ADVICE FROM A BILLIONAIRE MENTOR: DR. LEO STAN EKEH
“Some people have core competence more than you, seek them.”
The trick behind a boxer throwing deadly punches and tearing his opponents down with devastating jabs is; If you search well: The work of a good coach.
All skilled footballers you see on the football pitch must have been drilled by a good coach. Every athlete who wants to be steps ahead of his peers sits at the feet of a good coach, receiving instructions which he can put to use.
But something surprises me. It is amazing that in business and in life generally, only few people attach themselves to coaches. People prefer to go solo when they want to start a business. Is it surprising then that such businesses don’t last long, shortly after take-off? My question is: Does it have to be so?
Why do I need a coach, some may be tempted to ask? Very simple. The person who entered the forest first is more accustomed to and protected by it than the one who entered after him.
A good coach is the man who can make hard things easy. He is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.
One of the best ways to learn from others is to watch them do what they do. I’m reminded of the story of a wise man and the scorpion.
An old man saw a scorpion drowning and decided to pull it out from the water. He calmly extended his hand to reach the creature. When he did, the scorpion stung him. With the effect of the pain, the old man let go the creature and it fell back into the water. The man realizing that the scorpion was drowning again, got back and tried to rescue it, but then again it stung him. He let go of it again.
A young boy standing by, approached the old man and said, “Excuse me sir, you are going to hurt yourself trying to save the evil-vicious creature; why do you insist? Don’t you realize that each time you try to help the scorpion, it stings you?”
The man replied, “The nature of the scorpion is to sting and mine is to help. My nature will not change in helping the scorpion.”
So, the man thought for a while and used a leaf from a nearby tree and pulled the scorpion out from the water and saved its life.
Learn from those who are better than you. Do not change your nature, but you can add or subtract from it. If someone is willing to teach you, just take precautions. None of us is a perfect being. Always seek the positive side of those who agree to add value to your life. Some pursue happiness while others create it. Let your conscience be your guide in whatever you do.
The message I want to give to all my students and would-be students is: you are important, you will surely succeed, and I will not give up on you. Never!
You will succeed. Shalom!
NB: First published February 2014