ZIMBABWE is home to one of the most vibrant cultures, resilient people, and innovative minds. On the other hand, despite this potential, its citizens continue to struggle with poverty, inequality, and stagnating economic growth as a nation.
Could it be that a spiritual curse?
Never!
Throughout 2024 and as it transitions into 2025, Zimbabwe's economy continues to navigate a complex blend of opportunities and challenges.
Zimbabwe is positioned for rapid economic development premised on collaborative leadership and engagement that prioritise the interests and needs of its citizens.
However, the country has been facing an increased growth of the informal sector whilst the formal sector is shrinking. The informal sector continues to absorb a significant portion of the labour force, despite the fact that unemployment remains high, particularly in the formal sector.
In a normal working economy, a strike of balance between the flow of resources from formal and informal markets has to be ensured for a prosperous economy.
It is true that some of the key areas of the economy are functioning well whilst others are underperforming. In order to ensure a prosperous Zimbabwe, there is need for strong and effective leadership.
Effective leadership is a transformative process that begins with self-leadership (or personal leadership), as individuals possess varying degrees of control over themselves and others.
The major question that arises pertains to what every citizen should do in order to have a prosperous economy. The popular advice that has been given is that people should follow their passion in order to build a prosperous nation.
However, other scholars caution against the delusion of relying on the work of citizens, who are pursuing their own individual pursuits and passions to drive personal and national progress. The warning is in direct opposition to the prevailing culture of motivational presenters and those who advocate for personal development through people following their own passion.
Passion is a motivating influence that inspires and energises individuals to pursue their interests and objectives, as defined within our context of subject.
The ability to afford wants (luxurious) and upgraded basic requirements (housing, transportation, health, and food) are examples of such common interests.
Following one passion means that one may be focused on their own self-serving interest and negating the needs of the society at large. In particularly, following one's passion contradicts the African Ubuntu, a philosophy that underscores the interconnectedness of all individuals and the responsibilities we have to the environment and one another.
Following one's passion means that individual interests are no longer subordinate to the interests of the society at large.
There are a few dark spots that can be experienced at personal and national levels from blindly following their passion:
Pie-in-the-sky: When an individual follows their passion, he or she is likely to experiencing unrealistic expectations. The pressure to turn passion into a career can lead to disappointment and burnout.
Vulnerability to unstable sources of income: If everyone pursues their passion in a particular field, it can result in oversaturation in that area, which could result in high competition for employment and potentially lower wages, while leaving other essential sectors understaffed. The end result will be personal financial instability as a result of pursuing a passion-based career which might not guarantee financial security, leading to stress and disillusionment. At thenational level, the belief that one can always secure a career that is personally fulfilling due to passion can result in job shifting and disappointment, which can disrupt the stability of the workforce.
Disconnect between passion and skills: There is a likelihood of an interaction between the skills acquired in life and this passion. The mere possession of a passion in an area does not guarantee that one will excel in it or achieve success. One can be proficient in a particular area without a passion for it, and be very successful. Passion is not necessarily correlated with skills, which is of the utmost importance in the context of personal, professional and national success. The more effective approach is to concentrate on one's skills and determine how they can be applied to a career or skills.
Ignoring critical sector: The "follow your passion" mantra can perpetuate the idea that individual success is the ultimate goal, neglecting the importance of community and social responsibility. A nation needs a workforce that is diverse and possesses a wide range of skills in a variety of sectors, such as healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing. "Following your passion" can occasionally prioritise personal enjoyment over the acquisition of essential skills, which could potentially impede the capacity to adjust to evolving market demands or contribute to complex projects that necessitate a wide range of expertise. Vital areas of the economy may be overlooked if everyone exclusively concentrates on their passion hence negatively impacting on the socio-economic development of the country.
Dynamic nature of passions: The maxim "follow your passion" assumes that passions remain constant over time. Throughout their lifetimes, humans undergo a continuous process of development and what was once cherished and regarded as a passion may now serve as a fond (or not so fond) memory. The evolution of passion and interests over time and environmental changes and relocations.
Passions can change over time, making it challenging to commit to a single path.
"Mantras such as "find your passion" have concealed implications, they suggest that the pursuit of an interest will be effortless once it resonates.
However, this mentality increases the likelihood of an individual encountering disappointments and negatively affecting socio-economic development of the country.
To overcome the darks spots associated with following one`s passion, there is need for self-leadership. The second part of the article deals with self-leadership.
Chengeta is a pan African leadership consultant, author and speaker at Connecting Africa Group. These weekly New Perspectives articles, published in the Zimbabwe Independent, are coordinated by Lovemore Kadenge, an independent consultant, managing consultant of Zawale Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, past president of the Zimbabwe Economics Society and past president of the Chartered Governance & Accountancy Institute in Zimbabwe (CGI Zimbabwe). — kadenge.zes@gmail.com or mobile: +263 772 382 852.
