Impressive. One word that could describe Dr Lance Mambondiani’s LinkedIn profile.I,on the other hand,was beyond impressed.I became even more curious to know the story behind the man.The maverick at the helm of what I believe is the most innovative banks in Zimbabwe,Steward Bank.I’m sure most people who attended Mentorship were there because they wanted to find out what it takes to be the kind of leader Dr Lance is.Good thing is Dr Lance was honest (mostly brutally honest)about his journey.
I’m a curious person as is.I look at people,even people in the street, and wonder what their story is.So,if Dr Lance had decided to scratch the surface,I would have been super sad.The tale from Zhombe to London deserves a book and blockbuster movie because it is a Slumdog Millionaire kind of story.An inspiring rendition of beating the odds,shaming the critics,hard work and leaps of faith.His story reminded me of the novel I Will Always Write Back,a rags to riches story based on the real life of experience of Martin Ganda, a Zimbabwean business strategist who has worked at the prestigious Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank New York.People like these serve as a reminder of the endless possibilities that come with never giving up.
Dr Lance chose a few nuggets to share with a very receptive audience.I honestly wish we had more time.Dr Lance should’ve kept talking..Anyway,here are the 5 principles for success in your field of choice;
THE WILL
You need to have the will to succeed in you.You need to ferment success in your system.If you condition your mind to believing you can achieve what you have set your mind to,then your journey has begun.Wake up everyday like you are on a mission,your mission..
PURPOSE
A reason to live,to achieve and to strive for something.Purpose will put things into perspective.Purpose will help navigate you through the rubble.You discover your purpose by focusing on your passion and turning it into a career.A series of unfortunate events unearthed the writer in me.I love it and there’s no going back.I work tirelessly to perfect my craft,sometimes I even forget that I need to sleep.As Dr Lance puts it,
If you put in enough hours,there is no limitation to what you can do.
SACRIFICE
At the end of the session I got a chance to ask Dr Lance how he balances work and family commitments..His response was an awakening.
The notion that you can find a balance is a fallacy
,he says..One has to suffer but that is what sacrifice is all about.
You need to be willing to sacrifice what the next person is not willing to sacrifice.Pay the price for the things you want to become.
Success is not served on a silver platter.You need to work for it!Dr Lance went to the UK with nothing,worked three jobs and ate the cheapest food because he was looking at a bigger picture!
HARD WORK
Talent will only take you so far.It means nothing to have talent if you do not accompany it with hard work. You will breeze through things because you feel your talent will push you through yet that is far from the truth.It is better to combine the two.Aim to be the best.
Choose the guarantee of hard work than the insecurity of talent.
PERSEVERANCE
You have to keep keeping on.Even in the bleakest of times,the key is to keep your eye on the ball.Perseverance is what distinguishes those who succeed and those who don’t. Whatever you choose to become,you need to be deliberate and consumed by it!
The things of this world and of the Kingdom of God can get one confused but Dr Lance says you can have guaranteed success when you combine the principles of the kingdom in whatever you do.Never let fear consume you. Draw the line, don’t be so humble that you become useless.
Humility is a virtue but timidity is a disease!
Friday was power-packed.The Marketplace Apostle went all out!After describing the squalor he rose up from,Dr Lance spoke of something I could totally relate to.The struggle to stay in one lane,changing school subjects and then eventually careers and the drama that comes with it.It is hard to believe in yourself when everyone else has written you off but it pays off.Dr Lance went to study in London (after lots of rejection letters) with no funding,scraped through and he is the man he is today because of that.
Young Adults 