Steps to a better career with Modesta Mahiga

Why did you choose to write this book?

I choose to write 32 Steps: Career Success and A Life of Significance because apart from working in human resource consulting, I have been coaching and mentoring individuals on their career for over 10 years now. 32 Steps speaks to Africans and Tanzanians in particular because of the challenges we face in upbringing, education and career guidance or the lack thereof, leaves many unsure of who they are, what their purpose is, what they currently have to start out with and how to develop and unleash it for personal growth and greater impact. So that, coupled with the fact that I used to write articles on career success, writing a book was an obvious next step. I actually have several books I have yet to birth. I am already working on my second book as well as the translation of 32 Steps.

What really inspired you to write it?

Same answer as above plus the fact that I was away from work in the 2 back to back years I had to take off to have my daughters and wanted to maximise on my downtime.

You are a prominent motivational speaker in the country, is this first book to have authored?

Thank you. I give all Glory to my God. Yes, this is the first of many books I will author.

Unemployment still remains a challenge among the youth, how has the book addressed it?

Thoroughly, that’s how. I appreciate that unemployment is a concern that required a multifaceted and multi-sectoral thought and intervention requiring a collective vision, serious intention and harmonized collaboration to effectively tackle but, 32 Steps chooses not to point a finger at who is not doing what, although I encourage public-private-people partnerships in it, instead, 32 Steps speaks directly to the individual Tanzanian, whether a student, recent entrant into the work of work or seasoned professional to empower them to know, believe and take action to be the change that they and, we as a Nation, seek.

The message is, yes Government, civil society employers, the educational system, regional integration, etcetera.

Who is responsible for empowering the youth?

All have a role to play in providing an education that empowers us for competitiveness in the global market and the business environment should provide ore jobs and employ more Tanzanians but, until all that changes in our favour, what are we, individually doing to make ourselves competent and competitive? In good times or bad, when the winds work for or against us, we must have the knowledge, skills and attitude to compete and win against any standard, not just in Tanzania, but, anywhere in the world.

Give us a break down of your book .

The first section – Mindset of Success, challenges us all to be careful ‘how’ we see as we may be looking at the same thing but’ according to how we see, may or may not see its opportunity and potential. The longest section - Starting Out, details the dos and don’ts of job applications, interviewing and contract negotiation and the section on Career Focus alerts us that ‘what got you here won’t get you there’ so we need to check our attitudes, workmanship and work ethic so we can keep climbing the career ladder. Build a Personal Brand says even if you come a dime a dozen, you can distinguish yourself in business ethics and etiquette to be the organization and even industry reference. In Networking for Success I show how my and certainly your network is your net worth and share tips on networking, nurturing relationships and giving as a long-term investment to others and interestingly, yourself.

The last section is a truth I live by - Pass It on! shows how critical it is for us to live for more than just me and mine and ‘doing no harm’. I share how, whether conscious or not, we model behaviours that others emulate so we might as well be intentional about what we want to pass on.

In 2011, you were conferred with Tanzania Woman of Achievement of the Year honor, how would describe such an experience?

I was extremely humbled because I am still so far behind my journey to making a difference in the world through Tanzania yet people still thought what I had done thus far is significant. It really is a lesson; that wherever you are, you have, just as you are, something that can touch and transform someone else’s life so recognise that and be a faithful steward for as you serve others, you will be availed more opportunities and responsibilities to grow and they in turn will be released to dream and become all they can be.

Would you say you come from a privileged background, how has your background affected you as a career woman?

I honestly do. Something I am conscious of daily. I count my blessings.

Life was not easy for us with a single mother of five but, we are definitely middle class with great aspirations. My Mum sacrificed to ensure that I got international exposure from a young age and I thank my father for having contributed to my school fees when he could.

You see, my privilege did not come in the form of money but, opportunities and exposure, something even money can’t buy (although can often facilitate).

It is the fact that my mother was driven by a sense of purpose, excellence, service and prosperity that made her and us strive for more, regardless of circumstances. She built in us a mind set of success; believe you can, build your profile, deliver world-class performance, develop and nurture relationships without discrimination, serve your time, money, talents and remain professional and ethical and you will surely succeed and support others to realise their aspirations.

My background has shaped my character, work ethic and workmanship whilst the exposure I got raised the bar on aspirations, standards, scale and scope of what I want to achieve in my lifetime and the legacy I want to leave for all time, in the world, through Tanzania.

What keeps you grounded and motivated?

God and the promise of Tanzania. I serve the Most High God who humbled Himself to reach me where I am at. He has charged me with the assignment of building Tanzania’s human resource for Tanzania and Africa’s development and this I sacrificially do, following the example of Jesus Christ who gave Himself up for us all. I believe what God says about Tanzania so hang onto His word and promises, rather than what I see and hear, until truth becomes fact.

When I hear or see a Tanzania realise just how privileged they are to have been born a Tanzanian and just how much potential lays in them and the start working towards personal and national growth, I am encouraged that the sacrifices and struggles are all worth it.

When I hear or see a Tanzanian who does not believe in Tanzania’s potential to be the leading economy in Africa nor the fact that they, as an individual (and not the government, educational system, parents, politician, foreign investors, etcetera) are responsible to change their lives and transform our economy, I see that I still have ground to cover and am motivated to help them see differently and empower them to change the way they think, perform and present themselves for success.

What feedback have you received on the book?

Really great reviews to tell you the truth. For instance, Dr. Donath Olomi, a renowned authority on entrepreneurship and enterprise development sent a message saying: “Many thanks and hearty congrats Modesta for a very good book. It fills a glaring need in the market and will be handy for the growing army of youth, most of whom are ill equipped for the labour market. I will buy a book for my daughter.”

I have however, been asked to reduce the cost for students (something we’ve done from the beginning – 25 percent off for students and seeking sponsorship so can distribute even more cheaply to schools nationwide) and also had requests to have it in Swahili, which was my plan all along and a labour of love for the net couple of month, so look out for ‘Hatua 32’!

Being an advocate of the High Court, what challenge do you face as a young woman working in the judicial circles?

I am not practicing as an Advocate but have every intention of returning to the professional as a policy and legislative reformer.