Richard A. Chambers (Rik, his nickname for short) was my manager/training coordinator at Guinness Nig. Plc Ikeja Brewery, Lagos in 1994/95. During the approx. In the year-long period that I reported to him, he repeatedly challenged me to “build myself” to be highly competent as a brewer and manager.
When I left for the Benin Brewery, I had four spiral bound training reports (typed by myself) with lots of large images (taken by Rik) of virtually every process area/plant I had been trained in. These documents, just as Rik assured me they would be, turned out to be very useful references during my later years with the company. In fact, many new entrants (and some older managers) at various points found the need to borrow and make copies.
But that is not all. It was Rik’s prowess in programming Lotus Spreadsheets macros that really brought us closer. Over a period of 6 months, consistent with the formal role assigned to him, he single-handedly developed an automated brewery variable cost analysis spreadsheet application that was adopted by the Lagos and Benin breweries for formal reporting purposes. MONTHLY on the performance of the brewery.
Luckily for me, he noticed my interest in watching him furiously code various data entry/reporting interfaces, and decided to get me involved by giving me a laptop and having me check the formulas for errors.
As time went on, he started giving me copies of ALL the code in the different applications, for the brewing and packaging departments. I was still a trainee, but 6 months after returning to work at the Benin brewery, I was formally responsible for maintaining/updating the Rik software for the Benin brewery. This was ALL senior management level work – the very complex formulas for calculating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) would have intimidated most people, but Rik had prepared me well.
No wonder then that in 1997 he successfully developed four custom reporting applications to replace manual data handling systems in the brewing department. Over time, other departments would find use for my skills, including packaging and engineering services departments.
But do you know the best part? I did all of this INFORMALLY, in my spare time, while still working full time as a brewer/manager. Nobody gave me time off, and I never asked for it. The challenge was there, and I was up to it, and the passion/excitement to make a tangible difference was enough. Having seen Rik do so many things OUTSIDE of his instructions, I had no problem doing the same. He had set a good example.
The time I spent with Rik prepared me for the successes I would later achieve in Guinness. Examples include nomination to the company-wide Project Insight team that developed comprehensive formats for computerizing data collection for technical reports, analysis, etc. High profile secondments to relieve senior managers in different departments/sections would be followed by promotions and then further secondments, including trips abroad to attend international courses.
But I did not rest on my oars; in fact, by the time I left the company (to start my own business), I had successfully acquired MS Excel-VB programming skills through self-tutoring, taking advantage of the company’s change from Lotus. Smart Suite to MS Office. So I didn’t just jump into developing custom spreadsheet solutions. I’ve been doing it for YEARS before it became a business.
It is important that you do not puff your head or think yourself superior to those who are not as talented in what you do. I will NEVER be old enough to call out to ANYONE, even a 5 year old, little boy or girl. The last thing I want to become is a BIG Man, you know, the kind that gives himself all kinds of airs because he has money or power or position. It’s ironic that billionaires like Warren Buffet, who have MORE reasons to act BIG, still use old model cars and stay humble!
This article has been written to encourage anyone currently in gainful employment who may feel that allowing themselves to be recruited into roles they consider to be outside of their job description would not be in their best interest. Many times the opportunities for growth, advancement and success will come disguised as work, paraphrasing Thomas Edison.
And that’s why most people MISS them! If you want to equip yourself for lasting success, make sure you achieve full mastery of your core responsibilities in a way that allows you to successfully take on ADDITIONAL challenges, making decision makers SEE that you have the ability to take on positions of higher responsibilities.
Some people get carried away by the “status” they think their jobs confer on them. They become obsessed with acting like GREAT men and women. This mindset makes them feel that there are certain roles that are too important to play. And this causes them to miss out on career advancement, especially in a company looking for selfless leaders to make things happen.
No serious decision maker will give you a promotion or career advancement opportunity without being sure that you have the ability—and the enduring passion—to achieve the desired results. Build the Going The Extra Mile (GTEM) habit at work, starting today, and see yourself moving toward NEW levels of success!
