Grateful to have completed the AfYWL Leadership Training in Addis Ababa with some insightful takeaways:
Listening to Director Noni Mafabune Mafabune, who emphasized the importance of hard work and showing up, clearly stated her message: consistent efforts will eventually yield positive results.
Samuel Doe, the UNDP Ethiopia Resident Representative, provided valuable guidance on developing a leadership compass. He explained how this tool can foster clarity and direction, align our core values, support resilience and adaptability, and promote accountability and self-reflection.
A particularly memorable quote from Her Excellency Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, by Abraham Lincoln, is: “I will prepare, and one day my chance will come.” This quote reminded me of the extensive preparations we undertook to make this event a reality and to be part of this esteemed Fellowship.
Director Prudence Ngwenya highlighted the four A’s: Aptitude, Attitude, Awareness, and Action. These elements are crucial in one's leadership journey.
One of the key takeaways from the training was a quote shared by Jide Martyns Okeke, PhD, regarding progressive decision-making: “Know what you do not want, even if you do not know what you want.” This simple yet profound advice serves as a useful tool to navigate moments of indecision and move towards what is best for us.
The opportunity to interact with fellows from previous cohorts, including Mathabo Mohwaduba, Pezu.C. Mukwakwa, Adja Sokhna Ndiaye Sy, and Nisrine Mbarki, was invaluable. Their experiences and insights provided practical advice on how to handle the challenges we may face during and after the Fellowship.
Ahunna Eziakonwa's session was a powerful reminder of the influence we have as fellows to change narratives by staying true to ourselves.
Our trainers, Chiedza Mutsaka Skyum and Edwick Murungu, covered various aspects of leadership. Their teachings challenged me to rethink my approach to networking and to enhance my skills.
It was an honor to be in the presence of Her Excellency Hanna Tetteh who encouraged us to leverage our networks by remembering that people are not disposable, building our confidence and trust, and being confident in ourselves.
Finally, Matthias NAAB's vote of thanks and reflection was a compelling reminder to always plan for our futures. He urged us to ask ourselves where we see ourselves in the next three to five years, what we need to acquire to achieve our goals, and to put all of this into a work plan with key actions and time frames.
Overall, this training was a transformative experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone. It was affirming, renewing, and enlightening. I was thrilled to meet all my sisters from across Africa and look forward to learning from them in many aspects.
Meeting Tatiana Rybarova, Kudakwashe Chingono, Ayda Labassi, Keagetswe Alex Kgotlaetsile, Jacqueline Cochrane, and the team was a memorable highlight of this training.
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