….The Color Of Legacy

Actions affect people. It could be the simple deed of siring a child, providing a meal to a hungry stranger, imparting life-changing advice to a confused soul, painting a breath-taking piece of art, constructing a building, wowing the world with exceptional oratory skills or dedicating a life to a cause. It could also be stealing from public coffers, inspiring hate and intolerance, effecting mass layoffs, instigating war and genocide, et cetera.

Actions are the building blocks of legacy. And just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so is the color of legacy. The shades of which can be as diverse as the spectrum of the rainbow. And this is simply because interpretations of actions are done through personal filters. But when all is said and done, the overriding and lingering legacy is ultimately framed by the fusion of individual interpretations – the wisdom of the crowds.^[1] The many are smarter than the few, they say.

All legacies matter. But the ones created by leaders tend to take more prominence due to the reach, influence and the spotlight position they occupy. And really, to whom much is given much is expected. Allan claims, ‘When you respond to situations responsibly, people will remember long after you have moved on because of how you impacted their lives.’

The handling of COVID-19 situation inadvertently formed legacies in business, and beyond. Allan shares his experience. ‘We were paying some of our employees 25% of their salaries. Which is barely nothing. The idea of shunning lay-offs was to make sure that people in the organisation did not suffer the consequences of something that they did not create.’

He continues, ‘So how do we share the pain across the 4000-strong staff, as opposed to letting go of a big bunch of them and then they are unable to sustain their families? Because that also impacts the larger society due to the fact that by extension, we support thousands of people.’

Tapping into organizational networks for support helped to further cushion the employees.  Allan reveals, ‘We had discussions with wellness organisations which donated household essentials to supplement the 25% pay. That effort is something that employees appreciate because they know that we care for them. In terms of a positive legacy, those are the things that people remember.’

Expressing his legacy ambitions for his organization, Allan draws deep from his conscience. ‘When I leave Kenya Airways in the distant future, I hope I will have created a culture of giving. How do we give back to society, and in the process create organic, regenerative and meaningful reciprocation? Because if we are extractive, the societal resources will dry up, then obviously nobody will be in a position to engage with us,’ he says. ’So my hope is that the organisation will be a very cyclical…very interdependent movement of give and take in a responsible manner, that will grow the company not just into profitability, but a sustainable business as well.’

The Highest Vision Of The Soul

Across the globe, conscientious leadership is in short supply. The evidence of it is in the fragile business and political ecosystems. The unbearable part of it is a hurting humanity. And Africa carries the bulk of it.

The idea therefore, of a Prosperous Africa comes across to many as a whimsical thought, grounded in extreme fantasy. Allan however, is of the opinion that if only people’s basic needs are adequately met, then the continent will be on a sure and firm footing towards prosperity. He points out, ‘People want to have food in their stomachs, clothes on their backs, and shelter over their heads.’

An installation of a robust purpose for each organisation will provide guidance and give buoyancy to conscientious business leaders towards the forefront of Building Africa. The re-shaping and re-imagining of a thriving continent worthy of bequeathing with pride to future African generations begins with a dream. As James Allen[2] brilliantly penned, ‘The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.’

Allan’s dream of the continent is inspired by the core needs of Africa’s people. He thoughtfully surmises, ‘A Prosperous Africa is one which can feed itself, can clothe itself, and can make sure that people have reasonable housing, and are productive members of the society. When they need healthcare they can get it, and when they need an education they can get it at a reasonable cost. That would be a Prosperous Africa. Not one with billions of dollars in the bank – but one that has dignity for all of its people.’

[1] The collective opinion of a group of individuals over a single one.

[2] Author, As a Man Thinketh

Excerpt from Allan’s Feature: ‘CCA: BUILDING AFRICA ‘ Sustainable Business Coffeetable book