This archive report was first published on 13 August 2019.
Tom Mulwa on Building a Successful Career ¶
Published on August 13, 2019
Tom Mulwa, a 50-year-old entrepreneur and golfer, is a member of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and chairman of Insurance Training and Education Trust (ITET). He has had a distinguished career, serving as the former Chairman of Association of Insurance Brokers of Kenya and former chairman of the Karen Country Club.
As the evangelist of Liaison Group's mission, Mulwa is responsible for mentorship and executing the company's strategy. He enjoys coaching and mentoring young people, introducing them to the business, and ensuring that they contribute to the company's mission.
When asked about the trend of millennials changing jobs every two to three years, Mulwa encouraged the youth to get driven by passion rather than changing workplaces unnecessarily. He emphasized the importance of creating an environment where change is apparent, with flexible working hours, good working relationships, and employees' efforts recognized and appreciated.
Mulwa also highlighted the need for organizations to adapt to the changing needs of young professionals. He noted that many millennials come from schools with flexible learning schedules and homes with open environments, and therefore, may feel stifled by outdated company policies.
As the chairman of Liaison Group, Mulwa aims to mitigate risks and offer insurance to investors in Africa. The company plans to spread across the continent by 2050, leaving a legacy as the first African non-banking organization whose impact is felt worldwide.
On making regional entrepreneurship more attractive to the youth, Mulwa suggested that opening borders to investors from all over the world could encourage more movement of labor. He also emphasized the importance of free movement of labor, citing technological advancements and agility in the workforce as reasons why protecting territories is becoming increasingly difficult.
When asked about the significant decisions that contributed to his astounding career, Mulwa attributed his success to joining the business right from university and getting involved in socio-economic development. He emphasized the importance of cultivating a culture of supporting the needy and viewing daily activities broadly.
On learning from setbacks, Mulwa advised that failures are supposed to be lessons, and one must pick themselves up and forge ahead with strength and confidence. He also emphasized the role of education in building his career, noting that it opens doors and provides a pedestal to elevate oneself.
Finally, Mulwa offered advice to young professionals about building strong careers, emphasizing the importance of passion and patience. He noted that a career is not always equal to employment and that one should enjoy the work and pursue projects with patience.
