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Individual Attitude and Wealth Part II PDF Print E-mail
Written by Namucana Musiwa   
Tuesday, 16 February 2010 00:00
Writing on Wealth and Individual Attitude, Beca Lee Lewis states that there is a shift taking place and says it is a change of attitude.  This shift is happening throughout our culture.  It is to be  found both in the individual and in the company.  This Shift is the focus of the future.
It is the new revolution — a revolution of thought. It is not the technical revolution; it is the Values-Driven Revolution. This revolution is different from all previous revolutions, because it emerges from within the individual and produces results that benefit the world as a whole. Not driven by those who want to conquer, it supports those who want everyone to win.
This revolution is changing the way business operates and the way each individual is expected to operate within the organization. This revolution states that the quality of life and the joy and happiness of each individual outweigh the drive for profit as the sole motivating factor.
This revolution uses the weapons of imagination and courage to bring about a change. The proponents of this change in attitude believe that without quality values such as ethics, compassion and service, all victory is hollow.
The drive to accumulate money for money’s sake is being replaced by the understanding that true wealth involves more than money. Mort Meyerson, CEO of The Perot Corporation, asks the question, "To get rich, do you have to be miserable?" He gives the answer in his article "Everything I Thought I Knew About Leadership Was Wrong": a resounding "NO."
As more and more of us discover that we want more than just money, we are changing the face of our culture and the currents of our lives. We are discovering that if we just have money we may be rich, but we may not be wealthy. Being rich is not enough. As a result we are asking ourselves "what is wealth?"
Our answers may vary, but most would agree that true wealth includes such values as plenty of time, freedom, health, security, creativity, happiness, and love. The use of money may enhance some of these values, but none of them can be bought with money alone.
In the past, as part of our cultural experience, many of us were taught that in order to achieve the "good life" we must spend most of our lives working to earn money that would in turn provide these values or qualities. What many of us have found is that in the pursuit of money we have lost the essence of our lives. Our biggest regrets do not revolve around unfinished business at the office, but in missing out on the lives of those we love.
The values-driven approach to business and life suggests that we must encourage and live these values first. When we make these choices first, the money we need and want will follow. This attitude and approach to life takes courage, especially in the workplace.
The question is: at what pace is this new revolution taking place in the Third World, particularly in our country Zambia?  Why are we not moving at the same pace as the rest of the world?  What do we need to do in order not to lag behind?

I wrote in one of the early articles in this column that a positive attitude was critical for success.  Belief that you can turn a negative situation into a positive one is an ingredient for success.  When you are optimistic, it is possible that is will rub off on the people around you.  Pessimistic people easily dampen the spirits of those around them and before long people start fearing success.  

We also seem to be too superstitious and suspicious of wealth.  When one is progressing very well in business they are linked to drugs, money-laundering, Satanism or witchcraft. On a Zambia Social Investment Fund (ZAMSIF) beneficiary assessment in Mongu in 2004, we came across a man who had a lot of land but only developed a small part of it for fear that if he cultivated all the land that was at his disposal he would be so rich that other people would accuse him of practicing witchcraft.

Turning resources into money starts with careful planning, self-belief, determination and confidence that you WILL succeed.  You also need to surround yourself with people who believe that you can succeed and will encourage you.  The average Zambian is terrified of the unknown especially if they are comfortable in a salary-paying job.  Those who dare to take risks will be discouraged by their friends and relatives who will be full of ‘what ifs’.  Most of those who venture into business are compelled by circumstances.  You just need to visit Solwezi and you will understand what I am talking about.  Solwezi is yawning with business opportunities but it is apparent that very few Zambians are doing market researches or assessing investment opportunities.  While we sit and wait for the town (and province) to develop by itself, people from neighbouring countries are opening businesses that can be ably done by indigenous Zambians.

Coming to the labour market, where skills are available in the province, ideally the locals should benefit but demand for skills and expertise is so much on the increase that employers are having to look for special skills outside North-Western Province.  Yet you come across job-seekers who will not go to work in Solwezi because they consider it too remote – they want a job along the line of rail.  What they do not realize is that it will not be long before Solwezi will be along the line of rail.

Another issue that contributes to our poverty is the attitude towards dependants.  We are too accommodating and enjoy looking after able-bodied adults who sometimes do nothing but take alcohol and cause trouble for the very person proving them with shelter.
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