Unsolicited Corporate Advice

Category: Uncategorized

  • Upgrade Yourself Relentlessly

    Sometimes people start working and immediately stop learning – as if the qualification that got them the job will sustain them until retirement.

    Corporate moves fast. Industries change. Competitors are always improving. If you are not upgrading yourself, someone else hungrier, sharper, and more informed will pass you.

    I recently engaged with the former MD of Coca-Cola and he said “There is no such as too much hard work for personal development”

    1. You are work in progress – permanently. Every level will require a new version of you.
    2. Ignorance is not bliss in corporate- it’s liability. Someone, somewhere, benefits from what you don’t know. Decisions will be made without you simply because you don’t understand the context.
    3. There are many ways to upgrade yourself: Take short courses and certificates, Read about your sector, improve your business vocabulary, Follow conversations shaping your profession.
    4. Rest. Breaks matter. Gratitude matters. You can’t grow or absorb anything when you’re exhausted.
    5. You can’t wing it forever. At some point, the gaps will show.

  • Consistency is Character, Not Emotions

    I was reminded of something powerful this week while listening to Buli Makhubo’s podcast: Consistency is character, not emotions.

    We all deliver when the work is exciting and the team vibes are perfect. But careers are built in the in-between:

    • when the task falls outside your role,
    • when the project is not your favourite,
    • when you’re paired with your least favourite colleague.

    Stress, disappointment, clashing styles are part of real work with real humans. When emotions run high, consistency can slip. So on those occasions, let character lead output, not mood. And try to go an extra mile.

    Sometimes, the extra mile where you stand today builds range, reputation, and readiness for where you’re going next. Again, God does not waste an experience.

    Perhaps we need to define our minimum deliverable standard for each commitment, even on a bad day – A clear fallback for what you’ll deliver when time, energy or emotions aren’t on your side.

    And lastly, I hope your colleagues allow you to say “I am at 60% today, here’s my plan to still deliver.”

    NB: This is not about stoicism or pretending you’re fine. It’s about choosing a standard that your future self can trust.

  • Whoever has access to your ear, has access to your mind

    In the workplace, we talk a lot about skills, performance, and results. But we rarely speak about discernment- the ability to choose wisely whose voice gets to you.

    The truth is people you listen to can shape how you think, feel and show up at work. So:

    1. Guard Your Proximity – Not every colleague deserves to be your advisor. Some speak from experiences that have nothing to do with your path.
    2. Protect Your Mental Space- If someone constantly brings doubt, drama, or discouragement into your space, it will eventually affect how you think and how you work.
    3. Audit Your Influence – You are allowed to adjust accordingly.

    NB: Protecting your mind does not mean you should only listen to people who make you feel good. Discernment is not about avoiding discomfort. And be able to discern good things too.

  • Don’t be a victim of your closed mouth

    Don’t be a victim of your closed mouth

    As the year begins, sit down with your line manager and share your growth goals. Go in prepared. Know the skills you want to build and the opportunities you want to pursue. And say them out loud. Frame the conversation in a way that also allows your manager to highlight opportunities that are already on the horizon this year. In addition, they often know what’s coming long before it becomes visible to you, which means speaking up early helps you position yourself for those opportunities before they pass.

    Remember: an opportunity must be seized with the lifetime of the opportunity. Closed mouths don’t get fed – and in corporate, closed mouths sometimes stay stagnant.

    Most importantly, “the power of life and death is in your tongue.” Speak up and make sure you speak life to your corporate journey.

    NB: After sharing your vision, set up regular check-ins. One conversation is not enough.

    Shoutout to Monde – we accidentally had the same brainwave. He echoed the exact thing I’d written. Great minds… or same stress levels.

  • You Are a Brand—Be Visible

    You Are a Brand—Be Visible

    We joke about saying “nothing from my side” or keeping cameras off in meetings—but long-term, that won’t work.

    Once you get the agenda, take a few minutes to read on the topic. Even asking ChatGPT for strategic questions can help. You were invited for a reason. Yes, even if you are in operations and the topic is finance, it still concerns you. One day, you might lead that division. Start learning the language now by listening and engaging.

    As Samu would say, “God does not waste an experience.”

    Don’t leave meetings unclear just because you’re afraid to ask a “silly” question.

    Some days, visibility is your voice. Other days, it’s your posture.

    NB: Use discernment—visibility matters, but don’t overdo it.

    PASS THE BATON FOUNDATION – LERATO MOEPYE

  • Hello world!

    Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!