Nuanced Work

Seth Godin’s blog today included this quote: “My vote: your goals and your strategy must be simple. You must have passion and certainty in order to make a difference as a leader. Your tactics, on the other hand, should be layered, multi-dimensional and reflect the patience of someone who cares about reaching a goal.”

This really is our operating MO at Ubuntu.  We’re pretty clear on our goals and how we’re going to get there, but every day is a new challenge.  Working with people will do that, but when your work is primarily with 13-year-old boys from unsettled environments the challenges never cease.  Obviously we have the challenge of leading practices that are challenging, enjoyable, and making players better.  But that’s the easiest thing we do!  Just this week our job has also included driving the boys around, helping with homework, getting them to study hall, feeding them, meeting with principals, taking them to the library, and a whole host of other things.

It’s not just the tasks that are nuanced, but each boy is different and needs different cajoling and motivating.  Some are tough on the outside and need some softening.  Some tend to be soft and need to be toughened up.  Some tend to whine, which we don’t tolerate.  Some are easily distracted.  Some need help getting out of their shells.  Some of them never go back to their shells!  Every day is a new game of chess where you try to discover new ways of reaching the boys.

So, the goal is simple, develop and nurture the next great leaders of Africa.  But how we do that is ever evolving with the needs of these young boys.

Cheers,
Casey