OCHIENG: Business leadership tips from Safari Rally

Rally racing has lessons for everything.

Each car brings together two people who must work as one with thousands of life and death split-second decisions.

If the driver and the navigator must have an argument or disagreement, it must not last more than two seconds before they are back on the same page otherwise risk not just losing the race but much more - life!

This is one of the reasons that make WRC Safari Rally particulalrly captivating.

It is not just the thrill of speed, the roar of finely tuned engines, or the breathtaking landscapes of Naivasha and Olkaria.

It is the raw test of resilience, strategy and human ingenuity.

Every rally is a battle against time, terrain and unpredictable conditions - an unforgiving contest where only the most prepared, disciplined and adaptable emerge victorious.

As a business leader, all one needs to do is to ignore the dust and the adrenaline, and what comes into sharp focus is a perfect analogy for leadership and business success.

The WRC Safari Rally is not just a motorsport event, it is a masterclass in high-stakes decision-making, risk management and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Every rally champion knows that the race is won long before the engine starts.

It is won in the months of preparation, getting worthy sponsors, picking the right car, poring over maps, fine-tuning engines, playing weatherman to foretell weather patterns and strategising every possible manoeuvre. Without this foundation, even the most talented driver is bound to fail.

The same holds true in business and leadership. Success does not come from mere ambition. Granted, ambition is good but it must be accompanied by meticulous preparation.

The greatest companies, like the greatest drivers, do not wait for opportunities, they anticipate them. They study markets, understand customer needs, build strong foundations and prepare for every possibility. Those who plan ahead will always be ahead.

The WRC Safari Rally is a race unlike any other. One moment, a driver is cruising on a dry dirt road, the next, a sudden downpour has turned the track into an impassable swamp.

The unpredictability of the rally mirrors the unpredictability of life and business.

No matter how much we prepare, obstacles will come.

Some of the world’s biggest brands were built on well-calculated risks, bold expansions, innovative breakthroughs, daring investments. But every great leader also knows that not every opportunity is worth chasing.

The art of risk management lies in making bold moves while protecting the core of what makes a business strong.

Frank Ochieng is marketing and corporate communication manager, KenGen PLC