Patrick Manning was elected this country’s fourth prime minister in 1991. He would again be appointed prime minister in 2001, 2002 and 2007.
His son, Brian, is this country’s Minister in the Ministry of Finance:
“My father loved people. Growing up, when I needed his time and attention, I sometimes resented how much patience and kindness he showed to the world. I thought that should be reserved for us alone. Now that I’m sitting in his seat, walking in his shoes through the constituency of San Fernando East, and standing on his shoulders as I make my own way in life, I finally understand it.
‘WE’RE HERE TO HELP OTHERS’: Chief executive officer of the American Chamber of Commerce of T&T Nirad Tewarie.
“I love my family more than anything, but I see the world through the eyes of patience and kindness like never before. I realise that, like him, if I’m in a position of leadership, it’s not about amassing personal gains…but you have maybe a limited time and platform to help others—people who desperately need someone to look out for them.
“So I suppose, in summary, he taught me how to lead, through eyes of love.”
Prof Winston Dookeran served as the governor of the Central Bank from 1997 to 2002, and this country’s finance minister from May 2010 to June 2012.
His son, Navin, is the chief executive officer of the Export Import Bank of Trinidad & Tobago:
“My Dad’s approach to his work and life has definitely shaped my leadership style in a few key ways.
‘CONTINUE TO GROW YOURSELF’: Chairman of the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Sean Roach.
“Honesty and integrity: His belief in always speaking the truth and keeping your word has translated into my focus on transparency and building trust within my teams. I find open communication fosters a strong foundation for collaboration and respect.
“Long-term vision: His emphasis on making a positive difference resonates with my leadership style. I prioritise setting goals that go beyond just the bottom line. We focus on projects and initiatives that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Success, in my view, is about creating a lasting impact.
“Fairness and respect: Seeing him treat everyone fairly, regardless of position, has instilled in me the importance of fostering an inclusive and respectful work environment. I believe in empowering my team members and valuing their contributions. This not only improves morale but also leads to better decision-making through diverse perspectives.”
‘HONESTY AND INTEGRITY’: Chief executive officer of the Export
Import Bank of Trinidad & Tobago Navin Dookeran.
Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie served as pro vice-chancellor and principal of the St Augustine campus of The University of the West Indies (UWI) before being appointed a member of this country’s cabinet from May 2011 to June 2015.
His son, Nirad, is the chief executive officer of the American Chamber of Commerce of T&T:
“My father (and mother) always taught me to think for myself and to speak up; to question and to be critical in thought.
“As a younger professional, sometimes this was seen as brashness; but, over time, whether people like me or not, they have come to understand that they always know where I stand and that my decisions and positions are based on some principle.
“In addition, understanding that decisions have consequences and that one must be able and willing to live with the consequences of one’s decisions is something else Dad has taught me.
“My father has always shown me, through deeds, not just words, that one’s purpose in life must be more than just one’s own self-interest. We are here to help others. We are not jellyfish in the current. We have to take control of our own destiny.
“We must take responsibility for our own actions at all times. Honestly, I have a great father of whom I am tremendously proud and from whom I continue to learn; so I am still learning from him, even as I know that now, he also learns from me a little.”
Prof Emeritus Kenneth Julien was awarded this country’s then-highest award, the Trinity Cross, in 2003 for his leadership role in national economic development.
His son, Philip, is the chairman of Kenesjay Green Ltd and the managing director of NewGen Energy Ltd:
“For me, Dad’s confidence in not only his own ability, but primarily in the ability of his team and indeed his people, to rise to the task at hand, has been an inspirational part of my own leadership development.
“I also try to emulate his unflappable and calm demeanour when it comes to team and stakeholder engagements (and I’m the first to admit that I’m not always successful…he makes it look easy!). Lastly, his focus on country development first, with business subsequently and naturally arising out of that focus, is also a trait in him that I have found admirable, and is an approach which I have also put my faith in, as much as I can.”
Langston Roach is the founder of Langston Roach Industries Ltd, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s largest indigenous manufacturers of household cleaners and personal care products. In 2022, he was inducted into the T&T Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame, and in 2023, he was awarded the Chaconia Gold Medal.
His son, Sean, is the CEO of the company and the chairman of the Telecommunications Services of T&T:
“I think the first thing that my Dad would have taught me was if you have to be successful in anything, you have to first understand why you want to do it. So, finding your why.
“And finding your why gives you that inner strength, that inner willingness to want to go after it, even if obstacles may come your way. Once you find your why, one of the things I also learnt was you have to have a plan: you have to set goals.
“Because if you don’t set goals, you would be working at something and not know if you have hit any success points or not. Having a dream—if you don’t act on it, then nothing comes out of it. So, you have to work hard; you have to go after it.
“One of the things I saw with him and one of the things that I do right now is that when you set a goal, you have to have that laser focus (so) that nothing distracts you and you block out all other obstacles until you achieve that.
“And when you achieve that, you then set new goals. One of the main things I learnt from my Dad is caring for your staff, because in business, the one thing you learn is that you can’t do it by yourself. So you have to care for your staff; you have to create that healthy environment around your business so success can come through that.
“He also taught me about continuous improvement—always be willing to learn; always be willing to develop your mind and develop your skills; continue to grow yourself. And also, you must love what you do, because if you don’t have that love, you would not give it your all.”
Anthony Maharaj is the chairman and chief executive officer of Caribbean Lifestyle Communications Ltd. He is also a film distributor, film producer and director.
His daughter, Kiran, the managing director of Caribbean Lifestyle Communications, is also the current head of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce:
“My father was always a risk-taker and very focused, especially when he saw merit in his ideas or initiatives. He taught me to believe in myself and follow my instincts. My street smarts also came from him.
“He has always been very supportive of my decisions, even if he felt differently, because he says that you learn from your failures and can’t let fear cripple you. I get my sense of determination and warrior spirit from my Dad. He also influenced my leadership style: be visionary but also a team leader.”
Richard Harford co-founded Mario’s Pizzeria and managed its inaugural branch in Valsayn, the country’s first pizza parlour, 52 years ago.
His son, Roger, is the chief executive officer of Mario’s Pizzeria, the largest pizza chain in the country, with 22 restaurant locations nationwide:
“His dedication, vision, and commitment to quality service have always been guiding principles for me. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand his relentless work ethic and his passion for creating a business that not only thrived economically but also contributed to the local community.
“His leadership style was characterised by a hands-on approach, strong relationships with employees and customers, and an unwavering focus on quality and customer satisfaction.
“These values have deeply impacted my own approach to running the business. Eight years ago, when I was appointed CEO, I embraced these principles and have been operating under them ever since.
“Taking full control of the business three months ago, following his passing, has been both a challenging and a deeply meaningful transition. I strive to honour his legacy by continuing to prioritise the same values he championed: integrity, dedication, and a genuine care for both our employees and our customers.
“In practice, this means maintaining high standards of quality in our products, fostering a supportive and motivating environment for our staff, and staying connected with the community that has supported us for over five decades.
“My father’s entrepreneurial spirit and his emphasis on building strong, personal relationships have been the bedrock of our success, and I am committed to carrying these forward as I lead the company into the future.”
Mikey Joseph served as a former president of the Trinidad and Tobago Contractors Association (TTCA) and is a company director for Structural & Mechanical Agencies Ltd.
His daughter, Cavelle Joseph-St Omer, is the current president of the Human Resource Management Association of T&T:
“I grew up in San Fernando and started my career in my family’s business. My father is a first generation businessman and he taught his children about the importance of having goals, working hard, and most importantly, taking care of themselves.
“My father established the core values of our family business, and many of my values remained the same when I transitioned into leadership. However, I interpreted and cultivated my experiences with my Dad and then developed my own leadership style.
“I learned how to be courageous, committed, master of my core skills, and how to develop competence from my father. He taught me how to work hard and never give up.
“Today, when I reflect back, I can clearly see that he taught me important lessons: to not fear taking risks; to be honest; to keep believing in myself; and most importantly, to forge a unique path based on my interests.”
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Trinidadexpress.com – https://trinidadexpress.com/business/local/what-my-father-taught-me/article_292fe4fc-2b90-11ef-8011-8b0ca3e3b8ae.html
