Lessons from Manu Chandaria

1st November 2019 harriets Personalities 4

Listening to Manu Chandaria should be one of the must-do things in life if you desire to succeed. The richest businessman in Kenya is so down to earth even with all the accolades that he holds, including having an entire street in India named after him. He has an OBE-Order of British Empire, given to him by the queen of England, together with a CBS and EBS both awarded by president Mwai Kibaki in the year 2013. I mean, that’s the highest award one can get in their lifetime and to me, that’s what impact is all about. Even at age 92, he still keeps himself active and believes that one should work till they die and that he who does not work brings death. Sitting there, listening to him, I could only picture myself 60 years from now, pouring my heart out to the next generation, waiting for them to ask me about some of my failures, mistakes as well as successes.

His father came to Kenya in the year 1916 and he desired to earn 4000 rupees just to take care of his family. Sadly, after working for 6 months, he was given 120 rupees as salary which is approximately 30 shillings Kenyan cash. Can you imagine how devasted he was? Manu’s father had to learn how to talk in English and vowed that all of his children would also learn English and be great men.  And slowly, he began doing business in aluminum, steel, and other factories.
He is a graduate in Engineering btw and believes that one should endeavor to be a student of life and that it should never stop. He joined the family business and now his impact is felt in over 50 nations.
That’s just a brief of his bio, and here are some of the lessons that I learned today as he taught us during the ruthless focus meeting:
1. Build bonds, life is all about the networks that you create.
2. You are the common denominator in everything that pertains to your life. If you don’t do anything, you’ll never get anything.
3. Challenges are what makes you grow. They are your food so don’t run away from them.
4. All human beings are born lazy. If you don’t push yourself, nobody will.
The man wakes up at 6 in the morning, even though he doesn’t have to do that. He says its purpose that keeps you strong and adds more days.
5. You must ruthless if you ever want to grow in life. What are you pushing yourself into? If you don’t push yourself, you will definitely stagnate.
6. Have a positive outlook towards life and that’s how you’ll get positive results.
7. Simplicity is key. The man walks without bodyguards and refused for us to clap each time he spoke wisdom despite all the accolades that he possesses.
8. Always wake up with a mission. That is what will sustain you in your worst moments. that is what will keep you going when it’s all dark and you don’t know what to do.
9. Your work will always speak for you. It doesn’t matter if your immediate environment doesn’t. there are people outside your circle who are watching and one day, your reward is coming. he told us the story of how he was awarded the OBE by the queen even before the Kenyan government caught up with what he was doing and also decided to follow suit and give him the highest award ever.
10. Always add value wherever you go.
11. Offer yourself to duty, to others and to work.
Manu has been married for the past 65 years and according to him, marriage has no formula. However, here are some of his tips:
1. Learn to shut up. Say whats necessary
2. Try to tolerate each other
3. try to forgive and forget
4. Create a common interest
5. Agree to disagree
No man just slept in bed and succeeded in life. That’s his parting shot.

 

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