My Homies - Villagemates

When Workplace Bonds Undermine Accountability: A Reflection on Work Culture in Rwanda

In many Rwandan workplaces, the office is more than a place of employment—it is a shared life space. We share stories, advice, struggles, laughter, and sometimes even personal burdens. We build strong relationships. We learn to read each other’s emotions. Our culture emphasizes unity, care, and togetherness. When things are going well, this system feels powerful and human. But this same strength can quietly become a weakness. When Relationships Replace Responsibility Because of the bonds we create at work, small mistakes are often ignored or tolerated. Colleagues coach each other informally, cover for one another, or delay tough conversations in the name of harmony. Over time, this turns into a pattern—poor performance is normalized, and accountability weakens. This is not kindness; it is a leadership failure. True leadership is not about protecting comfort. It is about protecting standards. When individuals develop lazy attitudes or consistently underperform, but the team ke...

My Journey to the ALU

In the dynamic world of social entrepreneurship, it is the ability to constantly learn, adapt, and grow that truly sets leaders apart. As, the Managing Director of Earthenable , an innovative social enterprise, is a perfect embodiment of this growth mindset. My journey from a technical background in civil and building engineering to leading a complex business model at Earthenable is a testament to my adaptability and unique leadership style. My tenure at Earthenable has been marked by significant milestones and a relentless pursuit of excellence. For more than five years, I have held different roles from a Research and Development Associate, Quality Assurance associate, a District Manager, a Deputy Managing Director and now a Rwanda Managing Director . This has been at the helm of this intricate business model, navigating the challenges of the social enterprise sector with a steady hand and a clear vision. My technical background has served as a strong foundation, enabling me to ...

The Polished Predator: How Human Savagery Hides Behind Good Manners

“Animals kill to eat. Humans sometimes destroy each other to succeed. The jungle is not a place, it’s a behavior.” — Edouard In the forest, survival is honest. A lion chases because it is hungry. A wolf defends because it must protect its pack. Conflict in the wild is direct, visible, and purposeful. No animal pretends to be your ally while quietly plotting your fall. No deer smiles while setting a trap for another deer’s reputation. But step into modern society: an office, a boardroom, a political campaign, even a social circle, and you may notice something unsettling: the hunt never ended. It simply learned how to wear perfume, speak politely, and send emails. The Competition That Creates Enemies Many of the rivalries that shape our lives are not born from real threats. Two colleagues join the same team. Neither has harmed the other. Yet within weeks, comparison creeps in: Who speaks more in meetings? Who gets recognized by leadership? Who seems closer to the manager...

Nature Within Us

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