- Robert Kibaara, the CEO of HF Group, credited his professional achievements to adopting a "self-employed" mentality, consistently going above and beyond his designated responsibilities and committing himself to ongoing education.
- Kibaara emphasized the importance of wise financial management and promoted investing in appreciating assets along with cautious borrowing.
- He emphasized the significance of volunteering, establishing connections, and generating "practical value" for individual and career development, noting that these elements unlock avenues that enhance one’s potential to secure better earning prospects.
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Roberto Muyela is a seasoned business journalist working for CDRNEWS.co.ke, boasting more than nine years of expertise in digital media. He provides comprehensive analysis on Kenya’s and international economic patterns.
Robert Kibaara, the CEO of HF Group, has recounted his motivational story along with insights into professional development and fiscal responsibility.
Kibaara, who has spent more than three decades in banking, stated that he views his professional journey through the lens of considering himself "self-employed," irrespective of his position or designation. This insight was shared during a recent Twitter Space event organized by Abojani Investment.
Kibaara mentioned that this strategy had ignited his success and might serve as a crucial element for those looking to advance in their respective areas.
"Regardless of who writes your salary check, consider yourself as self-employed. By seeing yourself this way, you avoid limitations. Instead, you constantly look for opportunities to increase value, irrespective of your role," remarked Kibaara, who started his journey as a clerk at Barclays Bank at age 21.
His path has been characterized by an unyielding drive for knowledge acquisition and professional growth. Starting his academic venture at Kenyatta University with a focus on education, he shifted gears towards banking—a sector in which he eventually attained high-ranking positions such as Retail Director at NIC Bank and Retail and Business Banking Executive at National Bank of Kenya.
He has previously taken up leadership positions at Standard Chartered Bank and Barclays Bank of Kenya (which is now known as Absa). This experience allowed him to amass extensive expertise in areas such as finance, retail banking, and executive management.
He possesses an MBA from Strathmore University, a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Sunderland in the UK, along with a postgraduate diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Allocating and handling finances prudently
In addition to career guidance, Kibaara offered wisdom on handling personal finances. He believes in focusing on investments that increase in value over the years, staying away from expenditures that deplete wealth, and utilizing time to achieve compounded growth.
He highlighted the importance of prioritising appreciating assets over depreciating ones, using the example of car purchases, a dream many Kenyas of the middle class have but has drowned many in the pit of endless debt.
Many of us have learned this through experience. Purchasing a vehicle is exciting initially, yet from the very first day, it begins losing value because of depreciation and upkeep costs. Rather than doing that, consider investing that amount in assets that increase in value and dedicate yourself to understanding investments better. This approach will make your finances start working on your behalf.
He noted that time is a crucial factor in accumulating wealth, particularly when one efficiently manages their earnings relative to spending.
The substantial impact that time compounds can result in notable advantages if you're cautious," he cautioned, emphasizing that exceeding your financial limits could diminish the positive effects of this compounding.
Kibaara also addressed the topic of debt, recommending its prudent and strategic utilization.
"He recommended using debt solely for purposes that contribute to growth and offer a solid return on investment," emphasizing the need to assess the rationale behind assuming any financial liabilities.
Volunteering and building breadth
Kibaara emphasized another key element as being willing to volunteer for duties outside of one’s official job role. In the early stages of his career, he actively looked for chances to assume additional responsibilities.
At my former positions, I used to inquire with my direct supervisor about taking charge of a division whenever someone was out on leave. I often went above and beyond what was officially expected of me; however, I understood that the world does not deprive you unjustly. Each valuable contribution plants seeds for tomorrow, and the returns ultimately grow manifold.
Kibaara attributes this active strategy for providing him with both "broadness" and "depth" in his expertise—an essential duo for advancing in one’s career.
“Broadness lies in understanding numerous subjects, whereas depth involves mastering a single topic exceptionally well. Both are essential in a career. To achieve broad knowledge, volunteer for tasks beyond your official responsibilities,” he suggested.
Creating connections and incorporating "functional worth"
Kibaara also highlighted the significance of establishing professional connections and incorporating what he referred to as "practical worth" in each position.
"He mentioned that typically individuals only contribute as much as they are compensated for, whereas those who excel invest more into their work than they extract from it. The world seldom shortchanges anyone; every positive action invariably receives its due compensation," emphasizing the principle of reciprocal benefits in professional development.
He emphasized that enhancing value goes beyond just fulfilling designated tasks; it involves contributing positively to one’s organization.
"Here’s what contributes significantly: How can one genuinely make a difference? Many individuals merely perform their assigned tasks, whereas those who excel actively strive to create value. This concept is referred to as 'value addition,' " he clarified.
For Kibaara, forging connections and establishing networks has been an essential factor in his achievements.
"I dedicate much of my time to constructing networks and connections that can subsequently benefit both the organization and me personally," he remarked. He contended that these connections frequently create pathways and result in fresh prospects.
Financial wisdom and the river comparison
Kibaara compared money to a river—it perpetually flows.
It doesn’t matter how big the river nearby is; it’s all about how you use the water. Properly handling cash flow is crucial for enhancing our worth without compromising our financial security," he stated, elaborating that prosperity isn’t about increasing income but rather about effectively dealing with whatever is left once costs have been covered.
For Kibaara, this involves deliberately deciding on expenditures, keeping obligations aligned with one’s income, and investing wisely to ensure a stable future.
Investing in oneself
The final bit of wisdom Kibaara shared revolved around investing in oneself.
"You become the largest stakeholder in your own company named 'Yourself.' When I put investment into myself and enhance my skills, I am able to contribute more to this business and naturally boost my potential for earning," he emphasized, highlighting the significance of ongoing learning, reading, and personal growth.
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