In life we have so much noise . In this era of boundless information , much of which is pure noise , we must learn how to identify and cancel noise . In Marketing , ample options and choices are distractors and noise . We constantly need to be conscious of what removes us from our focus , our plans , and budgets .
Nevertheless , the society we live in teaches us to react and to fight . A win gives you a temporary inner satisfaction , but it does not give you a permanent reprieve , solution , or joy .
It is paradoxical that sometimes you come out strong when you act weak . People who are internally strong and confident don ’ t have to fight to prove it . It is the weak who has a point to prove . Strong people forgive or apologize and move on . When a strong guy says sorry you admire their inner strength and character . We admire them because they do not react and fight in situations where they would obviously emerge winners . But instead , they choose peace , forgiveness , and reconciliation .
Great leaders demonstrate virtues of kindness , meekness , forgiveness and eventually emerge stronger . I was able to relate and cancel the matatu noise by forgiving them . I understood them and forgave them . Nowadays , I give excuses for their bad manners . I try to make sense out of their nonsense . Excuses like , “ maybe they are in a hurry ”, or ‘ maybe they are going through a hard time ” are lame but they help me keep my sanity .
With all the political noise around us , it is hard to maintain sanity and focus . People have divergent views , and everything seems to be calling for our attention . Someone said that a lot seems to be happening in the world right now . But he corrected himself that maybe all these things have been happening , but we didn ’ t know about them .
“
In life we have so much noise . In this era of boundless information , much of which is pure noise , we must learn how to identify and cancel noise . In Marketing , ample options and choices are distractors and noise . We constantly need to be conscious of what removes us from our focus , our plans , and budgets .
Information is now flowing fast and furious and in real time .
It is interesting how quickly the environment around us is changing . A few years ago , we were looking for information to put together to make sense . So , skill on how to use scant information to make decisions was the most valuable in management . Right now , that narrative and skill set has been flipped on its head . Artificial Intelligence ( AI ), and robotics are now being used to deep dive into the maze of endless information and sort the wheat from the chaff .
In future , knowing what we want ( focus ), and being able to select the right information from all the noise ( discernment ), will be a critical skill for success both at a personal and management level . Why most people are tempted and drawn into unnecessary noise is because noise calls for immediate attention . But , if you put it in the priority quadrant , most noise would fall into the category of “ not urgent and not important .”
In this information era , whether you are managing yourself , a brand , or a team , learn to identify your goal and to keep yourself , brand or team focused . Appreciate the noise and its intensity but learn how to insulate from it . How you respond to this raucous environment will determine your success or failure .
But always remember weak people react and respond , strong people apologize and forgive , and the wise ignore and avoid . I urge you to be strong and wise .
Herman Githinji is a Management Consultant and a Director at Rhombus Ready Mix Concrete Company . You can commune with him on this and related issues via email on : Hermangithinji @ gmail . com .