Achieving great vision lies in inspiring staff

By Eric Wamanji

Kenya: Silas Simiyu is among the few executives credited with Kenya’s economic boom that started in 2002. The chief executive of the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) has crafted a geothermal development blueprint that will see Kenya’s energy index rising while costs drop, aimed at increasing industrial production and making Kenya more competitive.

This did not begin at GDC but at the then Kenya Power and Lighting Company — now Kenya Power, where he joined as a scientist. He then moved to KenGen. At KenGen, he was credited for the development of the 35MW Olkaria II Power Project and the drilling of about 59 high productive wells. Today, five years later, GDC has opened the Menengai Geothermal Project, which will tilt the country’s energy fortunes.

Dr Simiyu is also the author of Reflections: A CEO’s Treatise, one of the instruments that has helped him in his management. To achieve all this, a few secrets have helped the scholar-cum-manager to remain at the top.

• Good communication: A great vision that is not communicated is like a lantern hidden under the bed. Great leadership calls for clear communication of the aspirations and dreams of the organisation. Communication helps your team to understand their roles and their place in contributing to the big picture.

• Inspiration: People want to be inspired; to be charmed towards a course. Just like the orchestra that once sang for soldiers during the World Wars to raise their spirits for the battlefield, a leader needs to play the tune that will get his team working. This involves constructing the right mental images for your team, by encouraging and recognising them. That way, they will support you.

• Never be vengeful: The truism of never revenge is real and powerful. As a leader, avoid grudges and revenging every sin against you. Not everyone will stand up and cheer you on. Instead of revenge, just forgive, ignore and get focused.

• Transcend the petty: As a leader, it is easy to be drawn into personal and petty issues such as tribalism, ethnicity or even just petty office politics and gossip. Be blind to stereotypes and ignore machinations.

• Give it your best: When you pick on a project, be devoted to it. There is no success that comes to a job attended to halfheartedly. When committed, you will pay attention to detail.