An Epic Rumination Over An Epic Concept
Over the past few weeks of encountering Andela, one solid maxim that my recalcitrant mind was able to effortlessly magnet is the EPIC. It’s not about something archaic. This is about a remarkable concept. This is because this one word embodies Andela’s very core values. As a result, it’s a bell that’s incessantly rung into my subconscious. From the epic values to the epic tower, so is the journey into Andela.
The EPIC values, to Andela and aspiring Andelans like me too, are the most pivotal precepts that hold the keys to driving one forward. Epic is simply an acronym for Excellence, Passion, Integrity and Collaboration. An extra key is Commitment. Of course, over the gradual course of time, my ever-curious mind has always reflected on what exactly is bound to be embodied within this epic word — hopefully, epic concepts indeed.
Okay. Now, one at a go, let’s dissect EPIC.
Excellence entails attaining the apex in a given venture. It requires giving your best and performing beyond expectations. Average is the direct opposite to excellence. You think that sounds controversial? Should I have said failure instead? Well, failure is never a stop — to individuals with a growth mindset, at least. You either excel or you learn how to excel. That’s what Andela has enriched us with, anyway. A growth mindset is one that is not fixed. And a fixed one is that with an unyielding static pessimistic psychological disposition to progress. Summarily, seeking excellence requires you do your best and even stretch yourself beyond limits without reaching a breaking point.
Just now, a line from a popular Arabic poem called Laamiyyah crossed my mind. My instinct tells me that the poet had “Passion” in mind while composing it. “Whoever cheriches the goal, his sacrifices on the way look intangible”, says the poet. Such is the case when passion is the driver towards a vision. In other word, it’s not sensible to fall in love with a lady and forcibly get married to a man. It’s a relationship destined from the start to collapse. Passion is loving what you do. Passion is being immersed in what you do. Passion is owning your dreams and all the challenges they come with.
My favourite definition for integrity is “doing the right thing even when no one is watching”. Contextual example? I have a colleague who is working on a multimillion-dollar project. Incidentally, I’m left alone with his codes having no restrictions from betraying his trust and stealing his codes. Not stealing his codes is integrity. Not plagiarising codes is integrity. Referencing external helps in a code is integrity. This is my favourite value. In the long run, it gifts you self love.
Teamwork is an indispensable tool to any growing firm. Andela can’t do without it. No organization can. Being able to interact freely with colleagues facilitate work progress. An estranged personality is a strange person at Andela. To effectively convey this value, Andela has all her activities racism free, unbiased to religious backgrounds, free from personal grudges and directed strictly by preset standards.
Reflecting on these epic values have greatly influenced my orientation in the recent days. What an epic reflection it is!