I'm going to keep this short but I think it's important and it speaks volumes of you as a person.
An enduring lesson I learnt, early-on in my career, was from the COO of the company I worked for as a runner on the JSE Stock Exchange. He was, still is in fact, the finest human being I've ever met; the embodiment of humility and an unshakeable gentleman. In context he was a busy individual. His list of achievements were legion. Those included Senior Adviser to governments, central banks and industry titans. He was a pioneer of modern-banking in the country. Quite clearly his list of business / political contacts, friends, acquaintances and colleagues is legendary.
Although he's long since retired his greatest achievement, however, has never been certified, honoured, formally noted or financially rewarded. Notwithstanding, I will remember him foremost for his ability to see people as people first and not what they stood for; the depth of their pockets or their ability to contribute meaningfully to his day. His dedication was unwavering; he never forgot a face or a name and most impressively, he never forgot a birthday. His daily list of birthday-calls often exceeded one hundred (100) calls; most before breakfast... Many of those calls were to international numbers or to the switchboards of competing companies. An individual's circumstances or his / her place of employment, then & now, inconsequential.
This is his legacy & his mark has left an indelible impression on those fortunate enough to have crossed his path, however briefly and I, for one, am infinitely better for it.
An enduring lesson I learnt, early-on in my career, was from the COO of the company I worked for as a runner on the JSE Stock Exchange. He was, still is in fact, the finest human being I've ever met; the embodiment of humility and an unshakeable gentleman. In context he was a busy individual. His list of achievements were legion. Those included Senior Adviser to governments, central banks and industry titans. He was a pioneer of modern-banking in the country. Quite clearly his list of business / political contacts, friends, acquaintances and colleagues is legendary.
Although he's long since retired his greatest achievement, however, has never been certified, honoured, formally noted or financially rewarded. Notwithstanding, I will remember him foremost for his ability to see people as people first and not what they stood for; the depth of their pockets or their ability to contribute meaningfully to his day. His dedication was unwavering; he never forgot a face or a name and most impressively, he never forgot a birthday. His daily list of birthday-calls often exceeded one hundred (100) calls; most before breakfast... Many of those calls were to international numbers or to the switchboards of competing companies. An individual's circumstances or his / her place of employment, then & now, inconsequential.
This is his legacy & his mark has left an indelible impression on those fortunate enough to have crossed his path, however briefly and I, for one, am infinitely better for it.
