I was in the Gospel Tent during New Orleans Jazzfesr sitting next to a young lady with a tattoo of a broken heart with angels wings and RIP on top of it.

She was wearing a wedding ring on her finger.  She had a very quite demure especially as compared to her friends who happily laugh out loud.

She didn’t look in my direction so I didn’t have the opportunity to try and catch her eye or I might have struck up a conversation with her in order to ask her why.

Later in the day as my Jazz fest tradition dictates, I went out to Congo Square to listen to Maze close the festival. Strangely I found myself standing right behind the lady and her friends – they remembered me and smiled warmly. I did not however believe that it was right to ask any questions as while earlier in the day she had openly displayed her tattoo, she was now doing her uttermost to hide it.

From time to time I still pause and ponder, what could have caused someone so young so much pain that she had decided to wear such an indelible scar

Copyright 2010. This document is the specific intellectual property of Susan Popoola. Content may not be reused or reproduced without the specific permission of the owner or a reference to the source. Opinions may be generated

For me it’s a book that contains some of my most treasured childhood poetry – Although I rarely write these days, I wrote hundreds in my teens to early twenties. A few  I wrote just for a laugh, but most to a greater or less extent reflected by deeper thoughts and feelings – the ones that I rarely shared with anyone.

My niece happened to come across the black diary one day. She read the contents and began to copy and share some of the ones that she liked. I guess I should have felt honoured, but instead I felt horrified and exposed and responded harshly telling her that it was private and she should leave my things alone.

That was many years ago so in many ways its history. However when I made reference to the diary today, she stated that it was that black diary that inspired her to start writing. I felt ashamed of myself. It was wrong of my niece to use my material without my permission, but I could have responded differently appreciating that she was actually honouring my work.

Since that time, over the years that have followed my niece and I have had numerous conversations during which she more than anyone else in my family has questioned and shown a keen interest and in my views and activities around Social Justice and Young People. I remember she was highly excited about my first book and told me about her plans to write her own. Not to long ago, to the consternation of her parents, she gave up her job in banking to work on school and social projects.

I am in no way responsible for her path, but without any delusion of grandeur there is no doubt in my mind that I have been a key influence. The truth, however, is if it was down to me she would have never seen talk less of read my black diary and it’s possible that we may not have had the subsequent conversations that we’ve had

From time to time I remind myself –that it’s really not all about me.  My ‘secret’ black diary reminded me of this once more– sometimes there’s a need to go beyond oneself for the sake of others.  If we allow the light of our experiences, knowledge and capabilities to shine (no matter how limited we may think they are), we just never know whose lives we could influence or impact in some way, shape or form

Selah – now I think it’s time for me to get some work done.

Copyright 2010. This document is the specific intellectual property of Susan Popoola. Content may not be reused or reproduced without the specific permission of the owner or a reference to the source. Opinions may be generated

When I visited Haiti …

While the people of Haiti recognised the hardship within their country, they spoke of the place with great pride and persistently asked me if I like their country.  They consistently spoke of how they wanted to stay in their country and help its development. They also spoke about how the hardships they were faced with would force them to leave if the opportunity arose.

Typically when we talk of Haiti we tend to focus in on the poverty, the lack of development,  the failed Governments in a failing state from which numerous families in Countries such as America and Canada see the adoption of children as a way of helping. All the same while I stared in horror at the rubble on the streets, the cracked up buildings that were only half standing and the make shift cities of tents on the roadsides, the Haitains told me of the beauty of the countryside and the beautiful beaches.

I marvelled at the low level of formal education and the high level of up to 70 to 80% unemployment. Simultaneously I was fascinated by the craftsman with two years formal education who spoke Creole, learnt French at school and taught himself English and Spanish so that he could effectively engage with customers and not lose business. I was further fascinated  by the camp coordinator who in perfectly clear English explained to me how the camp was organised. Gave me clear statistics on the residents, outlined the issues in the camp and what they were doing to try and resolve them. Yet he felt the need to apologise to me for his English and asked me (that only really speaks the one language – English) if I spoke Spanish as his Spanish was better than his English.

I read with mixed feelings of the thousands of NGOs and charities operating across Haiti as it seemed that with the best of efforts all that was being done was like putting a tiny plaster on a gigantic gash.

The truth of the matter is that from my visit to Haiti I came to the realisation that the real solutions to the problems of Haiti would ultimately come from the coming together of the central stakeholders of Haiti with the support of everybody else who is interested in helping. By the central stakeholders I mean the Haitians at home and abroad together with the different people who have adopted Haiti as home who all have a joint understanding of Haitian language, culture, issues and the way of life.

However, they can only make a real change with the support of people like you and I.

Selah

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He stared but not with the look of disgust that she had anticipated that would lead him to look away and find an excuse to walk away. Rather there was a look of amazement and awe on his face.

As he continued to stare she gradually began to sit tall as she realised that it was time to wear her scars as marks of conquest and beauty. Time to take her place and shine.

Selah

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1.     Sadly devastation in Haiti is much worse than what television portrayed & the risks remain high. ref: Sean Penn: http://bit.ly/dnu8tf

2.     When the disaster occurred a man cried out “Do something so that people can have hope” There is still a lot of need for things to be done

3.     In addition to damage of the palace, most Government buildings in were severally damaged or completed destroyed displaying Govt depts.

4.     A significant number of people Haiti in live now tent camps – some real tents others made up & often not rainproof – it’s hurricane season

5.     A lot of people in Haiti whose homes were not badly damaged sleep in tents by their houses/in compounds for fear of further earthquakes

6.     Last Monday while in Haiti there was a 4.4 scale aftershock. The ground beneath my feet literally shook. This was not d 1st aftershock

7.     In Haiti there are still half collapsed buildings across the city with massive amounts of rubble in the streets

8.     Haiti a camp coordinator said- thank God we are still alive, thank u for coming it’s good to know people care –we r all brothers & sisters

9.     I was informed that prior to the earthquake the key needs of Haiti were Food & work. Now there is an additional need for Housing

10. Big concern is what happens when disaster relief ends in Haiti. Unlike other places, most pp in Haiti don’t have a “normal” life to resume

11. A key solution for Haiti lies in the hands of Haitians at home & in Diaspora to work with the support of the rest of the world

12. A lot of caring people are making a difference in Haiti, but it feels like a gigantic wound is being covered with a tiny plaster

I plan to provide 12^th updates on the 12^th of every month up until the 12^th January 2011, the 1^st year anniversary of the earthquake.

Please don’t forget Haiti!

Copyright 2010. This document is the specific intellectual property of Susan Popoola. Content may not be reused or reproduced without the specific permission of the owner or a reference to the source. Opinions may be generated

Lifted out from the rubble

Dirt on your face

Bloody and scared

But something in your eyes

Makes me stop and realise

~        How beautiful you are

Maybe it’s the way you stand tall

And walk away, still trying to find a way

Maybe it’s the way you don’t complain

Regardless of the immensity of your pain

Whatever the case, there’s something in your eyes

That leaves me amazed at

~          how beautiful you are

Looking back in time

I come to realise, how much you’ve endured

Self inflicted, imposed by others

But you’ve stood tall through it all

Dancing and singing

That the world may see

~          How beautiful you are

Maybe now’s the time

For you to scrub up

And put on your make up

That all may truly see the beauty you are

I don’t mind bringing soap

While others bring water

That the whole world may behold

~          The beauty that you are.

(c) Susan Popoola 40:087:17:25

As there has been so much hype about her, I’m sure you’ve heard of her?  I must confess that I normally find hype of putting, but there’s just something about Susan that can’t be ignored.

Susan had a long held dream that she had been working towards for years.  Without trying to be dramatic, it’s fair to say that Susan endured a lot of ridicule along the way and I’m sure she on many occasions she must have felt like giving up. However, she did not; she continued and literally marched onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage and sang her heart out.  The rest, as they say, is history.

The facts are, however that prior to her history making performance, Susan was what typical everyday person that people typically refer to as a nobody.  However she proved that she is someone.  A message to the world that everyone is someone in their own right.  It’s not to say that everyone should find their way through X-Factor, Britain’s Got Talent or the next reality show.  Rather the key is to find and nurture the talent that resides within – whatever it may be, simply being who they were born to be[i].

I therefore choose Susan Boyle as an inspiration because while those on the Independent list are undoubtedly advocates for everyday people, Susan is a direct representative of everyday people.  A true lady, with a sweet demeanour and the true voice of an angel which brings tears to my eyes.  She is truly inspiring and I whole heartedly hope that she continues to shine and inspire.

Copyright 2009 This document is the specific intellectual property of Susan Popoola. Content may not be reused or reproduced without the specific permission of the owner or a reference to the source. Opinions may be generated

POLLUTION

The sky

was blue

with silver white clouds

cruising along

at ease with the world

a detonation of peace to all mankind

The sky

became black

as fuming warish smoke fumes

exhumed warish smoke fumes

making me wonder

about the destiny of this world

(c) Susan Popoola 21:166:16:06

Tiger Woods has indeed been a naughty boy.  However, he has now apologised to all who may have been hurt or upset by his actions.  That’s it for me, after all it really has nothing to do with me.  One way or the other he will sort things out with his sponsors. Most important of all I hope he is able to resolve things with his wife and the rest of his family.

However, I must confess that I find it difficult to understand why people feel the need to “kiss and Tell” if they care at all.  I also find it difficult to understand why the media pay so much attention to those that do.

A critical key to this is having staff with the right skills, in the right roles within your organisation. You may have noticed politicians talking about upskilling staff affected by redunancies to find the new jobs. This leads me to two inter-related questions. 1. Do prospective employees know what skills they require in order to work within your organisation? and 2)Beyond the knowledge that you need skilled staff do you know what specific skills you require, such that anyone could readily be able to identify individuals that would be suited to work within your organisation?

If the answer to either of these questions is no, then I believe you as an employer are missing something, asemployers are known to complain that young people coming into the workplace do not have the required skills. Now is the time for you to stand up and clearly articulate your requirements so that individuals going out for retraining and the people supporting them can make sure that they will be able to fulfil your business needs.

This is also important for your current workforce as through schemes such as Train to Gain there is currently a considerable amount of financial support is available to help you to develop your Staff.

I would recommend that you seize the opportunity and take a few steps as follows:

1. Review your business objectives/ plan for the next few years

2. Identify the skills and competencies you are going to need to meet your business objectives. If necessary get help in doing.

3. Develop this into a framework of roles which identifies not just the skills and qualifications, but also the wider abilities and attitudes that enable effectiveness such as communicatin skills and confidence to undertake different activities.

4. Assess the abilities of your current staff against both your immediate and future requirements in order to identify where you can develop current staff to fulfil roles and where you are likely to have gaps going forward that need to be filled external.

5. Make sure that the processes that you use to identify staff for development and promotion are open and fair taking into account the views and interests of your staff. This is important in order to prevent any legal claims of unfairness, but it’s of equal importance to ensure your staff remain engaged and positive about working with your organisation.

6. Begin to think about how you are going to fill the gaps (when the need arises) by recruiting employees, contractors or possibly outsourcing.

If you miss this opportunity and don’t begin to prepare now, when we come out of this recession in a year or two or whenever it may be, you may be caught of guard in a reenergised battle for skilled employees.

Susan Popoola

Conning Towers
HR Transformation & Talent Management
Leveraging the Power of People
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