This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
On a cold Friday evening in Eldoret, I had the privilege of sitting next to an old man who left an indelible mark on my life. In a room filled with young people, his presence stood out, not just because of his age, but also because of the wisdom that radiated from him.
As we engaged in conversation, he posed a question that would change my perspective forever: 'What makes a chair stable?' I replied, 'The legs of the chair.' He then asked, 'How many legs does a chair need to be stable?' I answered, 'Four.' But he surprised me by showing that a chair can indeed achieve stability on three legs.
He then shared with me the three pillars of true success that have guided him throughout his life: honesty, hard work, and selfless service. These principles have had a profound impact on me, and I would like to share them with you.
Firstly, honesty is the foundation upon which all success is built. It is the truth that sets us free, and it is the truth that we must always strive to uphold, even in the face of adversity. As the old man said, 'There is a marked distinction in telling the honest truth.' Honesty is not just a virtue, but a necessity in all aspects of life.
Secondly, honest hard work is a virtue that has been eroded in today's society. But it is a virtue that cannot be replaced. When we separate hard work from reward, our work becomes art. And when we provide art that is a result of honest hard work, the effect is priceless. As the old man said, 'When we separate hard work from reward, our work becomes art!'
Thirdly, honest service speaks to the 'how' of work. When called upon to serve, do it with finesse. The hallmark of great leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa stemmed from the fact that they offered honest and selfless service. This pillar is fuelled by honest hard work and honest truth.
As the author Ellen White put it, 'The greatest want of the world is the want of men — men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right, though the heavens fall.'
That night, as I retired to rest, I thought about whether I was living these ideals and how those few moments of interaction had deepened my perspective. I resolved to consider these simple yet profound pillars more carefully. That resolve is a gift in and of itself.
The writer is Senior Associate in PwC.
