Senegal wants Rihanna, but needs patience

Ladies from Africa join my family for dinner

I hosted a dinner for five lively, lovely women from Africa. They were in the US on an International Visitor program through the World Affairs Council of Kentucky & Southern Indiana (www.WorldKentucky.org). This particular group was in the US to learn entrepreneurship techniques which they could take back and share with the women in their countries. These ladies were entrepreneurs, bankers, and chamber of commerce leaders. They were also delightful.

Their English was minimal, but charming. My French is minimal and not-so-charming. Luckily, we had two great interpreters.

One of the ladies was from Senegal. She made a wonderful observation. She said that when her country talks about growth, they don’t want to develop their own ideas. Instead, they want to import everything from the US or France. “We look at Rihanna and want to copy her look here.”

The people in Senegal are also frustrated that change isn’t happening faster. But, as this lady so wisely noted

Culture doesn’t move that fast.
You aren’t changing tires on your car.

You are attempting to change attitudes and beliefs that are centuries old.

Yes, change will take time. However, Senegal and other African countries will be able to make progress – if they listen to their own intelligent and determined women like the ones sitting around my dining room table.

How can you be an advocate and leader for change in your organization? How can you improve the communication surrounding changes?

By Kelly Watkins, MBA, Global Thought Leader

What is poor communication costing you or your organization? How can your organization be more effective to compete in a global market? Find out: http://www.LeadershipGlobalWomen.com and http://www.KeepCustomers.com