A New Context, A Familiar Question

A New Context, A Familiar Question

I am currently in Côte d’Ivoire on a one-month SAP Social Sabbatical in partnership with Pyxera Global.

A few days ago, I started my second week working alongside an NGO, supporting them in their journey to grow and succeed. Every day here brings a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and reflection. New environments tend to do that — they make you question what you thought you already understood.

And one question has been coming back to me again and again.

Rethinking How We Grow

In my home country, when a child struggles at school, the common response is clear: hire a private tutor to help them catch up, reach the average, and move forward.

It works. But it has never fully convinced me.

What if, instead of focusing so much on what is missing, we invested more in what is already there? What if we helped individuals go further in what they are naturally good at?

By nurturing talent and amplifying strengths, we move closer to excellence. I keep imagining what that would look like at scale — a world where each person contributes their best abilities to the community.

Seeing Talent in Action

This idea is no longer theoretical for me. Here, I see it happening.

During this social sabbatical, I am surrounded by people who are using their skills and experience to help others grow. There is intention behind what they do. There is direction.

Our collective goal is to support NGOs focused on empowering young people and women — two groups that hold immense potential for long-term societal impact.

And when talent meets purpose, something powerful happens.

Purpose Meets Constraints

What strikes me most in these organizations is their passion.

They believe deeply in what they do. They are close to the communities they serve. They see the impact of their work almost immediately — and that creates a strong sense of purpose.

But there is another side to the story.

Limited resources. Operational challenges. The constant need to do more with less.

And yet, they continue. With resilience. With commitment. With creativity.

It is inspiring — and also a reminder that impact is rarely built in perfect conditions.

The Role We Play

This is where we, as consultants, come in.

Not as people with all the answers, but as partners. As listeners. As collaborators.

Coming from a background where access to education and opportunities is not universal, being here feels personal. It is meaningful to contribute not only with knowledge, but with presence — with the willingness to understand before acting.

Because real impact is not about imposing solutions. It is about co-creating ones that make sense, that can last, and that truly serve the context.

What We Receive When We Give

One belief I carry with me is simple: when we give, we also receive.

And here, what I receive is learning.

Learning from different cultures. From new ways of thinking. From alternative approaches to problem-solving. From realities that challenge my assumptions.

It is not always easy. Adapting to a different context requires effort. It requires humility.

But it is deeply rewarding.

The Discipline of Focus

If there is one lesson that has become clear in this first phase, it is the importance of focus.

The instinct is to help in every possible way. To fix everything. To bring as much value as possible.

But real impact does not work like that.

It comes from narrowing the scope. From choosing carefully. From defining clear and scalable outcomes.

Impact is not only about intention — it is about execution. And, most importantly, about sustainability.

Doing the Right Things Well

As I move into the next weeks of this journey, I find myself simplifying my thinking.

Meaningful change does not come from doing everything. It comes from doing the right things well.

It comes from aligning talent with purpose.

From combining passion with structure.

From building solutions that continue long after we are gone.

A Simple but Powerful Idea

If I had to summarize this experience so far, it would be this:

When people are empowered to use their strengths in service of others, both individuals and communities thrive.

And that is where real impact begins.