Like a drop of grade 2 Out First Class taught Leadership

My Father Leadership

The decline of social structures in America today who maintain families, churches and communities together is largely attributed to the lack of fathers at home and ineffective leaders. As I reflect on the importance of quality leadership, I think of my father, Johnson Kituku Musoo.

He served in King African Rifles (when Kenya was colonized by the British) and left to start a small business to Kangundo. Its total energy was in that business. At the end of several buildings owned, operated several businesses. His hard work has transformed our living structure from a unit we shared with rodents, snakes and ticks to a compound with twelve bedrooms and a water fountain.

My father was a visionary. He knew the future was bright for his children, if we had an education. He has made us aware in a consistent manner. He encouraged us to study and did everything possible to eliminate all that he sees as an obstacle in making his vision a reality. We were not allowed to go to the movies until we were in high school. He thought shoes, long pants, or even watches were destructive to young minds.

The ability to lead and inspire ordinary people to do what seems remarkable is what sets apart from my dad. I remember one morning in November 1974 when my younger brother and I were to sit for the entrance exam for high school. Before we left home, my father woke up with a towel wrapped around him without a shirt and said: "My children, you have been preparing for this day. This day will be a turning point for a better future. Think What can go right. "I have never forgotten the color of the cloth, his father was leaning on the wall and those words -" Think of what can go right. "

Word of dad meant everything to me. I had seen many times when I brought my report card home, and I was humiliated by having me spend six years in three degrees. In January 1975 the results were announced and my brother and I were admitted to public high school. Dad took us to the University of Nairobi door and said: "My children, that is where men and women knives to cut their share of the national cake." That's where both were admitted six years later, after managing two high school exams that eliminated hundreds of thousands of students.

Another area in which my father has shown the wisdom of the leadership was when we worked in our garden. We had gardens of coffee and corn. Dad knew what he wanted to be completed and how long it should take. At about 4:00 pm, it appeared that with extra help, and sometimes with food. It would also clear his throat, just before arriving, to announce his presence - because we are not engaged in the discourse of young people. He was found sitting there! Good leaders try to capture their employees to do something good.

Dad was a lifelong learner. Due to circumstances beyond his control, he has not had a chance to go to school for more than two or three years. He taught himself to read. He never used a calculator to monitor its inventory or manage his finances - everything has been written by hand after the mental arithmetic.

One thing that surprised me was to see my father reading books by Ngugi wa Thiongo literature. I was in junior high school class and Ngugi our books were works of literature class. I knew that it was difficult for him to read English in books, but I was impressed by her determination - I learned that learning is a lifelong project.

There are no words to describe the mood of celebration of my father and when my brother and I passed the national exams. While my mother pondered his joy in his heart, my father literally let the "world" knows that the success of his children - which in essence was his own success. He would call his friends and will host an evening party without us. Then he came home and praise us for our efforts. When we were admitted to the University of Nairobi, Dad gave us each a gift of 5,000 Kenyan shillings (about $ 400.00 then, more than a monthly salary of primary school) .......