By Bernard Kelvin Clive
During one of the training sessions I have conducted across the nation, I met an 86-year-old craftsman—a seasoned expert in his field. With over 45 years of experience, he has built a reputation for his skill.
That’s a long time, and remarkably, he’s still healthy and active. As we spoke, he shared some wisdom from his journey. He acknowledged that while his career has spanned decades, his success rate has remained steady, albeit average.
He reflected on how things had changed. Early in his career, there were few competitors in his field, and his expertise commanded a high demand and a substantial income. But over the years, trends shifted, competition grew, and his once-exclusive skills became less distinctive.
At one point in his career, he had a pivotal realization. He began as an apprentice, learning his craft as an auto mechanic through hands-on experience. With dedication, he mastered the trade, even innovating and creating solutions as needed. By continuously upgrading his knowledge, he honed his skills, often traveling to assist clients in other regions.
The Missed Opportunity to Scale
There was a time when he had opportunities to travel abroad to share his expertise. However, at one critical stage in his career, while his skills were in high demand internationally, he faced a setback.
He recounted a specific contract that required certification for the expert in his field. Despite his extensive experience and outstanding ability, he didn’t hold the necessary certification. He had learned everything on the job and mastered his craft, but he lacked formal credentials.
Because of this, he couldn’t secure the contract. The company insisted on hiring someone with certified qualifications, regardless of his proven track record.
He reflected on this as the first major lesson in his career: if he had obtained a certificate in his field, his business and career would have skyrocketed to new heights. But without it, that opportunity slipped away, despite his undeniable expertise.
Let me pause here. Many of us find ourselves in similar situations. I’ve spoken with people who are exceptionally skilled—some naturally gifted, others self-taught—who have mastered their craft over time.
These skills can take us far, especially in the early stages of our careers or brand growth. However, when we aim for a higher level, certification and accreditation often become non-negotiable. Without them, certain barriers, limits, and opportunities remain inaccessible.
Get Certified!
That was his first bitter lesson: certification is essential for crossing those thresholds.
Over time, he took short courses here and there to upgrade his skills. He had a passion for learning, which was evident even at 86. He attended the training session I was facilitating—organized for artisans—fully engaged and eager to absorb more.
His love for learning remained strong, but the lack of key certifications earlier in his career had already limited his trajectory. While he’s doing well now, he no longer has the drive to pursue certifications or aim for new heights. Instead, his focus has shifted.
At this stage of life, his goal is to pass on his expertise to younger people, ensuring they avoid the mistakes he made. This marked his first encounter with the challenges of not having certification.
Missed Opportunity to Mentor Others
The second realization he shared was about the missed opportunity to mentor and coach others. He reflected that if he had focused more on developing an apprenticeship system or actively mentoring young people, he could have multiplied his impact. By transferring his expertise to others, those individuals could have carried his legacy further, acquiring the certifications and accreditations he lacked.
Instead, much of his career was centered on his own work. He admitted that this limited his reach. He missed the chance to create a network of skilled protégés who could have climbed to even greater heights than he imagined, elevating both themselves and his craft.
Though he’s now in his later years, he’s trying to make up for it by mentoring the next generation.
This is a second regret and a challenge for us all as brands and experts in our fields. While we may not have everything we need, it’s essential to identify and invest in people we can mentor—sharing our expertise, grooming them, and guiding them to surpass even our achievements.
The things we couldn’t accomplish ourselves, we can teach them to do and do even better. This benefits society strengthens our legacy, and ensures the longevity of our work.
So today, think about your career and your current level of success. Who have you identified as someone to mentor, grow, or groom? Are you actively helping them to reach greater heights—not just for their sake, but to expand your brand’s impact and preserve your legacy?
This is vital—not just for ourselves, but for posterity
Build your Trust Quotient
The third lesson this old man shared with me was about the value of trust. He reflected on how, over the years, he worked alongside colleagues in the same field, all enjoying varying degrees of success. Yet, one of his biggest regrets was witnessing a gradual decline in trust within the industry.
He emphasized how critical trust had been to his career. Despite not having certification, those who knew his work consistently sought him out. They trusted him—with their cars, their needs—and he always delivered.
This trust became his greatest asset. When I asked about his shop, I was surprised to learn that, even now, he doesn’t have a signboard or name for it. Instead, his name has become a household reference in the community. People recognize and recommend him based on his reputation alone.
However, he acknowledged that while trust had sustained him, he had overlooked the importance of visibility. He now plans to put up a signpost—a necessity in today’s noisy, competitive world, where standing out is crucial. Without distinguishing yourself, he said, you risk fading into obscurity.
But his key takeaway for all of us wasn’t just about signage or branding. It was the intangible value of trust. He stressed that trustworthiness had carried him far and urged us to prioritize it in our businesses and careers.
Let’s keep our trust quotient high. Let’s ensure that people—clients, colleagues, and communities—can rely on us. Let’s commit to doing what’s right at every level of our careers and never settle for mediocrity. Trust is not just a value; it’s a cornerstone of long-term success.
Put your Heart into It
Can you be trusted? As I always say, if you can be trusted, you have business. If you can’t be trusted, you have no business.
The final lesson this old man shared with me was this: you can obtain certifications, build a solid brand, and grow a thriving business—but if your heart isn’t in the job, you’ll miss out on something essential.
Even at 86, he remains dedicated to his craft. He could have ventured into other fields, but he chose to stay because he loves what he does. He poured his heart into his work, striving to make every project a masterpiece. His attention to detail and commitment to excellence defined his career.
He told me, “Yes, I have very little formal education, but I love my job. I make sure I do it, and I do it well.”
To the younger generation building businesses and brands, he had this advice: You might start a job without passion, but you must cultivate a love for what you do. When the storms of life or the trials of business come, that love will sustain you. It will keep you going, allowing you to weather challenges and deliver work that clients value and admire.
These are the four great lessons he shared with me about business and branding:
- Get certified.
- Mentor others and invest in the next generation.
- Build trust and maintain it as a cornerstone of your success.
- Love what you do—it’s the foundation of success and excellence.
I hope these lessons inspire and guide us all as we reflect on our practices.
Some of these you may already be doing, and others you may need to start. But they are invaluable for helping our businesses and brands thrive.
Let me hear from you regarding your branding and book publishing needs.
Bernard Kelvin Clive is a leading authority on personal branding and digital book publishing in Africa. With over a decade of experience in digital publishing, he has been a trusted consultant for entrepreneurs, pastors, and individuals looking to build their brands and write their books.
. To learn more about Bernard and his work, visit www.BKC.name. WhatsApp: +233244961121
