Wise words from women who have walked the path

DOROTHY GHETTUBA

Dorothy Ghettuba is the co-Founder, CEO  and executive producer, Spielworks Media. Dorothy quit her job in venture capital financing five years ago and successfully followed her passion in the television world.

Saturday Magazine: What is your definition of success?

Dorothy: To me, success is a journey. It starts with understanding one’s purpose, followed by the pursuit of that purpose, through the highs and the lows and striving to be better every single day. In short, success is a habit that is molded by a purpose-driven way of life.

SM: From your journey, what sort of mental attitude does it take for one to be successful?

Dorothy: Two things are key for me: commitment and tenacity. Commitment means that I have to follow through from thought to action and do whatever it takes to get it done. I know it sounds a tad simplistic because this journey is often fraught with setbacks, but this is exactly why tenacity is key. I absolutely refuse to give up. It is not an option for me.

SM: How do you carve out time for yourself from your busy schedule and what do you do during this time?

Dorothy: My time is early in the morning when most of the world is asleep. I set aside two hours for myself, between 4 and 6am, before the daily distractions take over. I read, I think, I write, I meditate and I pray.

SM: Where do you find inspiration?

Dorothy: I find my inspiration in my purpose. I truly believe that my purpose is to use my creativity and business sense to motivate and help others be the best they can be. There is deep joy in seeing the potential in another, harnessing it and watching it grow.

SM: How is your social life?

Dorothy: Until recently, I had no social life (so I) stopped working weekends. I take time out for a good read, travelling, watching movies (which some might argue is work since that is the industry I am in) but mostly hanging out with friends and having a hearty laugh. I surround myself with positive people who edify my life.

SM: What myths do people hold in regard to getting to the top?

Dorothy: I think the greatest myth about getting to the top is that there is an actual ‘top’ – that there is a peak to summit and when you get there, you look down below and nod in perfect contentment while patting yourself on the back. The way I see it, there is no ‘top’. Life is ephemeral and fleeting. Those joyful moments, are the ‘tops’ for me. I am learning to be present, to stop and look at where I am, to take stock of how far I have come and to appreciate everything I have accomplished and celebrate those things and then move on.

SM: Do you ever feel overwhelmed or fatigued?

Dorothy: I do get overwhelmed and I most certainly get exhausted. You are of no use to yourself or anyone else when you are crashed and burnt out. So I have learnt to make time for rest.

SM: Do you ever feel like a fraud in your field?

Dorothy: Not at all. Do I doubt myself? No I don’t. Do I question some choices I have made? Absolutely, I think everyone does.

SM: How do you handle your weak aspects?

Dorothy: I believe we are constantly evolving beings. I have plenty of weaknesses but I have also learnt that without those weak aspects, there can be no growth in our lives.

SM: What behaviour in the current generation of women do you frown upon?

Dorothy: I think as women, we have to work a bit more at being supportive of each other and celebrating each other. It is in building each other that we can grow. It is in giving that we will receive. We must also learn to stand up and speak up so we can be seen and yes, so we can be heard. When you have something to say, then say it.  If there is an opportunity, grab it.

SM: Have you encountered power politics?

Dorothy: I have encountered all sorts of machinations and I just do not have time for them. I refuse to play those games. I purposely step back and I refuse to engage because engaging means wasting my time and energy.

SM: What’s the one invaluable piece of advice you would give to a woman seeking inspiration?

Dorothy: There is a redemptive power in making a choice. So decide who you are going to be, decide how it is going to be and decide how you are going to do it, then do it. 

AGNES ZANI

Senator (Dr) Agnes Zani is a nominated senator. She is also a scholar, a career educationist and before her nomination to the senate, a lecturer at the University of Nairobi’s Sociology department. 

SM: What is your definition of success?

Dr. Zani: Being the best you can be in whatever you choose. This entails understanding what you are meant to do, refining this understanding and then implementing it.

SM: From your journey, what sort of mental attitude does it take for one to be successful?

Dr. Zani: A positive attitude. It’s also important that you learn from mistakes so that you can rectify the wrongs. A healthy mental attitude that allows you to understand where the mistakes are coming from so that you can contextualise the effect you want.

SM: Everyone needs introspection in order to find balance in all their life aspects. How do you carve out time for yourself from your busy schedule?

Dr. Zani: For me, it usually is a minute or two while on transit or a few hours during the weekend. Once it is a habit it comes naturally.

SM: Where do you find inspiration?

Dr. Zani: In religion, in contemplation and by referring to role models who have achieved their goals.

SM: How is your social life?

Dr. Zani: I socialise with relatives and friends when I am not working. I like going to weddings or to just sit and chat.

SM: What myths do people hold in regard to getting to the top and how can these be dispelled?

Dr. Zani: That especially for women to be successful, one area of their lives will suffer. Balance is achievable.

SM: Do you have moments of doubt?

Dr. Zani: Yes, as a human being this will happen. When it does I take a rest. Some time off helps to get back the needed vigour.

SM: How do you handle your weak aspects?

Dr. Zani: Every time there is a gap in action or lack of it, it takes a long time for me to dust myself up and move on. I have been consciously trying to move on from this pattern, it is not easy.

SM: Is there anything, any behaviour or attitude, in the current generation of women that you frown upon?

Dr. Zani: Being too busy especially to have time with children and for some women, not defending and protecting their children within the family set up.

SM: What’s the one invaluable piece of advice you would give to a woman seeking inspiration?

Dr. Zani: Believe in yourself.

JOANNE MWANGI

Joanne Mwangi is the founder and CEO of Professional Marketing Services Group. (PMS GROUP) She is a marketing giant with over 20 years of experience. 

SM: How do you define success?

Joanne: Failure is not an option; the options are to succeed or to succeed. Your goal must drive you enough for you to succeed. You must move every mountain or find your way around it, not giving up, not giving in. That way, I think anybody can succeed. Therefore, I can define success as falling more than once and still getting up and moving on with lots of enthusiasm.

SM: From your journey, what sort of mental attitude does it take for one to be successful?

Joanne: Positivity is and has been the way to go. Attitude determines altitude. One of the core ingredients of success is having a positive attitude. Setting goals shows focus and is a plus.

SM: How do you carve out time for yourself from your busy schedule for introspection?

Joanne: During my start up, I invested years and years of working 16 to 18 hours daily. Now it is easy as I have systems and structures that work, my team members are competent, and they can deliver whether I am present or not. I love music, dancing, taking walks and rigorous hikes to clear my mind and enjoy nature. On Sunday’s I attend, the 9am mass and spend the rest of the day doing fun things with my family, especially with my youngest son, as the other two are now adults.

SM: Where do you find inspiration?

Joanne: I enjoy reading books and talking to people, as I know that people are the richest source of knowledge, and this keeps me moving and growing.

SM: Socially, who do you surround yourself with?

Joanne: I surround myself with family, friends, acquaintances and businesses colleagues as they all contribute to the joy of life. They add value and make success a shared win that can be sustainable. My friends are people whom I can trust to always have my back, people who are not afraid of telling me the truth even if it hurts, and those whom I have a lot in common with.

SM: What myths do people hold in regard to getting to the top?

Joanne: Most people believe that to get on top, and especially in this country, one has to know powerful people. This is not true. In fact, most people I know have singly struggled to be where they are now. It is working hard, working smart and having a positive attitude in all you do that will get you to wherever it is that you want to get.

SM: Do you ever feel overwhelmed or fatigued?

Joanne: No, I have never felt overwhelmed or fatigued in my line of work. They say that one never gets tired of doing what they like. I am passionate about my job, I do anything to make it work, and I enjoy doing it. Just like in life, when you love something, you direct all your energy and efforts towards bringing out the best in it and rarely do you get tired.

SM: How do you handle your weak aspects?

Joanne: I strongly believe in teamwork. This has really helped me handle areas that I am not strong in and this is my best learning strategy.

SM: Is there a behaviour or attitude, in the current generation of women that you frown upon?

Joanne: The “cannot do” attitude that many women have put on is so disheartening although there are a handful who have decided to hold their heads high. Women give all sorts of excuses as to why they are not where they would want to be in life but it all lies in their attitude. If they embrace a “can-do” attitude, then the world would be the best place to be in for them and for everyone, as women are the backbone of the society.

SM: Have you encountered power politics?

Joanne: Yes, I have, severally, but I make my own decisions. Hard work, determination and a sound knowledge of the area of work is critical. I do not let people who have no idea of where I have come from drag me around like they want to.

SM: What is the one invaluable piece of advice you would give to a woman seeking inspiration?

Joanne: No man is an island so as young women strive to succeed, I wish they would focus more on working together, forming alliances and partnerships to speed up growth and achieve bigger success faster through synergies with other people- both male and female as well as local and foreign. Second, remember true inspiration lies deep within you. They say that whether you believe that you can or you cannot, either way, you are right.

DOROTHY OOKO

Dorothy Ooko is the communications and public affairs manager for East & Francophone Africa at Google. She is also a social techie. 

SM: How would you define success?

Dorothy: Success is about the difference you make in people’s lives as US First Lady Michelle Obama said: Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives. Have I made a difference? Therein lies my success

SM: From your journey, what sort of mental attitude does it take for one to attain the goals one has set for herself?

Dorothy: Passion, perseverance and a great “can-do” attitude. 

SM: How do you carve out time from your busy schedule for introspection?

Dorothy: Quiet time with God is how I soul search. I read the Bible or listen to the Daily Audio Bible app and pray when I am driving. I also go to the gym religiously where I run, weight lift and dance rhumba.

SM: Where do you find inspiration?

Dorothy: Recently in London we had training on presentation skills. Before this session, I would have probably told you nature. However one of my great take-away from that session was becoming a better listener. I learnt about the importance of not only listening but understanding the other’s point of view before reacting. When you listen, really listen, you will become inspired by everyone around you.

SM: What kind of people do you surround yourself with?

Dorothy: Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” I am particular about the company I keep. I have friends from very different professional backgrounds, my peers in the industry who inspire me, those who enjoy working out and keeping fit as we are committed to the same values, my prayer partners and lastly, a small group of young people who keep me young at heart!

SM: What myths do people hold in regard to getting to the top and how can these be dispelled?

Dorothy: The greatest, that you need advanced degrees from well-known universities. Having a degree is a great and helps you stand out, however it’s also all about how you present yourself, what you can deliver, and actually contributing to situations that’ll determine your success and/or potential.

SM: Do you ever feel overwhelmed or fatigued or like a fraud in your field?

Dorothy: Yes. I feel overwhelmed with work and I realise I am not that great at multi-tasking as people think. Once or twice, I have felt like a fraud when I heard someone say that I had left a mark in their life and I thought they were just saying this and it can’t have been true. This has to do with the confidence that especially we women lack in our achievements.

SM: How do you handle your weak aspects?

Dorothy: I have been lucky to have colleagues who can be brutally honest and shine the light so I could see the weak aspects and work on them. I remember one of my GMs telling me that I wasn’t talking at meetings and no one knew what I was capable of, except him. I needed to let the others know that I was part of the organisation and I had a voice. That changed my life as I became more present in meetings

SM: Is there anything, any behaviour or attitude, in the current generation of women that you frown upon?

Dorothy: I think women generally lack confidence and even when they are really good, they don’t believe they are as good as they should be. If there is one attitude we should be inculcating in our girls and young women, it is confidence. We need to believe more in ourselves than we do. We need to dare more and take more risks.

SM: Have you encountered power politics from either men or women and how did you deal with it?

Dorothy: I try to steer clear from power politics. However it is important that the right people are aware of the work you’re doing and that they can vouch for your work. This is where networking is critical to your advancement in the corporate life.

SM: What’s the one invaluable piece of advice you would give to a woman seeking inspiration?

Dorothy: If you want to be successful, know what you are doing, love what you are doing and believe in what you’re doing. You hold that key!