Defining Succes with Robert Kargbo
The Chemistry Professor, Project Manager, leadership coach and Author of The Act of Solving Interpersonal Problems, Robert Kargbo is an example of a life fully lived regardless of the circumstances. In our conversation Robert took us on a journey of a boy in Sierra Leone who educated himself through his daily experiences and progressed to university, only to end up in a refugee camp. Even in the refugee camp he managed to set himself apart from his problems and make the most of what appeared to be a dire situation. When he made it to America his humility and intelligence continued to open doors for him until today. Some of the learnings from this important conversation were:
1. How we interact with each other ultimately determines our success. One of Robert’s key values is that success is determined by human interaction How we respect one another is what grows us as a society.
2. Science is not abstract, it is our daily experience. Everything that we do is a manifestation of science. Once we focus more on science being a lived experience it will give us a better understanding of science not only being the preserve of a certain type of intelligence.
3. Focus on what you have and not on what you don’t have. It is focusing on the latter that stagnates us and prevents our progress. He stated that when all he had to study was a candle or lamp he did not preoccupy himself with thoughts of “if only…” He made the best of what he had in the moment to achieve his goals.
4. Humility is the recognition of the greatness of an opportunity and embracing the opportunity to learn from it. It is not reducing oneself and being engrossed in impostor syndrome. Humility requires one to show up fully to be able to utilize the opportunity presented to them
5. Self-Reflection is the key to education and growth. Robert intricately described his observations after school that helped him understand the lessons he was taught and to identify what he might not be understanding fully at school. In reflecting he also regularly accepts that everything is happening in the order that it is supposed to. The Universe does not conspire against you it works together for the greater good.
6. Empathy is a practice and not naturally engrained. It is not a one off action it is something one must consciously and consistently practice in order to exercise it. No one is naturally empathetic, some people are just presented with more situations and expectations to be empathetic than others.
These were only some of the key lessons learnt by and from Robert. There were many more in this enriching conversation. You can listen to this conversation at any stage acquire some nuggets of wisdom. It is undoubtedly a worthwhile listen, please do tune in and give us your feedback.
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Intro music by Drissy Parker
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