Yesterday, I brought that conversation to United States International University-Africa, joining the MBA - Global Business Management students and faculty at the Chandaria School of Business for the “Leadership and Beyond” Masterclass.
Drawing on more than 25 years in pension technology and my journey as Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Systech Limited, I shared the industry perspective on building at scale, taking FundMaster across African markets, and leading through uncertainty.
The questions took us straight into the realities behind the strategy:
How do you decide which African market to enter?
We explored the judgment behind expansion: understanding local needs, building trust and choosing where your solution can create lasting value.
In a world driven by data, where does instinct belong?
We examined how experience informs judgment when the numbers cannot tell the whole story.
How do you remain visionary without losing the details of today?
A compelling vision needs the discipline of daily execution.
Why must a leader have values?
Because growth brings decisions that test what you are prepared to protect, and what you are willing to compromise.
What happens when purpose meets crisis?
We explored resilience, difficult choices and the mindset, skillset and toolset required to keep building.
We also discussed MOCA - Member Outcomes Compliance Audit, and MMI, the MOCA Maturity Index: bringing leadership accountability back to the people our institutions exist to serve.
For me, this is where the classroom and industry enrich each other: thoughtful questions meet lived experience, and both sides leave with more to consider.
Then came a fitting finale: sharing my new book, “From Retirement to Preferment.”
Why bring a book on retirement to an MBA leadership conversation?
Because we spend years preparing to become somebody at work. We must also prepare for who we will be beyond it. Your job has a retirement date. Your purpose doesn’t.
My sincere thanks to the USIU-Africa faculty and students for an engaging, searching and energising exchange.
To business schools, universities, professional bodies and corporate leadership teams: I welcome invitations for practical masterclasses on building African enterprises, values-driven leadership, member outcomes and purposeful life beyond employment.
Let’s bring this conversation to your institution - with books to carry the learning beyond the room.
"From Retirement to Preferment" is available on Amazon and all leading bookstores in Kenya.
What question would you want us to tackle with your team?
