REFLECTION ON EFFORTS AND IMPACT
"Muscles of an Elephant, Results of an Ant": A Reflection on Effort and Impact There is a popular saying that echoes through academic corridors: “Msuli tembo, matokeo sisimizi” — “Elephant muscles, ant results.” It paints a vivid picture of a student who burns the midnight oil, invests immense effort, and drains mental energy in pursuit of excellence — only to be met with disappointing or average results. But this phenomenon is not limited to classrooms and lecture halls. It’s a reality that haunts many of our institutions and offices. We often witness an overwhelming busyness — countless activities, full schedules, and expanding teams. Yet, when it's time to measure real impact — market share, sales growth, or institutional value — the results are painfully underwhelming. This points to a fundamental truth: every action within an organization must contribute directly to the attainment of its core goals. The daily tasks of an individual employee should fuel the objective...