My Co-driver

I have already experienced what yesterday had in store for me. The only thing on my table currently is an opportunity. A large opportunity which is anonymous. Am I too blind to see it? Tomorrow is still a mystery, it’s a journey to an unknown destination. Much has been said by others about this journey and I only have a sketchy route. I don’t know how rough the road is but from tittle-tattle, the road is like a roller-coaster with unexpected and unidentified bumps. I am not only supposed to keep time to my destination but also watch out for pot-holes, bumps and creatures crossing. More so, it’s sunny and dusty in some areas, rainy and misty in others.

I expect anything on the way nonetheless, after all I have heard a lot on this journey.

The vehicle am travelling in is faulty; no gas points on the way and therefore, I’m expected to carry relevant tools and some extra gas with me. A number of road users are drunkards and others carelessly driving which puts me at risk, a huge risk. I expect anything on the way nonetheless, after all I have heard a lot on this journey.

Being in such a dilemma can be tough. As a result of this, I get a co-driver who will help me, reason with me, share with me not only the long trip but their opinion, one who will keep me company through the entire journey.

All through this journey with a co-driver to keep me company, time and the road am travelling through are huge factors.  I have to be at my destination in good time and I have to keep in my mind all the other factors.

The co-driver has a lot of expectations which may differ from mine, opinions which will soon face a check of reality on this journey. I am therefore, expected to make decisions with the vague mapping in mind. I will have to live with their personality (personality clash, different reactions and interpretation are possible outcomes) and not the aspirations which are idealistic in nature.

It’s said that many cooks spoil the broth (cliché, right) and in this sense, I wish to have to survive with only one co-driver to avoid spoiling my broth.

In as much as I think the journey will be tough because of our different personalities, I am psyched and full of hope that my co-driver will lend a hand when there will be difficulties. There will be times when our minds crush during the numerous consultations that we will have on the way but all along there won’t lack some cooperation, healthy inter-dependency not a rubber-stamping competition.

Everything constant, I do not expect the perfect co-driver but I expect to get one who is reasonable, without any discrimination.  There is a number of qualified co-rivers who stand a chance. The exception to the above rule, however, is time. Whoever comes first, stands a great chance. The only test they have to fulfill is the ‘a reasonable man’s test”

The uniqueness in this journey is that the core driver and I are both inexperienced. This aspect makes things difficult as it leaves me with generality and not specialty in choosing the core-driver.

Who is my co-driver?

……..to be continued

Submitted by:
Ahmed Maalim- Manager, Governance & Advocacy