My upbringing in both west and east Africa, coupled with the prejudice I met when returning to Sweden (not personally, but "ideas" of what those countries are like), showed me how the western world loves to claim knowledge - and superiority - over things they do not understand.
Efforts guised as kindness and benevolence, charities and donations to "the third world" (how I hate that term), have throughout my life been exposed as fueling corruption and exacerbated dependence on aid. Those stories are unnerving...
I've spent this month coaching people across the world and as always I am reminded of how people - wherever they are - mostly share the same fears, wishes and dreams.
What differs are the opportunities. x.com/axbom/status/1…
The opportunities available differ not because of differences in skills or knowledge, but due to differences in ready money, social status, geography... and prejudice.
Sometimes I am frustrated by a slow pace of change but I also am quick to remind myself that I need to be playing the long game. And what a world of difference just listening to, and acknowledging, another human being can make. Your worries are real, your dreams matter.
As a coach one of the guiding principles is to primarily look forward. And moving forward I will be making more of those free coaching sessions available in the new year. Seeing a friendly face, sharing a moment, learning something new about ourselves. This is the long game.