College Experiences That Helped A CEO At Farrukh Foundation Succeed
Humzah's significant career lesson is that "impact takes time," requiring a long-term commitment and celebrating small wins daily; the accumulation of these "private victories" ultimately leads to large-scale positive change, exemplified by projects like building water wells or opening schools.
Executive/Leadership, Nonprofit Leadership, Long-Term Commitment, Impact and Change, Overcoming Challenges
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Humzah Farrukh
CEO
Farrukh Foundation
UCLA
N/A
Anthropology, Sociology
Education, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Business Strategy
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Long-term commitment and celebrating small wins are crucial for achieving significant impact.
2. Leadership in the non-profit sector involves public scrutiny; focus on private victories to stay motivated.
3. Accumulation of small wins eventually leads to large-scale positive change and public recognition.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
What I've learned is that impact takes time. There are no quick fixes in helping children globally or in education systems. True change requires a long-term commitment and the ability to celebrate small wins every single day.
The last part is especially important. If you're able to change the life of one person significantly, even in the short term, that is a big milestone. That is a big win, even though it may seem small in the present. The accumulation of all those small wins contributes to something very big.
The second piece of advice I have for students is that leadership in the nonprofit industry is a very public role. Many individuals will question what you do. There will be articles and organizations taking apart everything you have done.
One very important thing is to take care of private victories. This means every single day you're working on something that concretely takes the organization forward. All of that is cashed in, and those small wins, those private victories, lead to one big public victory.
This could be building a large water well project or opening a new school. Being surrounded by the children and the grateful community at the opening ceremony is the moment you realize the impact. All those meetings, hurdles, and problems were worth it. Your long-term commitment paid off.
The accumulation of celebrating all the small wins every day really snowballs into something that has a larger impact.