Walking the Talk: Arise Circle coaching professionals for greatness

Such events are moments of enlightenment for the partakers, raising their ambitions and reassuring them.

Delegates follow proceedings during a Coffee Roundtable Conversation planned and hosted by Arise Circle KE, a leadership and development training organization, on July 6, 2023. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.
Delegates follow proceedings during a Coffee Roundtable Conversation planned and hosted by Arise Circle KE, a leadership and development training organization, on July 6, 2023. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.
  • In life, many competing needs, crisscrossing roles, an ever-changing world, leadership responsibilities, loss and other life eventualities keep depleting our cups.
  • A full cup and running over is just but a metaphor used to mean a balanced life, a life of abundance. It is a state of wellness physically, emotionally and psychologically.
  • Everybody should commit to achieving financial abundance through identifying financial regulation mechanisms when we have money and opening channels to make more for sustainability in today’s challenging economic times.

You cannot serve or lead from an empty cup. Fill it and let it overflow so that you are serving from a point of abundance

Edinah Kangwana, Founder and CEO, Arise Circle KE.

As the world continues to move with speed and significant transformation, staying on top of the curve in your profession, mindset and approaches are paramount.

To freshen up the participant’s minds and refill their cups, Arise Circle KE, through its Founder and CEO, Edinah Kangwana MBS, MHC., organized a Coffee Roundtable Conversation on July 6, 2023. 

The Coffee Roundtable Conversation focused on personal development, wellness, service and leadership, among other related topics.

Edinah Kangwana MBS, MHC., Founder and CEO of Arise Circle KE, giving her remarks during a Coffee Roundtable Conversation she hosted recently. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

Arise Circle KE is a leadership and organizational development organization based in Kenya and serving Kenya, Africa, and beyond. 

The organization has a visionary mindset of raising authentic leaders and organizations that are centered on authenticity, value-based, transformational and servanthood leadership.

It executes its transformational mandate through tailored executive leadership coaching, role modeling and mentorship.

The empty cups

Participants keenly follow through the proceedings. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

“We were created in fullness and for a purpose on earth by our Creator, God Almighty, meaning our cups were full. Finding your purpose is a personal journey. Some have found their purpose, some are in the journey and some others are lost in between there,” she explains.

In her words, our cups have to be full and running over for us to be able to fulfill our highest, truest expression of who we were created to be.

As we grow and exist, life happens. Many competing needs, crisscrossing roles, ever-changing world, leadership responsibilities, loss and other life eventualities keep depleting our cups.

She says that we must be conscious of the level of our cups and the content in our cups. Solitude and reflection are key.

Ms. Kangwana during the event. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

“You can not serve or lead from an empty cup. Fill it and let it overflow so that you are serving from a point of abundance,” she says.

A full cup and running over is just but a metaphor used to mean a balanced life, a life of abundance. It is a state of wellness physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Building fundamental pillars around finances, our family and relations, our spirituality, our health, personal development and our wellness routines are key and need to be embraced.

“Our financial pockets are like cups; when we have money, they are filled and when our finances get depleted, they are empty,” she said.

Anyone needing deeper insights on finances should read The Psychology of Money book. Ms. Kangwana has mastered the art of book-giving during such events, encouraging a reading culture among participants. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

She highlighted a few aspects that empty our financial cups: 

Putting your needs last, illness, cultural beliefs and loss of loved ones leave people with empty cups. 

“However, being in a position to know when your cup is empty is vital to avoid to going to extreme conditions of insufficiency,” she explained.

According to the leadership expert, you can not lead, you can not serve if you don’t have money.

“The secret to financial sufficiency is simple but hard to live by. Diversify your income channels, manage your expenses, save and save, invest, and protect your investment,” she urges.

Organizers of the event pose for a photo after the event. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

“Financial sufficiency isn’t the same as richness; it is having enough to be comfortable and to be in charge of your life without worry. You are in control,” Ms. Kangwana advised the participants.

Some signs of depleted cups include: irritability, lack of concentration, procrastination, lack of clarity, difficulty in doing things one used to do with ease, insomnia, eating disorders, anxiety, stress and even depression.

At this level, persons affected may seek temporary relief by engaging in unhealthy behaviors like substance and drug abuse and gambling to attain temporary relief.

Filling our cups

Dr. Walter Okibo, a lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, an entrepreneur and boy-child advocate, advised the participants that financial abundance is critical to both genders.

He noted that currently, we are hit with hard economic issues.

Walter Okibo, a lecturer and entrepreneur, giving financial advice to the participants. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

“You should always look for an extra penny. We need to invest in our own ventures,” Dr. Okibo advised.

He noted that people will always be committed to raising their investments with care like babies, unlike employment, where there is little concern because it’s guaranteed either way, mostly in public service.

Dr. Okibo added that people should ensure they have money working for them even when they are in other businesses or jobs.

Peris Bosibori, a Lecturer at Kisii National Polytechnic and an Entrepreneur, added that money attracts money. 

She encouraged people to have more avenues of channeling in money because that is what grows people.

Peris Bosibori, a Lecturer and Entrepreneur, weighing in on the conversation. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

She also encouraged the need for diversification of income sources. “Only sleep when you know that even in your sleep your money is working for you,” she said.

Setting boundaries 

Sometimes learning to say “no” to certain things seems tough. 

However, you must learn to use the word “no” when you are not in a position to do something or when that thing isn’t appealing to you. “No” is a complete word.

It is better to say “no” rather than to say “yes”, which you can rise up to.

But former Kisii County CEC for Agriculture, Livestock, and Trade, Vincent Sagwe, took the task of educating the people on setting boundaries.

Mr. Sagwe said that learning to set boundaries is a tool for setting boundaries. He advised that people should reject or avoid things that hinder the boundaries, like societal beliefs, and also, trying to please people may deplete you.

Vincent Sagwe, former CEC Kisii County, enlightening the participants on setting boundaries. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

“Saying no to some requests is not selfish, do not say yes when you are unable or most likely unaware of your financial position,” he added.

He said that grown-ups live a donkey’s life, where everyone needs favors, and if boundaries are not set, then there is no safety.

“Let us not be too eager to please; set boundaries and be safe,” Sagwe advised.

Leading from a point of service

It is no secret that everyone wants to be in this leadership position.

Samuel Nyairo, Deputy Governor of Kenya Red Cross Society, advised the audience that they should be leaders in a small way.

Samuel Nyairo, Deputy Governor of Kenya Red Cross, giving his remarks during the Roundtable Conversation. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

“If you want to be a good leader, volunteer; do not think about how you are going to gain from that leadership position.To be a good leader, find ways to handle your people well and love them,” he added.

He also mobilized people to help the special groups that required their help.

He said in one way or another, every Kenyan is a red cross through any local assistance they offer in accidents or calamities.

Isabela Ndemo, a leader at Daraja Mbili market, also advised people on the importance of learning to respect and educate the people we lead well.

Books on personal financial management, as recommended to the audience as reference by Ms. Kangwana. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

Health and profession

Many people are always committed to their jobs and even lack time to do regular health check-ups.

Dr. Orina Edna, a Consultant Radiologist at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, advised the audience on the importance of regularly screening their bodies and being aware of cancer symptoms for early diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Orina Edna, a Consultant Radiologist at KTRH, giving her input. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

She advised that maintaining a healthy body helps achieve better productivity.

Jairus Kibagendi, CEO, A Million Hugs and Co-founder of Ether Wellness Center, gave these wellness strategies for maintaining a healthy mental state: 

Practicing gratitude, getting enough sleep and being well rested, managing your stress effectively, cultivating and investing in positive relationships, prioritizing self-care for our bodies, mind, and soul, and seeking professional help when needed.

Jairus Kibagendi, CEO, A Million Hugs and Co-founder of Ether Wellness Center, sharing a light moment with the participants during the event. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

Kibagendi added that social support is key during periods of navigating tough times.

Participants engage in a physical workout during the event, which is essential for a healthy mind and body. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

Your tribe

Identifying those people that you are sailing with in the same waters is important, as it helps you know how to go about similar challenges from those of your tribe members.

Ruth Kwamboka is a perfect example that identified and rolled with those of her tribe.

Delegates follow proceedings during the occasion. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

“God chooses a special mother to be a mum to a special child,” Ms. Kwamboka lauded.

She is a mother of a special child, and it’s through finding parents like her that she found purpose and ideas for going about her case.

Through identification with her tribe, she has managed to be a co-founder of an Autism Unit, a school for children with autism, with another parent with a special child.

Ruth Kwamboka giving her nuggets. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

She adds that acceptance is key to finding your path early.

Emotional intelligence

Caroline Nyaseti, an entrepreneur, took centerstage to educate people on emotional intelligence.

She said being able to control your emotional reactions in challenging situations equips you to react appropriately and is an aspect you shouldn’t miss.

People should also recognize the emotions of those around them and know they have no control over other people’s emotions.

Caroline Nyaseti, an entrepreneur and CEO of Jasmine Suites. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

This cultivates good working relations and societal connectivity.

It’s us for us

Ms. Kangwana also encouraged people to always support one another when they are in financial abundance, which would help those around them to also grow financially.

She added that people should always check their financial and health status and choose what best suits their interests.

Elijah Nyaanga, CEO of Scholar Media Africa, advised the people to always do whatever works for them and be determined to succeed.

Elijah Nyaanga, Founder and CEO, Scholar Media Africa, follows the day’s proceedings. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.

He also added that people support others that need it.

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Let everybody commit to achieving financial abundance through identifying financial regulation mechanisms when we have money and opening channels to make more for sustainability in today’s hard economic times.

Ms. Kangwana, Mr. Sagwe and Linet Moruri. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.
Ms. Kangwana, the event’s planner and host. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.
Cake-cutting during the event. The cake was at the courtesy of Picadilly Dry Cleaners. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.
Ms. Kangwana with Damaris Kemunto, CEO, DK Ventures, one of her mentees, during the event. PHOTO/Boaz Khuteka, Scholar Media Africa.
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Mr. Nehemiah has interests in writing about culture and art, education and literature. His contact: josephatnehemiah75@gmail.com

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