I am motivated by the fact that I have made up my mind to share myself with the world and I have to give the world the best version of me.
Building a company starts with the blocks and pillars erected in the mind, envisioned clearly and aching to become reality. Lesalon Kasaine had a chat with yet another young leader, Peter Ndung’u. Peter's organization nurtures young leaders. He pursued international relations at university with a major in diplomacy and foreign policy and a minor in management. After the graduation ceremony in 2015, he picked up the tools he'd acquired and chiseled his own destiny away from employment.
Peter Ndung’u is the Co-founder of Great Minds Challenge and Pioneer of ScanCoaching Africa. He represented Kenya in the 2017 Nudge Global Leadership Impact Challenge in Amsterdam emerging top 10 out of 90 global participants.
Who is Peter?
I am always at pains to answer this question. Funny thing is, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Chronixx’s 2017 Chronology album legend song that says “I’m a lion but you never heard me roar.” That encompasses my passion and vision as a young leader.
Why did you start The Great Minds Challenge and what was the process?
I started the Great Minds Challenge because I had no interest in the established path. To paraphrase the famous quote, I am a round peg in a square hole. I desired a platform where I could explore my full potential and wild dreams of nurturing a new generation of leaders with new mindsets, leading from a place of value and character to effect transformation for people, planet and prosperity.
The process, I must confess, started a long time ago. I have always had this deep-seated desire for change in my life and those around me.
What is the mandate of your company?
Our objective is to inspire and nurture a new generation of young leaders with new mindsets, who can transform the society through innovation, sustainability and future-proof creative ideas.
What achievements have you bagged while behind the wheel of Global Minds Challenge?
I am one of the youngest Clairity4D accredited business partners in Africa. I am a recipient of the Gold Award from President Uhuru Kenyatta, from the President’s Award Scheme in 2015. And now that you’ve asked that, I guess it’s a great segue to say that I’ve brought the latest technology in coaching (ScanCoaching) not only to Kenya but also a first to Africa, which we launched in December, last year.
Your greatest fears and motivations?
I have learnt to live above my demons so I have nothing to fear per se. I am motivated by the fact that I have made up my mind to share myself with the world and I have to give the world the best version of me, so this keeps me going since I know it’s not about me.
If a well-established brand offered you employment and paid you a fortune, would you give up on your company?
Doing something other than pursuing my passion would be the end of my life and I do not want to die.
Entrepreneurship Vs Employment: What is your take?
Whatever fulfills your heart’s desire.
It is said some people go to school, others go through school. What do you think about that?
Unfortunately, we are raised in a misconstrued society based on false promises passed from one generation to another. The key objective of education is to help us organize knowledge that we are naturally endowed with hence Plato’s argument: you cannot teach a man anything new, you can only remind them or work with them to discover it in themselves. The goal of going to campus is to equip ourselves with the necessary skills to pursue our passion and dreams; therefore, the rat race for a job after school is an illusion.
A thing you regret in life?
No regrets whatsoever, every ride on the roller coaster of life is worth the experience.
If you could choose a supernatural power what would it be and why?
I would choose Astro Projection which is actually a reality to a large extent, and I would choose this because I find my body and mind so limiting. Like I wanna fly, you know what I mean…
A book and movie you would recommend?
Book: Conversations with God – Neale Donald Walsch
Movie: V for Vendetta
Parting shot?
“There is no time but this time, there is no moment but this moment. NOW is all there is.” Neale Donald Walsch
