The Sunday Mail
ONCE upon a time, people used to be more united than they are today. Once upon a time, economic conditions used to be better than they are now.
Changing Perspectives
Rutendo Gwatidzo
Once upon a time, the weather and its different seasons used to be more predictable than now.
Once upon a time, people would trust almost anyone and everyone with almost anything.
This past week, I came across countless people who mentioned issues related to “once upon a time”.
It is like there used to be a better world somewhere that does not exist anymore.
It appears the lives of the majority of people are marked by regrets, pain and suffering, which was not the case before.
Reality check!
Can we really say that once upon a time was more precious than now?
After coming across people who wished to go back to “once upon a time”, I started conducting some research, engaging with 20 individuals who represented different age groups. I am very happy that I managed to engage with those in the 90s.
The youngest I engaged with was 12-years-old. I also engaged with company owners and managers of businesses that have existed from before independence until now.
The interesting thing was that they all shared memories of once upon a time, and most of the recollections were good, with a few bad experiences.
Obviously, I got curious to understand more about this world that I now call “once upon a time”.
The 90-year-old shared beautiful memories that happened 70 years ago and how life was simple and beautiful. Some shared the beautiful side of life before and after colonisation.
The 12-year-old also shared memories of about six years ago.
This simply means each season had good memories to look back to.
Bad memories also exist, but discussions focus more on past good memories.
Think about it
Do you realise that all the once-upon-a-time stories carry one thing in common?
They are all to do with people in one way or the other. Whatever might have happened involved people somewhere somehow.
This means people are the ones who create these once-upon-a-time stories.
Now, the question is: What stories are you creating?
One day, someone will look back and say once upon a time and that person will be referring to you and me.
Organisational status
Many organisations are struggling and failing to make it, not necessarily because of other factors, but human capital issues.
We have management and teams that have been responsible for destroying businesses intentionally or unintentionally.
For others, it was due to poor management and wrong decisions. For some, it was and could still be laziness and negative contributions. Many people join organisations to see how best they can maximise their personal interests. In the process of doing that, they cripple the business and it affects all stakeholders.
Selfish or self-centred interests are becoming more dominant in organisations more than interests that benefit many. A good number of business owners I approached while doing the “once upon a time” research mentioned one thing in common. They all cited someone like a particular manager or team.
“It all started with a certain manager who came and did this or that” was a common statement from those I spoke to.
Imagine those organisations that collapsed and how many families suffered. I would like to challenge every manager and team member to contribute towards being known for good works. Be associated with building, not destroying.
Let your name be known for good works and positive contributions. Let your once upon a time be one that causes others to smile. Let memories of you be those that cause others to wish to revisit the past.
It is not pleasant to be known for causing havoc. Think about the history you are writing for your organisation. Think about the future and things that will be said about you one day. Be challenged and inspired to be a good history maker.
General facts
We all carry stories that get looked at. The next generation will point fingers at us one day and say once upon a time, there existed someone by the name of so and so. What history are you creating for your family, community and for every group of people that you are connected with?
The once upon a time is now and you have to write the story yourself. Good times are here; we are the ones who create them. Good times did not vanish. We are all history makers. Let us not be blinded by the assumption that things keep getting worse. Things can keep getting better if we create the better history. Be encouraged to create a good “once upon a time” history now.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is the managing consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy. She is a multi-award- winning leader, consultant, speaker and coach. She is also the author of “Born to Fight” and “Breaking the Silence”. Contact detail: 0714575805/ [email protected]/ Rutendo Gwatidzo_Official FB public page
