By Elizabeth R. Auma K, Trade Policy Leader/Bridging Policy, People & Purpose/ Founder, Hearts&Trade

One of my early assignments involved organizing a meeting to create awareness about the COMESA regional bloc among a large section of the private sector. My responsibility was to ensure that invitation letters reached key private sector players, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Once the letters had been signed, I did exactly what I thought the assignment required.

I got onto a boda boda (motorcycle) and began moving across Kampala and the outskirts, personally delivering every invitation letter. At the time, I believed that “ensure the letters are delivered” meant I had to deliver each one myself.

For more than three days, I rode from one office to another. Some institutions were easy to find. Others were not. I spent hours looking for offices I had never visited before. Only later did I discover something that now makes me smile.

The assignment had never been for me to personally deliver every letter. My responsibility was to ensure that the letters reached their destination. There were officer couriers whose role was to deliver official correspondence. There were colleagues who knew where many of the offices were. If I needed to deliver them myself, there were government vehicles available for official work.

The problem was that I did not fully understand the resources available to accomplish the assignment. Looking back, I smile. Not because I regret the experience, but because it taught me lessons, I have carried throughout my career.

1. Never assume you fully understand an assignment. Ask questions. Clarifying expectations at the beginning can save days of unnecessary effort.
2. Know the resources available to you. Every assignment comes with tools, people, and systems designed to help you succeed. Wisdom is not only found in working hard but also in using those resources well.

Young professionals, sometimes believe commitment means doing everything ourselves. With experience, we learn that commitment means ensuring the work is accomplished effectively, whether through our own hands or through the people and systems entrusted to us. Life has a beautiful way of teaching such lessons.

Looking back, I realize my supervisor never asked me to deliver every letter. I was asked to ensure they were delivered. There is a difference between the two. One is about doing the work yourself; the other is about taking responsibility for the outcome.

Years later, I look back at those long and sometimes risky boda boda rides across Kampala and simply smile.