15 Years A Banker

On 25 September 2005, I walked into Standard Chartered Bank Moi Avenue Branch for my posting as a Graduate Clerk.

Being a banker was the last of my expectations - my only experience in banking was in PostBank (through which we received our Higher Education Loans Board disbursements) and where they asked all of us to stand against a wall, after giving them our passbooks for processing of withdrawals, and roughly called us out one by one after waiting for hours.

And Standard Chartered was not even in my dreams as an employer – my only exposure to SC was that growing up, there used to be a branch in Molo, and it was one of those buildings that we never even thought about going in.

I was not looking for a career in banking. By the time I graduated from Kenyatta University in 2004, I already had a novel published, my dance drama had won an award at the Culture Week Festival, a play I had written had travelled around the country and even as I joined the bank we were shooting it to film. I had my career choices clearly defined.

Four weeks earlier, we had been at the KU Culture Week Office with the late Shibi, Shikuku Emm Tsikhungu and Prof. Emmanuel Mbogo, where we were organising the 2005 Festival. To while away the time as we waited for some approvals from the Vice Chancellor, I had borrowed a newspaper and we chanced along an advert: “Are you Courageous, International, Trustworthy, Responsive and Creative?: Here is your chance to join an International Bank.”

It was Prof Mbogo who pushed me to apply. Afterall, he said, we only start our drama rehearsals at 5 pm. “Since the bank (then) closes at 3 pm, you will have time to wind up by 4 pm and can be in time for rehearsals.”

It was only a few weeks later that I discovered that when the branch closed at 3 pm, that is when work started!

It was a steep learning curve for me, and I thank my then bosses Kondo Gichana, Catherine, Paul Wango, Isaac Muuya for teaching me banking. With a degree in English and Literature, I did not know the difference between a credit and a debit, and I made so many mistakes on the way.

I kept thinking that I was going to leave 'next year' for my career in the arts. The joke is on me - Today is exactly 15 years on, and I am still here.

It has been an exhilarating journey - 15 years and roles across Sales, Service, Relationship Management, Team Leadership, and Learning and Development.

Standard Chartered has been more than a home to me. I got married while here and all my kids don't know any other ‘Daddy’s Job’. I have made great friends and lifelong relationships and have achieved things I never imagined I could have. Even more importantly, I have learnt so much.

I am thankful to work for a company that not only allows, but strongly encourages creativity, and thus my writing journey has excelled as well. I am a better writer because I am a banker, and a better banker because I am a writer. I don't take that for granted.

I have had the opportunity to glean from the wisdom of many great people: Kariuki Ngari instilled a sense of urgency and excellence. Kibaara Robert and Tirus Mwithiga taught me to think big “Don’t be the brightest bulb in the room. If you find yourself in this situation, find a bigger room.” Tirus said. And both have proven this by their own strides in the industry.

“If I have seen farther, it is because I stood on the shoulders of giants,” – Isaac Newton. I am thankful for the giants on whose shoulders I have stood. Wainana Gichia for your accountability partnership, Julias Alego for being a lifelong coach, Nyokabi Florence for helping me see the bigger picture, Munyori Evans for the advice and support, Millicent Clarke to whom I am forever indebted - and many more.

Many thanks to Guy Whitcher for the opportunity to expand my reach, Suman Sharma for opening my eyes globally, and Paul Sealy for your guidance, support and the opportunity.

Thank you Tanuj Kapilashrami for taking your time for a great coaching conversation that changed my world view. I have learnt more in the last 8 months than I have in the last 15 years of my career.

I have learnt the 3 key pillars for career success: Focus, Excellence and Relationships.

When people now ask me, I don't say I have a job. I say I have a career.

And the learning continues.