in mind that relationship is where you want to be, just imagine how business would change...how lives would change. And, if lives change, so do communities... cities, countries, our world. It’s not rocket science. It’s simply a way to change how we operate.
A couple of years ago, early one morning, I noticed a string of Linkedin messages from the father of a 13 year-old girl from Tanzania who I had begun mentoring. The father was sending me personal bits about his daughter so I’d know her better. The spontaneous communication surprised me. Two hours later, I received a desperate message from my partner in Indiana telling me that one of my community members was in crisis. Turns out that the woman in crisis (who lived in Zambia) had met
Authentic connection is such an easy driver for goals. Once you get good at it; you will fall over people trying to connect with you. In my work, I’ve been blessed to create business development connections for diplomats, university chancellors, royals, and innovators worldwide.
another member from Norway in our community Whatsapp group. They befriended one another and the woman in Norway became worried when she sensed depression and unresponsiveness from the Zambian. My inability to get the Zambian (who I knew suffered badly from Lupus) on the phone prompted a call between my partner in Indiana and the member in Norway. Not thinking we knew anyone else in Zambia who could help, we were stuck...until I remembered that my mentee’s father (who had been communicating with me all morning) was not only in Zambia, but a pharmacist and patient advocate. He responded immediately to my request for help; went to see her within the hour, and sent me pictures of their meeting. With a collective effort, we were able to get her some food, tests, and her medications straightened out. Authentic connection, I’m convinced, saved a life that day.
I’m always looking to meet dynamic changemakers, charity and governing leaders in marginalized areas, problem solvers and innovators from around the world with solutions to big challenges and UN Sustainable Development
Goals advocates who are serving as board members and influencers.
ABOUT MARY KUREK
Mary is the Founder and President of Frontrunners Development Inc.
The firm (FDI), which supports all United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focuses work on Goal #17 (Partnerships for all Goals.) FDI conducts business development in impact spaces by developing relationships through a curated community of innovators and diplomats. The firm also publishes the first global
business media platform aimed at social impact. Kurek has conducted 500+ international interviews, developing relationships to date in 66 countries, with the platform receiving views from 160 countries annually.
FDI enjoys partnerships with worldwide organizations, like the Sub Saharan Open University (Nigeria), Living Learning & Working, Inc. (US/ Canada), World Youth Summit (Cyprus), The Next Generation Leaders (Saudi Arabia), Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development, (Nigeria), and Books for Peace (Italy).
Kurek, a Long Leaf Pine Award Recipient for Outstanding Service to the Citizens of North Carolina, has co-founded two local nonprofits. She sits on the boards of several international organizations to include UNAccc, a leading think tank and research organization headquartered in India focusing on climate and planet health. She was appointed in 2021 as a Trade and Investment Counselor for the presiding Prince of Madagascar.
Have you ever felt that desire to change the world so deeply that you are willing to do whatever it takes to make this happen? yes? So, you boldly step out and acquire skills and strategies to make this happen!
I’d say everyone reading this has that desire;otherwise you’d not be reading this – you are a leader at heart and that’s what leaders do, they deeply desire to make a difference.
But did you know that most of us leaders have neglected the ONE leadership role that matters most?
That was me about two years ago!
Most people know that for over 20 years I’d been working to empower young people to live their fullest potential- I was making a big mark in this area.
Then in our psychological research we began to notice that more and more parents were losing connection with their teenagers and subsequently their leadership role and influence. That’s when I pivoted to helping parents upscale specific leadership skills for parenting teenagers so parents could successfully raise mentally healthy and highly effective teenagers without
losing their own mind.
Here’s the irony!
At around the same time, I was losing my own mind because the relationship between my teenage daughter and I was in crisis – literally we were not seeing eye to eye. I was not only losing my mind, but I had also lost my influence and leadership in her life. Gosh, talk about feeling hopeless and helpless - it's a feeling that kills you silently as a parent.
The problem I had been graciously helping parents of teenagers to solve, was now in my home.
I can’t tell you the many nights I cried myself to sleep - wishing if only I could reclaim my relationship with my daughter. Scarier for me is knowing that when teens are disconnected with their parents they become prime targets for mental health problems, crime exploitation, drug exploitation and sex exploitation. What was I doing wrong? What had happened that I lost my leadership?
One Monday summer evening, teen daughter was supposed to be going to her girl guides club. Usually, we’d leave the house at 6pm to arrive at 6.15pm.
It’s 5.50pm now and no sign of a ready teen daughter downstairs.
5.52pm. I really should call out and find out if she’s ready. But I didn’t. I was afraid.
5.55pm. I’m now trembling.
At around the same time, I was losing my own mind because the relationship between my teenage daughter and I was in crisis –literally we were not seeing eye to eye. I was not only losing my mind, but I had also lost my influence and leadership in her life.
But, I muster some courage, and I walk upstairs.
Truth be told, I had come to a point where I was afraid of my own daughter’s reactions.
5.58pm. I stood outside her bedroom door.
My knuckles are shuddering. I'm unable to knock - yet I know I must knock.
The clock hits 6pm. I knock at her door.
Double guessing myself I mutter some words, cautious and determined not to cause trouble or rock the boat
“Do you remember it is guides…”
The full sentence had hardly
come out of my mouth when the door flung open.
A visibly irritated teen sweeps past me, nearly dropping me to the ground.
Shouting “you do not tell me what to do”
At that moment I felt as if she’d driven a sharp sword into my heart whilst I was kicking for breath.
I knew something had to change!
It was a do or die day for me!
I followed her downstairs. I wore my running shoes and didn't say a word to her.
I asked my partner to take her to her guides club.
I jumped out of the house and ran!
My mouth burst wide open. I was crying! Warm tears mixing with warm sweat - dignity out of the window.
I ran and ran and ran.
I would have still continued running had I not come to this stream and the thought came to wash my face.
I immediately stopped, pulled closer and bent over.
I didn’t wash my face but instead watched as my tears dripped & dropped in the river and got dragged along.
And for
this, I was paying dearly. I had lost my impact, my influence as a leader - clearly she had no respect for me.
After a few moments later I shouted!
What am I doing wrong?
The very same question I’d heard from so many parents of teenagers.
A voice, firm and soft, answered me straight away.
“if you want to change the world, go home and love your family”
I jabbed the water in the stream with my fist as if to beat that voice up!
I shouted back at the voice “I love my family”
The voice spoke again “then go home and practise what you preach”
Straight there was the revelation - I had not been practising what I preached!
And for this, I was paying dearly. I had lost my impact, my influence as a leader - clearly she had no respect for me.
For some strange reason I had thought I was invincible. That I didn’t need to implement the skills and strategies specific for parenting teenagers, the ones I had been teaching and encouraging parents to learn and take action on.
Ridiculous right?
Especially for me as an adolescent psychologist and parenting teenagers expert whom you’d think should know better having observed my colleagues and other “supposedly good families” lose their relationships with their teenagers to mental health problems and other forms of teenage problems. Surely I should have known betterobviously not.
As I walked back home that night from that run, I made a definite decision to apply the specific skills and strategies for parenting teenagers into action, I was ready for my family’s transformation.
And this intentional decision changed everything!
My relationship with teen daughter began to improve. In just a few months, respect
As I walked back home that night from that run, I made a definite decision to apply the specific skills and strategies for parenting teenagers into action, I was ready for my family’s transformation.
was restored. She now actually seeks advice from me and wants to listen to me. We have wholesome discussions and I’m so grateful to be able to make that positive impact in my daughter’s life.
I can today confidently say that I’m raising a mentally and highly effective teenager without losing my mind.
Here’s what’s even better, when I work with parents, I have the double whammy advantage of not only sharing the practical psychological strategies and expertise, but even more importantly heartfelt lived experience. I know the pain, fear and frustration of disconnection. BUT even better, I know the hope, the
relief, and the true joy of regaining your relationship with your teen.
Mother Teresa's words are true unending wisdom
“if you want to change the world, go home and love your family”
So, If you are ready to change the world, (i.e.) to raise a mentally healthy and highly effective teenager, then it's time to acquire and upscale skills and strategies for undertaking this most important leadership role.
My name is Angela Karanja, adolescent psychologist and world-renowned parenting teenagers expert and founder of Raising Remarkable Teenagers https://www. raisingremarkableteenagers. com/
Let’s normalise intentional parenting and leadership –that’s the only way we’ll raise mentally healthy and highly effective teenagers without losing our minds.
YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY IS NOT JUST ABOUT YOU BUT OF THOSE AROUND YOU
— BY ROSS SWAN
If you in your own business or contemplating starting one, then its important to remember your business journey not only has to be enjoyable for you, but so does it have to be for your stakeholders.
If you are currently revaluating where you are in your business or about to set up one, the first question you ask yourself is: “am I building a business for my own self-employment, or do I want to build a business that grows through the efforts of others?” The more enjoyable it is for them; the more likely things will happen for you. It is the goal of every business owner to make a profit and expand the business but defining how you plan to do that is crucial for not only you, but for your employees, suppliers, and customers.
Creating a purpose statement for your business, should clarify to all involved that you want to serve others, not exploit them. It’s important then, what you create is something that both you and your employees can live every day. It’s not just a few words that you frame and hang on a wall. It should indicate the way you go about doing things. It defines your desirable organisational culture that above all, has fun. Your business is not a separate ‘being’ to you, it’s an extension of you. What I mean here is
that the soul of the business needs to align with your values, principles, and purpose, so that you will feel a sense of pride in the products and services that you offer to your customers. If there is no congruency, then you will be in conflict with it. Not a recipe for success. Conflict creates bad energy and leads to burnout while congruency fuels enthusiasm and positive energy which is needed in spades to drive any business forward.
Determining your core values from your
purpose statement is the next step in providing clarity, and a continual reminder, for both you and your employees. Whilst saying ‘for you’ might sound obvious but I have seen many entrepreneurs over the years get so caught up in what they are doing day to day that they lose sight of the obvious. Walk the talk with those values so your employees feel empowered to do so as well. Have your core values be the catalyst for your daily conduct and performance, thus creating your company culture from the start. If you are already have a business operating, then it is never too late to readjust and move forward. Over the years I have had people say to me, “I will focus on my business culture once I have enough people to warrant the effort”. Well, you are only making it hard for yourself the longer you leave it. The key here is, no matter what life stage your business is in, it’s never too late to start.
The earlier you start living the values, the earlier you are establishing business habits that will take you forward.
The earlier you start living the values, the earlier you are establishing business habits that will take you forward. Whether you are a staff of one or many, you habits so be the influence to all.
Whether you are a staff of one or many, you habits so be the influence to all.
These values should form a critical part of job interviews and onboarding, so people are well aware of what’s expected of them at the beginning. You want this to be a factor why they join you or if they can’t live them, why they stay way. So, remember, creating the desired culture when you start a business is so much easier to do, then when it has staff. Be conscious of being clear with the words you use.
Providing clarity can often be achieved in fewer words and direct language but back it up with deep critical thought and analysis. That can be
tough sometimes because we often talk things up using many words fuelled by our enthusiasm. Stick to less words so people can clearly see the ‘wood from the trees.’
Being proud of your accomplishments, by operating the business based on purpose driven values and principles is one thing, but be equally proud of serving your customers’ needs. Having all stakeholders equally congruent is paramount to the success and value of the business.
A business is not only valued by what it offers customers, but it’s also valued on the people who are in it. Grow your people and you grow your business… that’s where the value lies.
Over the years I have seen quite a few business owners when trying to sell their business having to accept a lower price (or can’t sell it all) because they allowed themselves to be the focal point of the operational side of the business. Of course, the fewer the staff you have the more ‘operational’ you need to be. Just be always looking for
ways that operational engine room motors along with out you being heavily involved.
If I had a large cheque to spend on a business, I would choose one that doesn’t require a ‘seven day a week’ operational commitment. Why would I want to be signing up for that size effort when I could just invest the money and lie under a palm tree in the Maldives. To compound this, if the operational knowledge was centred around the former business owner it will disappear once they leave, adding to the problem I just purchased.
Equally, if you want to leave the business to your children, leave them a business that has a thriving performance driven eco system not something that requires continual babysitting. Being the engine of your business doesn’t add the value. Being the visionary, and occasionally stepping in when needed, does.
So, to summarise:
On one hand, the business is about you. That is, it must be congruent with your values and purpose, thus driving the
overriding strategy.
On the other hand, it’s about those around you, your stakeholders. Through them the business grows, from being a job you created for yourself, to a business of value, that you started but won’t finish.
Regularly reflect on making sure both these hands are clapping together and build a legacy to be proud of.
And most importantly- have FUN! If you can’t have that, then what’s the point.
ABOUT ROSS SWAN
CEO Soul Inspired Leadership Pte Ltd
CEO Orion Human Capital Pte Ltd
Ross is a perceptive and responsive leadership consultant, coach, and trainer, with broad experience in varied industries worldwide continually helping leaders to reduce their stress in managing people.
Ross is also a dynamic speaker and podcaster with outstanding skills in communication, presentation, training, teambuilding, and interpersonal
relations.
He works internationally with his projects encompassing many diverse cultural backgrounds.
Throughout the years, Ross has developed a growing desire to put an ongoing emphasis in bringing more soul into business and he believes that the most effective leaders stay true to their authenticity by being soul inspired and it starts by being able to lead yourself.
You can catch Ross at: www.soul-inspired-leadership. com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ rossswan1/
https://twitter.com/RossSwan2
Technology Column
Part 3 of 3 GENERATION PI
Reswizzling of Business Brought to you by Artificial Intelligence and Millennials
MARK D. DEMERS
SR. DIRECTOR, SAS
(Continued from the previous Edition)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as a transformational technology of our digital age.
Beyond traditional industrial automation and advanced robots, new generations of more capable autonomous systems appear in environments ranging from autonomous vehicles on roads to automated check-outs in grocery stores.
Machine learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will represent one of the most significant disruptions to your career. Despite the hype,
Machine learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will represent one of the most significant disruptions to your career.
AI is real and will not be ignored. Leading businesses are using machine learning to deliver quantifiable business value today. To succeed in a new AI-empowered world, businesses need more than new technology. Companies must focus on retraining the workforce and designing ethical uses of AI.
Over the past few years, we've developed artificially intelligent machines that can do many
things that used to require human minds: understanding speech, diagnosing disease, checking the terms of a contract, designing a mechanical part from scratch, even coming up with new scientific hypotheses that are supported by subsequent research. As this new software is embedded in hardware, we'll get self-driving cars, trucks, and combines; delivery and inspection drones; and robots of many kinds.
At the same time, these technologies will transform the nature of work and the workplace itself. Machines will be able to carry out more of the tasks done by humans, complement the work that humans do, and even perform some tasks that go beyond
what humans can do. As a result, some occupations will decline, others will grow, and many more will change. As intelligent machines and software are integrated more deeply into the workplace, workflows and workspaces will continue to evolve to enable humans and machines to work together.
More jobs than those lost or gained will be changed as machines complement human labor in the workplace.
One of the BEST analyses conducted in the past several years on AI… has been done by McKinsey. They collated and analyzed more than 400 use cases across 19 industries and nine business functions. They provided insight into the areas within specific sectors where deep neural networks can potentially create the most value, the incremental lift that these neural networks can generate compared with traditional analytics (below), and the voracious data requirements—in terms of volume, variety, and velocity— that must be met for this potential to be realized.
More jobs than those lost or gained will be changed as machines complement human labor in the workplace.
AI is automating and making its parent – Analytics smarter, better, faster, stronger, and making workers more productive.
McKinsey found that in 69 percent of the use cases studied, deep neural networks can be used to improve performance beyond that provided by other analytic techniques.
AUTONOMOUS
I grew up in a very small coal-mining town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was also considered farm country. I worked some summers on a farm doing various manual labor things. Even though I have been in the technology industry for nearly 40 years, it's still a bit inconceivable to think of a large farm tractor plowing
or planting the fields – without a driver behind the seat. But fully autonomous tractors have inspired vivid dreams and have become a reality for thousands of farmers worldwide.
Today, organizations are experiencing change at a pace like never before. If they weren't already on the path to digital transformation before 2020, they were forced into it rapidly due to COVID. Businesses need data and analytics – and they need to put them to work in new and different ways.
Alarmists who think that every new technology will be the end of humanity are wrong.
As life increases in complexity, convenience is the default setting for most people.
As AI and automation benefit businesses and society, we will need to prepare and embrace for significant disruptions to work.
About half of the activities (not jobs) carried out by workers could be automated.
Many organizations start their AI Journey by creating efficiencies in existing business processes. However, the real win for AI comes when companies use AI to perform tasks that were difficult or impossible to do in the past. For example, AI can be trained to recognize signs of specific diseases in Xrays using ComputerVision and Neural Networks or quickly sort through thousands of resumes to find potential job applicants without bias. Moreover, autonomous driving can only happen with AI.
Many of those who are optimistic about the IoT's future argued that a significant
driver of IoT adoption would be people's desire for convenience and for goods and services facilitating a low-friction life in an environment of accelerating complexity, information overload, and the apparent shrinkage of time.
All of this does not mean we do not need humans. A great example of this is airplanes which have been self-flying for a long time yet we still see when we get on an airplane a pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit. Honestly, people would get off a plane if on the Public Address system a flight attendant said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for flying with us today.
We are piloted today by Rob Ott an autonomous Robot.” What if a supply chain saw what it needed to do before you did? Without a doubt, proven out by the recent debacles associated with supply and demand shortages and product containers sitting on ships in ports due to lack of workers to unload them, smarter supply chains are needed. More intelligent logistics are required in order to optimize drivers and trucks to transport them. What if the supply chain could sense, anticipate, even preempt these issues?
A product is suddenly recalled.
The intelligent supply chain can alert stores and even pull and replace products on shelves with comparables. A service technician is dispatched to come to your home to repair a broken appliance. A smart service chain knows the calledin issue and diagnoses what repair parts to have on the van before it leaves the service center so that service can be guaranteed fixed right on the first call – one and done.
AUTONOMIC
The mere access to gazillions of petabytes of data enables an organization to make better decisions.
By making better, faster decisions, organizations can differentiate themselves in markets and stand out for their customers, improve lives, and have the potential even to change the world.
But it takes more than just data. Everyone now needs powerful analytics and artificial intelligence to turn data into actionable insight. Only when data is transformed
By making better, faster decisions, organizations can differentiate themselves in markets and stand out for their customers, improve lives, and have the potential even to change the world.
into relevant insights can people harness it to become knowledge and decisions
that drive profitable business decisions.
Companies are now faced with thousands of digital decisions every day. Traditional techniques to data discovery and insights won’t be good enough for what the “universe” has in store for us people. We will need more rapid data discovery. Hypothesizing and synthetic data generation will be huge in helping organizations tackle massive rapid onslaughts of new issues,
be they fraud, healthcarerelated, public safety, sustainability, etc.
CLOSING – THE COMING “GREATEST” GENERATION – GEN PI
Just like the human body has autonomic abilities that "act or occur involuntarily," we need AI to be embedded into and create whole new processes or workflows that then not only operate autonomously they also become self-learning and auto-correcting.
GEN PI POWERED BY AI DOESN’T GET BORED OR TIRED. IT IS ALWAYS ON.
Talk about “work from home”
Gen PI works from anywhere all the time. It’s always learning – in fact, it demands more data.
Lack of rest, personal stress, boredom from repetitive tasks, and even "hangovers" are particularly human problems (compared with machines).
For instance, staying up all night impacts your work performance the next day. On the other hand, computers
While machines can also be damaged or destroyed doing dangerous work, they are not nearly as fragile and are built to withstand enormous amounts of pressure, heat, airborne toxins, and other threats.
never need to sleep. No matter what, their operational ability is the same (unless the power is out and then with Grids and failover, redundancy, they can still work like nothing ever happened).
Similarly, repeating the same motion and doing the same thing every day gets dull for a human. That’s what machines were made for.
Computers are Less Errorprone Than Humans
As humans, it's in our nature to make mistakes. Computers, on the other hand, are not susceptible to human error. They receive instructions and execute them exactly as spelled out in the code.
AI will take over jobs that require copying, pasting, transcribing, and typing. At the very least, a new AI co-worker might be there checking your work.
AI-enabled Machines Can Perform Dangerous Tasks
Jobs like mining, factory work, and machine assembly all expose workers to a certain amount of danger. Whether it's dangerous fumes, falling objects, or extreme temperatures at work, there will always be circumstances and situations where people can be seriously injured or killed.
AI can be used in manufacturing not only to make processes more efficient, but to also keep human workers out of harm's way. Opportunities to leverage AI and machine learning in manufacturing include product development, logistics optimization, predictive maintenance, and, of course, robotics.
While machines can also be damaged or destroyed doing dangerous work, they are not nearly as fragile and are built to withstand enormous amounts
of pressure, heat, airborne toxins, and other threats.
AI MACHINES ARE CHEAPER IN THE LONG RUN
While the upfront cost of building and training an AI machine is high, the overall cost of operation is much lower than paying a human to do the same job, according to the APA. Running a machine just takes electricity and occasional maintenance. To hire a human for a job, it takes resources to find and train them, not to mention the yearly salary and benefits that must be paid out.
United States President Lyndon Johnson was prescient in this regard, writing a half a century ago: Automation is not our enemy. Our enemies are ignorance, indifference, and inertia. Automation can be the ally of our prosperity if we will just look ahead, if we will understand what is to come, and if we will set our course wisely after proper planning. Peter Drucker once said that trying to predict the future is “like trying to drive down a
Computers are Less Error-prone Than Humans
As humans, it's in our nature to make mistakes. Computers, on the other hand, are not susceptible to human error.
country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window.” It’s also worth noting that it was also Drucker who said “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Firms that embrace the fact that generations are leaving their workforces and that Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) can help them “rearrange or reorganize or restructure something in a useful, relevant way” – Reswizzle - will come out of a potentially bad situation in a place where competitors are left behind and profits grow.
MY HOPE AND PROMISE
In this column, you can find the simple truth that ultimately, we are in control of our lives by virtue of the choices we make and how we respond to events, even though at times it seems we have little or no control over what is happening to us. It's easy to lose sight of that truth when we are embroiled in events happening all around us, like losing a loved one or friend, health issues, career challenges, and financial setbacks. It's hard to see the path we need to follow amidst all the obscurities. My aim is to give insights and hope through stories that just maybe can not only give you a more objective view of circumstances but also help guide us to the path on which we need to be.
Mark Demers leads an expert global team of industry practice directors, industry marketing, principal industry consultants and thought leaders that drive vision and product direction, messaging and support sales for Industry-centered SAS products and solutions. Mark and his team work closely with SAS’ customers, sales, Partners, R&D, and technical staff around the world, to position, market and sell SAS solutions for Government, Banking, Insurance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Energy, and Education and Communications sectors using analytics.
MARK D. DEMERS ABOUT
SAS is the world leader in analytics. It’s internationally recognized for providing an innovative, supportive workplace that blends different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and cultures from almost 60 countries around the world where all ideas are encouraged, and everyone is respected for their unique contributions and abilities. SAS’ employees empower, encourage and inspire women to pursue excellence in STEM and their careers and fulfillment in their personal lives. Employees are encouraged to expand professional networks, showcase thought leaders and attract women to careers in science and technology.
Demers’ decades of management experience include executive positions
at several public and private companies prior to SAS. Mark serves as Board member for an emerging innovative Company – Visual Farms, audaciously inspired to help strike out world hunger. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University.
SUPPORTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN GLOBALLY (03RD APRIL 2021)
Powerful Global Women Foundation in collaboration Royalty Kids Montessori School present A one day easter retreat for children and teenagers. Theme of the program was: The Total Child. The program includes reason for the season, cinema, POP quiz, music, baking and losts more. Mrs. Josephine, Phillip Itsuokor (Proprietress, Royalty Kids) was present as host. Over 100 children were in attendance during the program.
POWERFUL GLOBAL WOMEN FOUNDATION
CHILDREN RETREAT EVENT (12TH SEPTEMBER 2020)
We had various workshops for them during the gathering. We also gave facemasks each child that was in attendance. Over one hundred children attended the event. They were all fed as part of our tradition to do. A massive thank you to Ross Swan for supporting our mission.
This project was led by our amazing Vice-president (Mrs Josephine Itsuokor).
POWERFUL GLOBAL WOMEN FOUNDATION
COVID-19 PROJECTS
As part of PGWF mission to support more families during this challenged time, we have been able to hold two projects (one in April and the other on 13th July 2020). We distributed food supplies to several families and orphanage homes.
Our team lead by Mrs Josephine Itsuokor (Vice-president of PGWF) made these projects a success. We will continue to reach out to more families through the support of our global partners.
VICE PRESIDENT
MRS JOSPHINE PHILIP ITSUOKOR
Powerful Global Women Foundation (Powerhouse Charity) was founded in 20l6 in Nigeria, West Africa, by Lady Anita Duckworth-Bradshaw. The core objective of this organization is to transform the lives of women and children, through various projects centred around the need of the service group.
In 20l6 Lady Anita single handedly fed over 400 children as part of “project feed l000 children globally”, and held an empowerment conference for the women. Through this project, so many women have gone to do great things with the knowledge they gained from the event.
She recently held a life transforming event for women in Lagos, Nigeria as part of International women’s month celebration 20l8. The turnout was very encouraging. She is working towards supporting more families to keep their children and wards in school through” project back-to-school” starting in September 20l8.
We are seeking for global support from individuals and organisations who would love to be a part of this service to humanity.
To support us, please visit: www.powerhouseglobalwomen.com or email womanthepowerhouse@gmail.com or powerhouseglobalmag@gmail.com
CHARITY
PROJECT: As part of our Global Annual commitment, we were able to successfully complete project feed the children 2019 mission. Over 150 children were fed at this year’s event. Powerful Women Global Foundation (PGWF ) is a charity set up by Lady Anita Duckworth-Bradshaw in 2016. The service users are women and children. To support PGWF, please email womanthepowerhouse@gmail.com
