In the midst of chaos lies an opportunity to learn, to understand, and to reflect. A decade ago, amidst the hustle and bustle of Victoria Station, I found myself amidst a suspended transportation system. As a business student, my mind naturally gravitated towards drawing parallels between the halted transportation lines and a stalled production process. It was a moment where the lessons from my academic pursuits found a vivid reflection in the world around me.
Look at this diary entry -a reflection forced by Professor Susan Perabo. It’s funny how much I hated the idea of journaling for class and look at me now. This was an enjoyable throwback for various reasons. One of which is the realization that “development” as I know it now has always been a pain point for me. FASCINATING.
September 6, 2014
As we walked into the Victoria Station today, I was overwhelmed by the number, more like crowd, of people in there. I was then not surprised when I heard that the Circle & District lines had been suspended temporarily. Being a business major, my mind quickly drew an analogy to the production process. If one part of the production line/belt stalls, the entire production process stalls with batches of unfinished/semi-finished products building up. What surprised me is how quickly my mind went to that. I guess it is true that your school of discipline becomes your primary “mode” of making sense of things around you- thinking.
One of the things I have learnt from the several business-related classes I have taken is that for things to work there needs to be a team on the ground monitoring procedures and ready to roll-out back up plans. I was more than elated to see the availability of maps and personnel around the station.
Over the intercom, we could hear alternative routes that people could use to get to their destinations being read out. The promptness and preparedness of the staff to the situation was impressive. I reckon that sometimes things happen that no one could plan for or foresee and so, there will be mayhem, but for the most part, an organization that runs like what I encountered today is the ideal one many organizations ought to be like- people thinking on their feet!
On another note, I really wish countries could be run much better than they are now. Taking Ghana for example, there is so much corruption and nepotism that is stalling the country of its potential growth. It is unfortunate that leaders are more concerned about their wealth once they get power than the people who put them where they are.
The lack of interest and trust of the youth in political matters and several other big picture ideas essential for development and advancement is a result of constant let-downs by people in positions of power.
People in leadership positions need to show integrity and follow through on their promises. Just like the production process, leaders before power are raw materials; people put their trust and time in them and refine them to be better than they were, and then they come out victorious and are meant to serve the goodwill of the people but often, people receive the end-product and it turns out they wasted their resources. What’s the point then?
The order of things needs to be followed for things to go smoothly. It’s time the youth of Ghana and many other slacking nations require accountability, responsibility and the best of services from their leaders. The feedback loop is necessary to achieve the perfect product.
Post Map
Did you just judge me?
Now before you judge my brain dump, remember I was super young, unexposed and perhaps somewhat naive. However, what I love about this is how my reflections didn’t stop at the confines of the station. They extended to the wider world, particularly my homeland, Ghana. The frustration and disappointment regarding the lack of effective governance and leadership echoed within my journal entry…
I thought then that corruption and nepotism hindered the country’s potential growth, leaving the youth disenchanted and disengaged from political matters. Could that have been written in 2023? What do you think?
On active observations and reflections
Reflecting on past experiences isn’t just a reminiscence; it’s a tool for self-development. It’s an avenue to unearth insights, ignite change, and foster personal growth.
As we navigate through life’s whirlwind, let us not merely be bystanders but conscious observers, meticulously gathering these moments to shape a better tomorrow. In essence, we should all embrace the art of observation, reflection, and action. For in these intertwined elements lies the potential to mold a world that thrives on understanding, accountability, and progress.
How random is this? 😂
Anyway, thanks for reading!
xxx
PS: If you did not read my last post from a billion years ago on the potential for leveraging social bonds for employment, you should. It’s an insightful one. See here CAN SOCIAL IMPACT BONDS IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT?
Noelle Wonders
Latest posts by Noelle Wonders (see all)
- Deciphering Chaos: Provocative Insights from a day at Victoria Station - December 1, 2023
- Can social impact bonds improve employment? - January 11, 2023
- No, setting more grandiose goals won’t bring us development - December 3, 2022