Tony Mbugua is the Group General Manager for Fintech Kenya Limited. And no, he did not land there by some magic. It has taken him hard work, endurance and humility to rise to where he is today. We had a chat with him and here is what he had to say about his career journey.
What was your biggest struggle in your career and how did you overcome it?
My biggest struggle has been in balancing the needs of different people that you have to work with directly or indirectly. People have different personalities, needs and are different whether it’s your colleagues, stakeholders or clients.
On the second part of the question, it’s a continuous process and you keep improving and learning as time goes by. The key thing is in understanding that people are different and being aware of yourself i.e. who you really are as this has an impact on how you relate to others.
Who did you consider as a role model in your early life? What impact have they had in your life?
My role model has been my late dad. Through him, I learnt lots of values which I embody till today. Some of the greatest teachings from him were on integrity, hard work and humility and never to let success get to my head.
How did you decide on the career path that you are on today?
I did a degree in Sociology & Geography. At the same time, I always had an interest in Commerce. I love numbers and understanding how businesses function. After my degree, I took CPA courses and when I got the first opportunity in Accounting as an Accounts Assistant, I ran with it and rose to a Finance Manager before getting to where I am today.
What do you do to ensure you are continuously growing in your career?
One thing my dad told me is that learning never ends. It’s an everyday process. I try to read widely, practice active listening, attend seminars and observe the happenings in my surrounding. I also went back to school and got my MBA to enable me to acquire new skills. My MBA came in handy when I needed to transition to a management role. Last year I undertook an Executive Development Programme to improve my leadership skills.
What is the biggest piece of advice that you would give 25 – 35-year old's looking for a job?
Take a long-term outlook on your career. Most people nowadays are looking for instant gratification and job-hopping in search of better pay instead of learning valuable skills that will be useful in the future.
What’s the biggest career lesson you’ve learned so far?
The importance of integrity, it’s an invaluable value attribute as it defines you as a person. Integrity isn’t something you can have on one part of your life and it lacks on the other part. It’s something you need to carry all through in your engagement and interactions.
What’s the most challenging thing about your current position?
People responsibility.
It’s not just about leading people but rather the fact that that one employee has a family and you are responsible for their job, lives and family.
What’s the oddest job you’ve ever done?
My holidays while in University were spent at Unga Limited in Eldoret doing manual work in the factory.
What one quote do you live by?
Life is short, enjoy. But enjoy it responsibly.