Finding Diamonds in the Rough
Two years ago, I walked into the office of a non-profit for a meeting. The meeting starts and as is customary I am asked whether I would like tea or coffee. Coffee I say, I usually have my coffee black and only go for a cappuccino when I feel like I want to indulge. The “office boy” is asked to come in to note the order. I see a familiar face, it’s Irfan, I know him for 3 years now. He used to work with us at our previous non-profit before our company decided to cost cut and let the support staff go ( a different story that I would like to share at some point of how cost-cutting measures can go very wrong). I am glad to see him, at least he has a job.
Irfan makes brilliant coffee, and his cappuccino was the best. I immediately switch my preference from a black coffee to a cappuccino. I don’t exactly know why he was so good at his art, but I would venture a guess. Irfan is meticulous. He had the same ingredients everyone else has, what he does differently, however, is that every action is measured and intended. This quality of his did not just apply to coffee making, it extended to other work he did too. If you gave him a task you knew it would be done well. Unfortunately, the most complicated task for him perhaps would be to make coffee day in day out and three years later this hasn't changed still.
After the meeting was over, I stopped to have a quick chat with Irfan. He had been working temp jobs since he was laid off from the previous organization and this current role was a 15-day fix as well. As soon as I heard this, I asked him to pay me a visit after his stint was over here. I had more in mind for him.
This was July 2017; Irfan came over to Clinic5’s office and since then in 2 years he has become an integral part of our organization. With us through his agency, he finished his high school & intermediate education, completed online MOOCs in Project Management, Administration & Construction & an after-work English Course to become proficient in email and business communication.
Today, he manages the Administration of our Clinic & Office and significantly helps me run my day to day affairs which allows me to focus on growing and building the organization. In the evenings he teaches basic reading and writing to our office cleaner who has not had the chance to go to school.
He had intent and I was willing to put in the resources & provide the flexibility he needed to achieve his potential. In return, he has given back to me and our organization more than I could ever expect. Irfan was a diamond in the rough who just needed the right environment to shine.
Our country is full of these diamonds. If you have privilege, do be on the lookout for them. Invest your time & resources and you would get back manifold. When I started out with Clinic5, I thought the most gratifying thing for me would be the outwards impact we have with our work. 3 years later, I would say its equal parts that and seeing the people around you grow in their abilities and capacity. Take the bet on people, it’s a guaranteed win.
Happy Weekend!
