I'm working in the Ministry of Finance in Cameroon as the sub-director for the Chief of Taxation Office. This position requires a lot of managerial and leadership skills as well as technical qualifications. As the youngest executive amongst all my employees, I manage my teams with wisdom, sense and sensibility, and passion.
In 2007, I became the youngest civil servant in the country at age 19, and I dreamed of a long and successful career in government. But, as time went on, I felt increasingly frustrated by bureaucracy and a hierarchical culture that promoted seniority rather than competence.
Despite having several jobs within my organization over the years, I had no more incentives, my commitment decreased, and I was still feeling unhappy. One day, sitting in my office, I remembered this quote of Martin Luther King, Jr., "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." Thus, I decided to sign up for Developing Yourself as a Leader—Virtual.
I really enjoyed each of the sessions. But, two stood out: the case study of JCB was a revelation of the true meaning of passion, and the session with Professor Elberse was also empowering. I still remember her quote, "True superstars never just play the game, they change how the game is played."
It was like a dream to interact with my classmates and talk with people from all over the world in this futuristic classroom. It was great to hear the Professors and the participants say "Good morning, good evening, good afternoon, and good night, depending on your location!"
Networking opportunities with class cards and simulations exercises were effective for sharing our insights, having discussions, and solving leadership and managerial issues in real-world situations.
I'm feeling more confident in knowing that a career is a story with twists and turns, and ups and downs. Before Developing Yourself as a Leader—Virtual I was a skillful manager, but now I'm an authentic leader, braver, and open to criticism. When I'm in my government office, I remember that I have to accept challenges, adapt, find my purpose, and act!
Managing Your Career Development is rewarding but demanding. Most importantly, you should avoid being passive. But some other advice for future participants would be:
