The savannah doesn’t care about your calendar. It’s not in a rush. It doesn’t chase headlines.

But it moves with purpose, and if you slow down long enough, it teaches you something.

A few years ago, I was back in Kenya with my family, deep in the Masai Mara, and the lessons.

Not from a book. Not from a podcast. From watching how the wild actually works. And a few of those lessons are still shaping how I lead today.

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Going back to my roots

Growing up, I had the privilege of returning to Nairobi, Kenya, where my family is originally from. The last time I visited was five or six years ago for my cousin’s wedding—and we took the chance to visit the Masai Mara, a stretch of the savannah on the Kenyan side that connects with Tanzania’s Serengeti.

If you’ve never been on safari, here’s the best way I can describe it: you climb into a 4x4, head out into a wild, open ecosystem, and watch life unfold at its own unbothered pace. It’s the polar opposite of our world, where things move fast, headlines scream negativity, and we’re always playing catch-up.

But the savannah teaches you a few things. If you're paying attention, it offers real lessons in leadership, presence, and execution.

1. Enough is Enough

Driving along the plains, we saw something unusual: a lion lying next to a wildebeest. No chase. No kill. Just coexisting.

Why? Because the lion had already eaten.

He wasn’t hoarding. He wasn’t stockpiling meals in some imaginary bank of wildebeest. He was full, and that was enough.

It made me pause. We spend so much time chasing money, titles, possessions. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself: what’s my definition of enough? Not your neighbour’s. Not Instagram’s. Yours.

Once you define it, everything else starts to calibrate. You make clearer decisions. You waste less time. And your hunger is directed with purpose.

2. Camouflage and Core Skills

Leopards don’t dominate the savannah through brute strength alone. They master their environment. They blend in using their rosette patterned coats. Rather than chasing over long distances, they prefer a close approach before launching powerful, sudden attacks. They protect what they earn, have very adaptable diets & adjust hunting techniques based on terrain and environmental conditions.

If you lost everything tomorrow, your job, your title, your company—what skillsets could you fall back on? How would you adapt and adjust?

What’s your version of a leopard’s skill set?

In a world reshaped by AI, disruption, and constant change, it’s not enough to ride a trend. You need deep, repeatable skills that make you indispensable. You need to know what you’re good at, and you need to keep learning and building new core skillsets so that no one, not even ai, an replace you.

3. Proximity, Timing, and Patience

On our final night in the Mara, as we headed back toward the campsite, the sun was dipping low and the sky turning gold. Then our guide got a call: there was a hunt underway.

With just 40 minutes before total darkness—and no roads, no lights—we turned around and drove straight toward it.

What we found was a scene of tension: a leopard preparing to strike, wildebeest unaware in the clearing, vultures circling above, and hyenas lurking nearby.

The leopard didn’t pounce. Why? Because it knew if it killed then, it would lose its prize. The timing wasn’t right.

It had proximity to the opportunity—but it also had the discipline to wait for the right moment.

We’re heading into the back half of 2025. You’ll be faced with chances to act, to leap, to bet. But presence alone isn’t enough. You’ll need to read the room. Recognize the vultures. Know when it’s your time, and when it’s not.

Ask Yourself This:

• What’s your definition of enough?

• What core skills will carry you through disruption?

• Are you close to opportunity, but missing the signal?

The savannah isn’t just about survival. It’s about knowing who you are, how you move, and what matters most.

Events you need to attend

Power & SKVentures @ Othership Williamsburg

​Schedule

• ​​​5:45PM-6:00PM Arrival + Check-In

• ​​​6:00PM Guided Class Begins

• ​​​7:00PM-7:15PM Free Flow, Shower + Departure

​Join an all star class of NY leaders building game changing companies across CPG, AI Wellness & SAAS for a spectacular evening at Othership Williamsburg.

​What to Expect

​​Climb aboard the newest location in Williamsburg. Othership has officially touched down and brought an 100-person performance sauna and private ice bath sanctuary.

​​​Enter through an out-of-this-world cedar portal and explore 7000 sq ft of purpose-built space for a fully immersive hot + cold experience. Expect all of our signature modalities including guided breathwork, towel-waving performances, aromatherapy, guided visualizations and more trippy offerings that create space for state-shifting.

​We only ask that you bring a bathing suit and a willingness to evolve. Onsite we provide lockers, cups for water and tea, towels and shower amenities.

TICKETS HERE

📍15 SASKATCHEWAN ROAD, TORONTO

📆 AUGUST 12TH-13TH

The dopest event of the summer is back and it is bigger, louder and more immersive than ever.

LARRY JUNE + KLINGANDE

Get ready for a full summer send-off: Inside, expect a high-energy, beat-driven hip-hop experience with Larry June  in a fully air-conditioned space.
 Outside, the vibe shifts to sunset-ready tropical house with Klingande on the patio complete with pools, brand cabanas and high vibes.  

INDUSTRY DAY

Day 2 is where the industry comes together.
Connect with 30+ of your favourite weed brands, immersive experiences, food, games, give-aways and more. This is your chance to connect with top brands, unlock exclusive drops and kick it with the kind community.

TICKETS HERE

Windmill Growth helps founders build and execute go to market channels on LinkedIn through content and strategic engagement.

We offer a completely Done-For-You service, designed to support founders who are scaling their startups and seeking to expand their GTM reach while building their personal brand. Our focus is on generating revenue for our clients - not just clout. 

Windmill also hosts casual weekly events for founders in NYC to foster authentic connections through genuine conversations. Check out their event calendar here and subscribe to stay up to date and what they have coming up! 

Visit their website at www.windmillgrowth.com for more information. 

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As the world becomes more complex, it becomes more and more challenging to stay grounded, focused and aligned. Stay ahead by fostering unity, innovation, and trust across your teams and yourself. Don’t miss out on upcoming events and insights that will help shape your success in the months to come.

- SKV