Leading Track

It was quiet. Linda stood in front of the audience. She cleared his throat, paused for a few seconds, and started to speak.

"Good evening everyone.", Linda said. "It's a privilege to speak before all of you as we celebrate the life of one woman who wanted to make a difference to the world. And I had the great opportunity to work for her."

She spoke in the wake of Alyssa Mandino, the business tycoon who owned Fortius Inc. It is a technology company known for giving products and solutions to help developing countries reach their maximum potential for economic progress. Alyssa's contributions made her earn the world's respect.

This is the eulogy that Linda wrote for the wake:

Madam Issa was the most passionate woman I've met in my entire life. She wanted to leave a legacy by molding people to become the best leaders in their own right.

When I learned that I would work with a team she made, I was a bit hesitant. I'm not the type who likes working in groups. But she saw a future in the team, so she encouraged me to try. And so I did, and that's when I saw her heart for it.

She made time to keep the team together and ensure that we do things effectively. Madam Issa's three important rules are responsibility, authority, and accountability. And I think everybody who has worked with her knows that. She was a tough equipper. She worked on building our potential. She would challenge us often to maximize what we've learned.

Apart from being the boss, she's also a mentor. She took the extra mile to know us personally. She would ask us how we're doing every day. She would be there to patiently help us every step of the way so that we can succeed. She also ensured that we know how to mentor so that we can pass it on to the next in line.

I'll never forget the moment when she treated dinner for the Team after winning multiple leadership awards. She said to us:

"I'll never ever regret investing in all of you. You've grown a lot as individuals. You can make things happen. You can seize every good opportunity. You can influence others to a great leader attitude."

"And you've become a unique team. You're a team of consistency, transparency, and significance. I'm amazed that you were able to achieve these as young as you are. You have the spirit of big dreamers. No wonder you can do them excellently. And I'm so proud of all of you. And to me, you're all a perfect 10."

Hearing those words from her was a big deal for us. I remembered those difficult times, and we're happy to know that she was there. She was with us for every up and down we faced. And I would remember her reminder about working with the team.

"Never let guilt, anger, greed, and jealousy get in the way of the team. It's the green-eyed monster that ruins relationships. There's no competition. When you feel one, celebrate. It's the way to defeat it."

She had to remind us that because she knew how much we were hilariously competitive.

When we had families of our own, she would remind us this:

"In success and failure, never forget your family. Whether you're with your family or the family of your own, keep your ties with them strong. You have the most important relationships there."

"Express appreciation for each other. Structure your lives to spend time together. Deal crisis positively. Communicate continually. Share the same values. Build your marriage."

And we took those words to heart. We were then amazed at how we became closely connected to one another. Even our children are following the lead.

It's all because of Madam Issa. And so I thank you, Madam, for the impact you made in our lives.

If there's a legacy she left, it's her genuine heart. She wanted to help people make lives better. That's why she modeled strong leadership to get to that heart. She taught us that a true leader should have character, influence, attitude, people skills, gifts, track record, confidence, self-discipline, communication skills, and discontent from the status quo. Everything you see around the place is a result of her vision that has come fruit.

Madam Issa, your legacy will live on. And we'll carry on. This isn't the end, as we'll meet again soon.

Thank you.

There was loud applause. It came from a large gathering of people from all around the world from all walks of life. They then fell in line to give their condolences to the family and give their tributes to the entrepreneur.