Josphat wows mentoring forum with career talk

Three weeks ago, my CEO called me into his office and told me, “Josphat, I need you to represent me somewhere.”

There was a time when I used to get flattered whenever such requests came my way, but nowadays I feel used. Representing my boss at events does not in any way contribute to my end of year appraisal.

In the past, whenever I have represented him, the event organisers never hesitate to show their disappointment that the CEO did not show up. They make it seem like I am a poor substitute or an impostor.

Since I value my job, I dared not voice my protest so instead I said, “Where do you need me to go?”

He wanted me to speak at a mentoring conference and talk to young people about their careers. I was taken aback and said, “But, I am not as successful as you are. You are at the top of your game.”

One of the things I have learnt about the CEO is that he likes praise and enjoys being flattered. He said, “But so are you, look at where you have come from? You came from the village and soon you will be CEO.”

I chose to use that line to flatter him some more. “I am nowhere ready to become a CEO, especially one as visionary as you, sir,” I said.

This opened a flood of self-praise from the boss. He spent about 20 minutes telling me about his career and how he had worked hard to get where he is today.

I told him that I would need his guidance to craft a message worthy of a CEO. He laughed and said, “I can help you there with some of the lessons but you will have to deliver the talk.”

To be honest, prepping with the CEO was a learning experience. He told me about the importance of having a clear life vision statement of what I want to achieve. I have never written down my vision statement though I am clear that I want to own and not rent a house. I want my children to go Ivy League schools and I want to retire by 50.

Listening to the CEO, I realised that I was off the mark in paving way for my success and that I needed to deploy some of the advice.

I was able to put together 10 points to share with the students. I even managed to use Gacheri as my sounding board to determine whether my message would reach the audience. She was pleased and told me, “You are so smart,” leaving me feeling good with myself. I realised I was no different from the boss.

On the day of the talk, I showed up at the school bright and early. The head teacher introduced me and listening to him I wondered if he was talking about me. He said I was “one of the most successful men from my region and I am the one who guides all the business for my company.”

I decided not to raise any protest about this gross exaggeration and went ahead to wow the audience with the points from the CEO. I was stunned that at the end of the session there were many questions. There were some good questions like, “How does one deal with peer pressure?” “Which careers pay the most money?”

I was also taken aback by some of the questions, “How do I shake off addiction to weed?” And “What is the best age to get married?”

Strangely enough, I found myself responding with some good points that had the audience laughing. As I drove off after the session, I felt pleased with myself but I made a pledge that I needed to sort out my vision statement first or else I would end up as a lifetime failure.