“Seest thou how God with his lightning smites always the bigger animals, and will not suffer them to wax insolent, while those of a lesser bulk chafe him not? How likewise his bolts fall ever on the highest houses and the tallest trees? So plainly does He love to bring down everything that exalts itself. Thus ofttimes a mighty host is discomfited by a few men, when God in his jealousy sends fear or storm from heaven, and they perish in a way unworthy of them. For God allows no one to have high thoughts but Himself. ”
HERODOTUS


Hello Everyone,

Every once in a while you meet someone that surprises and impresses you with a truly modest, unpretentious, and gentle manner. I met Nana when I featured the salon with wow.com and he was my Account Executive. In the midst of setting up all the featured Hair Packages, we started to chat about how we liked the same books like The Outliers and The Art Of War. The more we talked, the more I realized that Nana had the unmistakable gift of gumption and HUMILITY.

Humility is defined as someone who is modest, lacks pretense, and who does not believe that he is better than anyone else. Humility in the context of leadership is mentioned in the book Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t. Having read the book long ago, I recognized that Nana had the quality of a leader. He modestly directs ego away from himself and continually recognizes the contribution of others in his company. Even when creating superb results, he is never boastful always asking ” how are we doing” …the most dreaded question that any business can ask.

Do not confuse humility with meek or timid. Humility is all about maintaining our pride about who we are, about our achievements… but without arrogance . It is the antithesis of HUBRIS, that excessive, arrogant pride which often leads to the downfall of some corporate execs. It’s about a quiet confidence without the need to toot your own horn; and about being content to let others discover their talents. It’s a lack of arrogance, not a lack of aggressiveness in the pursuit of achievement.

Imagine my pleasure when Nana’s answer to what he most dislikes was : Hubris. I knew that I was right about that young man. Here, the handsome executive and tour-de-force stepped up to the challenge to answer a probing set of questions and reveal his true nature.

1. What is your idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is living the life I’ve always dreamed about – being content
with success without being complacent.

2. Where would you like to live?

I’ve traveled a bit… here and there. I visited Slovenia in 2006 for about 2
weeks, and I would certainly like to visit for an extended period.

I don’t have a specific place I would like to live.

3. What are your favorite heroes of fiction?
King leonidas, Spiderman and Hulk. King Leonidas for his bold moves regardless of
his well being – willing to die for the cause. Spiderman because he’s conflicted.
How do you leverage your given powers for the greater good, while attending to your
needs as well ? Hulk for his obvious emotional instability and its consequences.

4. Who are your favorite heroes of action?

That would be the same as 3

5. Your favorite characters of real life?

I admire different things in different individuals. I believe in the end, I’m a
great combination of all the admirable qualities I emulate from the leaders in my
life. With that said, I’m not perfect, however, I continue to strive to be my
favorite character.

6. Your favorite musician ?

Muse

7. The quality you most admire in a man?

Enhanced persistence

8. The quality you most admire in a woman?

Great combination of brains, beauty and a nice body

9. What is your favorite virtue?

Trust

10. What is your proudest achievement?

Setting and achieving seemingly impossible goals

11. What is your favorite occupation?

Management Consultant

12. Who would you have liked to be?

Lawyer

13. What is your most marked characteristic?

Disarming smile.

14. What do you value in your friends?

Trust and dependability

15. What in your mind would be the greatest of misfortunes?

Setting goals too low

16. What would you like to be?

I would like to be all I can be – achieve my full potential through enhanced
persistence, great relationships and hard work

17. What is your favorite color/flower/bird/name?

Grey

18. Other than… WOW, what word or expression do you most overuse?

“fair enough”

19. What is it you most dislike?

Hubris

20. What do you dislike about your appearance?

I love everything about me.

21. How would you like to die?

Quietly

22. What is your motto?

Go for it, and if you fall, get up, dust yourself off and try again

ENDS THE INTERVIEW…

Nana, we wish you continued success!

I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but, did I tell you that the Washington Post Express did a story on our new product line? Have a great day everyone.