Gervase Warner, group chief executive officer at Neal and Massy has told graduands at a life skills programme in Never Dirty, Morvant, that having the right skills but the wrong attitude will negatively affect their chances of achieving success. "You see, people who are hard to work with-no matter how smart they are-they don't get very far. You see, talented people who don't get along with people, they (are) kind of boastful or too big for themselves...people get tired of them. People laugh and enjoy when they fall," he said. Warner added: "Attitude is your surest way to succeed. What do I mean by attitude? Well, it's discipline, determination and dedication. You apply that to what it is you have a love for...football, food, (your) studies (and) for sure you'll get noticed...noticed for the right reasons."
Boys to Men–Rites of Passage, was the name of the human development programme, one of the many corporate social responsibility initiatives undertaken by the local conglomerate through the N&M Foundation at which Warner articulated his position last month. Venue was the district's community centre. Ian Jeffers, served as the facilitator of the second instalment of the eight-week programme. It focused on character advancement in that community. The target group was at-risk boys and men. The N&M executive used well established sporting labels to illustrate the point that having a reputable brand was to their benefit.
"What is your brand?" he asked. "What is brand Gervase Warner? What is going to be your brand in the world when people refer to you? What should they expect? Swagger? A kicks man? ...Hustler? Or someone whose got dedication, discipline and determination?" He made it clear that the brand they become would ultimately be a personal choice. Warner expressed pride in the conduct of the young boys and men who made the journey so far. At the event, they communicated growth through self-styled monologues, poetry readings and musical performances. He marveled on seeing participants-who were once coy-take the spotlight to articulate hopes and dreams of a better and brighter tomorrow, not only in relation to their ambitions in the world of work, but working towards improving family life, too.
Some of the careers they envisaged included lawyers, doctors, x-tray technicians and culinary artists. "I am so impressed. Ian (Jeffers) said we had talent in Never Dirty, but I saw some talent tonight like we never saw talent before. When I came in here there was a different energy. I don't know if you all felt it. This is graduation number two. The first time we had a long conversation about self esteem, strength within yourself and the fact that only you could really take away your self esteem," he said. Warner added: "No amount of teasing and peer pressure could take away what you know about yourself. So, it's a fundamental journey to understand within yourself who you are, the talents you've got and who you want to be.
"The goals are terrific. You have earned those goals. You'll make us proud and we are looking to see how you'll operate outside. "We are looking to see your lead, to take on new positions and challenges of leadership. Step into them because you have it." According to Warner, Morvant participants had begun the crucial journey of taking charge of their lives and community and would consequently bear responsibility for turning T&T around. He cited the need for men to become great fathers, and career professionals and urged participants who were still in the education system to take advantage of knowledge shared, citing it was a sure way to step up in life.
Warner acknowledged there would be distractions: party, friends-but underscored that education was the surest path to success. "It isn't absolutely necessary, but it sure does help a whole lot. What counts the most in life is attitude," he said.