Thread by @ronaldnzimora

21 Lessons My Mentor Taught Me

Lesson #13: Something More Important Than Books

My Mentor's office is magnificent.

An entire wall is covered with award plaques, another two walls are lined top down with teak shelves filled with books. I was always in awe each time I went there.

On this day, I was ushered in. He was on the phone and he signaled me to make myself comfortable. I sat for a while, then began pacing the walls, looking at the books, making a mental note of the titles and wondering when I'd be able to afford them.

I'd grab a book, open it,...

flip through the pages, reading a bit and then put it back on the shelf.

As I did this and daydreamed about how wonderful it'd be to read all this books marveling at the sheer amount of knowledge they contained, I didn't notice my mentor had finished his call.

Dr. SOOJ: You...

like them, huh?" I heard his voice right behind me making me jump as he laughed.

Ronald: "Yes Sir, I do. I wish I could get them all. It's a great thing you have all these books. I bet each time you want a problem solved, all you need is look in one of them for the answer."

Dr. SOOJ: Yes I do, Son. I am an avid book reader,

He takes a book from the shelf. It's titled, "Turnaround Prescription" by Mark Goldstone

He continues:

"When our business was neck deep in debt this is the book that gave me the insights that took us out of it"

Ronald: Wow.

Dr. SOOJ: Remind me to tell you that story sometime, but now let's talk about books.

I was thrilled. I knew it'd be good.

Dr. SOOJ: You see Ronald, here's what I have learned.

The more successful you become, the fewer answers you’ll find in books.

I'll explain he said as...

my mask was a mask of confusion.

Dr. SOOJ: As you move up the ladder, you'll find that advanced business insights aren't in books and that they're:

1. You'll require more and more personalized information, relevant to YOUR business.

2. Books become less important than the...

relationships you build and the privileged information you glean from those sources.

And while you shouldn't stop reading Ron, the trick is to learn what to look for and take (that aren't obvious) from the books and how to make them fit in with your overall goals.

Ronald: Hmmm

Dr. SOOJ: Many people just read books, for the entertainment value and because they feel a sense of doing something towards their goals, not because they actually learn from it.

I don't want you to be that way.

More important than books are the relationships you build.

Let me ask you, Ron. If Aliko Dangote wanted to raise $10 billion for his business, do you think he'll go grab a book on raising capital or he'd get in touch with his contacts in various banking institutions around the world?

Ronald: Oh I get it now.

Dr. SOOJ: Human currency...

relationship currency is the best kind there is.

So yes, read books, but remember they should actually translate to something far more valuable than paper and ink.

And the best translation is that you build social capital above all things.

Got it?

Ronald: Yes Sir, I do.

Dr. SOOJ: Alright, Class closed (with a huge smile on his face). Let's talk about why you're here.

So we moved back to his desk and discussed our business.

As I left that day, I pondered and pondered on these things, and lo, it was true...

(Continues tomorrow. Part 2 cometh)

I hope you liked today's lesson.

If so, doxology.