Anteneh’s Corner

I just got early access to OpenAI's latest powerful AI model, ChatGPT-4.5. They are calling it the most advanced, nuanced, and context-aware AI assistant. And I asked it this: What do you want me to ask it ?

Over the last year, I’ve often reflected on what it truly means to be senior in one’s work and profession. Here’s a note from my notebook. ------------------ At the risk of being simplistic, seniority largely comes down to having good judgment, sense, and a sharp eye that culminates in a series of quality decisions. This is often reflected in one’s ability to : ◾ Embrace ambiguity, operate in parallels and continue to progress with imperfect information/reality. ◾ Connect the dots and recognize patterns faster through an intuitive sense that picks will work and what won’t—without needing excessive data. ◾ Have an internal framework that helps find relevant inputs faster for the issues or tasks at hand. ◾ Have strong sense of people’s capacity and potential—but most importantly, their deception and pretense. ( bullsh**t was the first word came to me :) ) ◾ Consistently pick the few action steps and directions that contribute to the majority of outcomes. ◾Proactively tackle avoidable problems by instinctively identifying and addressing issues before they escalate. ◾ Identify the most important data from the overwhelming flow of information and noise. ◾ Naturally integrate the right mental models and heuristics to simplify complexity and avoid getting stuck. ◾ Know which issues, initiatives, debates, and changes are truly important to fight for and which ones to let go. ◾ Stay calm, move fast, and make effective trade-offs during a crisis, seeing it as an opportunity for better clarity on one’s path. ◾ See the world through shades of gray, knowing that most problems, decisions, and situations are not black and white. Multiple seemingly opposing things can both be true at the same time. ◾ Break down complex things into simpler, manageable pieces leading to clear, logical steps that drives effective solutions. ◾ Have clarity on one’s natural affinities, strengths, and weaknesses helping to avoid wasted effort that comes from trying to be everything. ------------------ The interesting thing about all this? The absence of these skills is often hard to see or measure. It’s not easy for an inexperienced manager or leader that ended up in a management position to recognize either their own gaps or some one else gap, nor for a junior professional to grasp what they’re lacking. Ultimately, senior professionals get compensated better not just for the work they produce, but for the judgment they apply. ------------------ Now, a question : How do you define seniority in your profession ? I am curious to know. ------------------ PS : I recently started a newsletter where I share insights and reflection as I navigate life and an entrepreneurship journey of building Information, data, and intelligence venture in Africa. Subscribe : www.anteneh.ai/subscribe @antenehcorner

I recently was conversing with a my team regarding change, growth and related challenges, and the below is a message I sent I thought I would share it here : ————- Anyhow, my overall message, as I may have mentioned before, organizations and professionals often hit a ceiling—especially in a fast-paced environment like Shega, where growth is a priority, and we strive to deliver executional value to clients, users and the public. This means both the organization and the individuals within it must continuously reinvent themselves. I want to stress, reinvent means here to change like you no longer can't recognize once previous version.    Shega hit a ceiling last year. I know I personally hit a ceiling as well. Realizing this, I’ve spent a significant amount of time assessing myself—identifying areas where I need to step up, delegate, or lean into my natural strengths—while also rethinking what Shega needs to become operationally and in terms of delivery. Since November, I’ve probably averaged four hours of sleep a night, dedicating my evenings to these areas because the alternative is stagnation—remaining stuck, failing to grow, and missing out on unlocking a better version of both the organization and myself. We owe it ourself, to the people around us that rely on us and the contribution we want to bring to this country and continent.    This applies not just to me, but to you and every core team member who has has been integral to Shega’s growth. If we want to break through the ceiling, change is the only option—reassessing what used to work but no longer does, challenging old beliefs, routines, and assumptions. Reinvention is necessary for all of us, and Shega must and will evolve.   Of course, change is never easy, nor is it without complications or discomfort. Managing this transition properly starts with me and the leadership team. It requires consistent, honest communication, patience, and a commitment to the bigger picture.   I really hope you know and don't forget, I trust you, I am proud and grateful of the responsibilities you have taken and also I believe in your current capabilities, and I see the potential you have yet to unlock. I am fully committed to your growth and willing to go the extra mile to support you and your professional journey. Never forget that. So stay focused, trust the process, and keep your eyes on the destination. The best is yet to come. ——————

This seems obvious, but I don’t think most people truly understand it or apply it as they should. One of my default approaches to business ideas, problems—or dare I say, life in general—is simple: ‘copy and steal.’ I ask myself—who has done this best, anywhere in the world? Originality is often misunderstood. It’s just a series of iterations built on top of someone else’s work. Nothing more. In the age of the internet, there’s an endless pool of knowledge to tap into. The best starting point? Copy and steal. Everything we see, use, and create is built on the foundation of someone else’s work and ideas. Learn and copy ruthlessly. The rest is just process.

For those of your interested in AI, I wrote about Deepseek mania. ————- Thought on Deepseek: The AI Disruptor Shaking Up Tech and Wall Street Read more below : 👇 https://www.anteneh.ai/p/thoughts-on-deepseek-the-ai-disruptor-shaking-up-tech-and-wall-street @antenehcorner

One of the most profound pieces of wisdom I’ve come across is Hunter S. Thompson’s letter to his friend Hume, written when Thompson was just 22 years old. Known for his wild persona and gonzo journalism, Thompson shared a deeply introspective and thought-provoking perspective on life in this letter — a piece never intended for publication but now cherished for its clarity and insight. In this letter, Thompson explores one of humanity’s most timeless questions: What is the meaning of life? His words offer a unique, mind-expanding approach to living intentionally and authentically. I put together this article in 2018. If you haven’t read this yet, take a moment to dive into it. What does this letter mean to you? Let me know your thoughts below! Link to read 👇 https://www.anteneh.ai/p/finding-life-s-purpose-hunter-s-thompson-s-timeless-letter-of-wisdom

Communication is the ultimate leverage that amplifies any skill or expertise you possess. Mastering it can transform your career and unlock endless opportunities.

A colleague recently asked me for tips on getting into crypto and I thought I would share it here . Here are the principles I’d apply: 1. Start with curiosity. Focus on learning first—the financial rewards will follow naturally. 2. Play the long game. Choose a niche within crypto, invest time in it, and build your knowledge base as leverage. 3. Explore beyond trading. Trading and investing aren’t the only ways to make money in crypto. Consider alternative opportunities like staking, NFTs, building projects, or freelancing in the space. 4. Only risk what you’re willing to lose. Never invest money you can’t afford to lose. 5. Understand the odds. The majority of traders lose money.

☑️ For organization and countries.

Hmm 🤔

If you are developing a strategy for a business, product, or service, here is a clear strategy pyramid you may consider. I have utilized this over the past few months to redefine @shegahq overall direction and product and service strategy roadmap for 2025 and beyond.

C. S. Lewis : clarity at its best .

How are you spending the last evening of 2024 ?

Either way you grow.

I don’t know how to put this clearly. AI is changing and going to be changing pretty much everything you can imagine completely. We are in one of the most significant periods in human history. Join in.

How learning actually happens : This reminds me of my learning approach in high school and college, where I would tutor peers in subjects I hadn't studied myself :) I intuitively figured I grasped concepts better when I teach others.

This for those of you who are entrepreneurs , CEOs and executives who are growing and scaling businesses: Killer list : 1. Sense the BS 2. Document everything 3. Big No to Naysers 4. Treat your Deputies well 5. Remove the unnecessary

One of the concepts that are often abused is feedback receiving. How to approach feedback receiving ? Some pointers above.

Stop fighting your nature. Start winning with it.