What Matters Beyond Deliverables
When I joined the Impact Leaders Mentorship Programme, I thought success meant completing every task.
By the end of six sessions, I realised I had been asking the wrong question. The real question was not, “What have I finished?" but "What impact will my work have long after I am no longer in the room?”. That shift changed everything.
At the start of the mentorship programme, I focused on building a portfolio that would meet industry standards. It is still a work in progress, but the process has brought clarity. It has shown me the technical skills I still need to develop while reminding me that the non-technical skills I have built over time are just as valuable. Alongside refining my portfolio, I also began strengthening my LinkedIn profile and thinking more intentionally about how I present myself professionally.
What I expected from the programme was quite different from what I received. I imagined sessions on stress management, emotional resilience and stoicism. Instead, I was challenged by Madam Margaret to focus on strategic foundations I had not considered. Looking back, those foundations proved far more relevant to where I am today and aligned more closely with my long-term ambitions.
The biggest transformation happened internally. Before the programme, I measured progress by completed tasks. I was always thinking about the next milestone to tick off. Today, I think differently. I have become more interested in the sustained impact of my work than the satisfaction of simply completing it. I now ask whether my projects continue creating value even when I am not present. That single shift has influenced how I think about my career, the choices I make, and the kind of professional I want to become.
Confidence has also been part of this journey. I entered the programme during a season of transition, unsure of what it would take to become a leader in my field. I often underestimated my achievements and compared myself with an imagined standard of excellence. Those doubts have not disappeared completely, but they no longer define me. I have begun recognising that I have already accomplished far more than I allow myself to acknowledge. Leadership no longer feels distant. It feels like something I can intentionally grow into.
One conversation with Madam Margaret stands out above the rest. We spoke about projects not simply as technical accomplishments but as stories of impact. That discussion helped me realise that doing good work is only part of the equation. Equally important is being able to communicate why it matters. It also changed how I viewed my professional narrative. My online presence, my portfolio, and my ability to communicate my value through a clear elevator pitch are not superficial exercises. They are often the bridge between good work and new opportunities.
The Ikigai framework played an important role in that reflection. It helped me connect my skills, purpose, and aspirations, even though translating those insights into a clear career direction remains a work in progress. Looking ahead, my priorities are clear. I want to strengthen my professional image, expand my network across industries, build a personal website, and develop a portfolio that reflects both my technical expertise and the impact behind my work. Most importantly, I want to tell my story with greater confidence and clarity.
This mentorship did not simply change what I was working on. It changed why I was working on it.
About the author
Mr Kingsley Koomson is a business operations and strategy professional based in Germany with seven years’ experience across logistics, FMCG, Manufacturing, HealthTech and Energy Tech industries. He specialises in process improvement, end-to-end business development, partnerships, conflict mitigation, growth to market strategy and project management. and is completing a double master’s degree in analytics, risk management, and economics.