I joined General Electric post my MBA as a project development analyst. 6 years down the line, I have had the opportunity of living and working in several continents in various capacities working on deals that matter to society. One of my biggest take-aways from the MBA program was the ‘can do’ attitude and structured approach to solving business problems that is inculcated in every LBS student.

It is difficult to put Africa in a box. Every country has its unique challenges and so requirements to succeed in each might differ. However, the basics of success irrespective of the continent is your ability to understand the customer’s challenges and creatively come up with the best solution that can solve that problem. Every other thing can be worked out. Might be harder to implement your solutions in Africa, but it can be done.

I have had to invest in building my emotional intelligence over time. Making deliberate effort to understand my colleagues and relating with each one in the way they prefer. The trick has been striking a balance between being empathetic and being assertive in other to deliver on the job without hurting people.

I try to understand the energy industry (regulations, stakeholders, competitors etc.) and how our solutions can be structured to give our customers the best outcomes in the different regions. In addition, I also try to understand some of the cultural nuances in the different regions before any in person meeting in order to have a genuine connection with the customer.

One of my favorite quotes is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going”. First make up your mind to be the best in your field. Secondly, don’t settle at trying, show tangible results.