Read about what participants on the InterAction Leadership Programme have to say about the Programme. If you would like to share your responses to these testimonials, you can do so by posting a forum topic or by contacting the participant directly, using the Member List.

• A wonderful innovation David Walugembe 15 Aug 2008 • The magic of InterAction Rueben L Lifuka 05 Aug 2008 • Enabling others inspires me Nancy 08 Jul 2008 • Thinking outside the box Dr Kofi Poku 08 Jun 2008 • InterAction is life giving Trust Chikohora 07 May 2008 • The InterAction programme helps Mekonnen Hailemariam 19 Apr 2008 • Everyone wants to be heard Bisrat Okubamichael 17 Apr 2008 • Ubuntu is the glue that binds us Amare Abebaw 10 Apr 2008 • Helping people Ekene Mekwunye 09 Apr 2008 • People are mysteries - not problems Chisomo Chimwaza 08 Apr 2008 Next Page 1 of 20 pages

A STORY OF MY INTERACTION JOURNEY

Before I joined the InterAction Africa Leadership Programme, I had difficulties in controlling my temper when I was angry. If I had not said all that I wanted to say I would not let go. This attitude really stressed me up as it kept me confused on what the real issues to be tackled were and sometimes led to conflicting situations making the problem more difficult to handle.

With the InterAction Leadership Programme, I have realized the importance of staying in control of oneself even in the middle of a crisis. My guiding principle for every action I undertake in a crisis is how this action would enable me or others to do great work. I had this very trying experience sometime in late 2007. I had to present a paper on the Cameroon Judicial System at a seminar in a town three hours away from where I work.

Controlling anger

I had a very busy morning at work, then in the afternoon I had to travel to the seminar venue. The vehicle I hired for the travel did not come on time, thus I was one hour late for the seminar. As I approached the co-ordinator of the seminar in a friendly manner to explain what had happened, she would not listen and vented her anger on me while seminar participants could hear. I decided to un-hear some of the things she said. I kept in mind that I had put in a lot to come up with my paper and I had to present it in the most exciting manner possible.

Five minutes into my presentation, I heard a shout from the back of the hall “stop, stop, you are too fast, you would not come late and try to rush over things”. This was the co-ordinator again. I was really under stress and felt like retaliating. I took in a deep breath, then surprisingly with a smile, I said to the participants “You have heard what our great leader has said, until you all understand what I say, do not let me move forward”.

They all laughed and I continued. I was later told I made a good presentation. My goal was achieved and I was proud of that. A few weeks after the seminar, this seminar co-ordinator who heads a Non Governmental Organization told someone that she used to be the hot type when she was angry, but that she was learning from me and trying to control her outburst of emotions when facing a crisis.