S4:E94🎙️ LIVE with Ambassador Ruby N. Kryticous (Multi Tracks Audio)

Hi, I'm John Maxwell. When the top companies in the world are looking for trainers, speakers, and coaches, there's one name that stands above the rest, and that's Maxwell Leadership. Our certified team members have gotten proven results for companies all over the globe, and our reputation, I'm proud to say, is second to none. Some of our members have risen to the top of their profession, including the one you're going to meet today. I proudly introduce you to my friend, Bob Fabien Zinga. Welcome to the Leadership and Success Podcast with your host, Coach BZ. If you need to develop into a better leader, this podcast is for you. If you want to achieve a greater level of success, this podcast is for you. His mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell, said it best: everything rises and falls on leadership. We hope to inspire you today and provide you with an insight that has the potential to positively impact the trajectory of your life. Welcome to the Leadership and Success Podcast. Hello everyone, my name is Ruby Criticus and I am from Zambia, and I am letting you know that I'll be on the Leadership and Success Podcast with Coach BZ. Looking forward to joining you and of course listening to some of the business skills and leadership skills that I will be sharing. And of course looking forward to engaging with you on this podcast. So see you there.

What everyone, this is Coach Bizzy. Thank you so much for being with us this beautiful Saturday morning, Saturday, October 18th. It's about 6 AM here in California in the US, and I believe it's about 3 PM in Zambia where our guest is originally from. So, uh, as it is our custom, we are going to start with our moment of gratitude. So if you would, put yourself in your happy place and think about some things that you are grateful for today. What are you grateful for? I think today I'm just grateful for the power of technology, how it can connect us all around the world, all across America and around the world. Distance is really not a matter anymore. I can be in Silicon Valley, California, I can be talking to somebody all the way in Zambia and be able to exchange ideas and be able to help one another and improve each other's lives. It's just wonderful and powerful how technology is. And of course, my own personal mission is to implement technology in a safe and secure way. So if you would type in the comment where you are coming from. Okay, and let me introduce our guest today. So We're gonna be speaking to a very special person. She's known as the Jewel of Africa. She champions climate, gender, and global harmony. We're talking about Ambassador Ruby Ann Criticus. So, uh, she's, uh, truly inspirational. So we're gonna have a global conversation today with the ambassador, climate change advocate, like I mentioned, gender equality champion, and international humanitarian transforming lives across Africa. And beyond. Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome all the way from Zambia, Ambassador Ruby Kritikus.

Good morning, Ed. Good morning. Thank you so much, Coach PZ, for having me on the Leadership and Success Podcast.

Absolutely. And you are at— it's actually the afternoon where you are, right?

Yes, it's afternoon where I am here in Zambia. Very hot, sunny. We are starting our super summer. So sky scorching temperatures is what we are having and beautiful sunsets, should I mention. Gratitude. Those are some of the things I am grateful for. So I thought I can add that as well.

Fantastic. And is there something about you that most people may not know about?

Uh, yes, uh, there are a lot of things actually that people may not know about me. Uh, I am actually a Cambridge University alumni and of course, uh, passionate about humanitarian. I have over 20 years of experience in community service. Uh, I look after 50 orphaned children here in Zambia where I support them with a feeding program and of course, school supplies for school every year. And not only that, I do support a feeding program at a community clinic where we help mothers and provide meals for their children on that particular vaccination day, because we want to encourage more mothers to come and learn how to make simple meals for their children using local foods. And not only that, I also support, uh, 300, uh, special needs children at a community school as well. So these are children who have a hearing impairment and a speech impairment. So we support these children, uh, through, uh, the feeding program as well. Not only that, but as well as helping educational materials for them, because we have found that, uh countries, both poor and developed countries, may not have assets to teaching material in sign language. So we want to see how best we can interpret those materials such as like the ABC, you know, simple words so that it is easier to learn because they are learning it from English to sign language and not the other way around. So many making learning a little bit slower and difficult in terms of understanding. So that's the other side people do not know about me. And, uh, I love photography, so I am an amateur photographer. So I take a lot of nature pictures. And, uh, I love gardening as well. I love collecting flowers from different parts of the world. I'm fortunate friends bring them for me, so my garden is a beautiful paradise.

Amazing. I must say I'm really impressed with all of the charity work and all of the activism you do to really help make the world a better place, so really make a difference. Where do you think that comes from? Why do you feel so compelled to help add so much value and make things better, not only for your country, but the world and the climate as well?

I think for me it comes from my upbringing. My upbringing was quite wonderful. My mother let me play with everybody and anyone, and the time I was growing up, I think I was the only light-skinned person in my neighborhood because then there were restrictions of interracial relationships, and that's how my father— my father found my mother. And so because of that, um, I was born in a different environment. I never saw people like me so often. So even my friends growing up, I would tell them, no, I'm, I'm dark-skinned, you know, I just have a coat. So everything I did around my friends I would always be like, no, I'm just like you. Everywhere I go, I always tell everybody, I said, no, no, no, I'm just like you. I speak my own native languages. And, and that's one, um, funny, uh, point, uh, that I always have to speak about. Even back home here, everyone will think, no, maybe she's someone from, uh, the Caribbean, you know, maybe South America. I said, no, I'm born and bred here. So it's just that I, I speak very fluently. And of course, the platforms that have given me and amplified my work and my voices have contributed to me being an international speaker yet. But I'm just, uh, as ordinary as a woman wanting to see the best for her community. And of course, it resonates to me, uh, so often because not— I— when growing up, I think, uh, we were privileged to have things like toys, you know, go to the store and buy new clothing. And in my community, I had friends that never even had a toy, you see. And you would find that if I have two, I'll end up giving one and I'll get in trouble. Like, my mom will be like, where did you get— where is the other one missing? You know, and I'll be stunned not to say anything but get in trouble. But at the end of the day, Um, yeah, so that's, that's what led me to do a lot of community work. And, uh, even just seeing children suffer, even as young as— I think that must have been 7 years old— I used to cry when I see a child on the streets with no shoes. I would literally get my shoes and throw them off the window so that they can have shoes because I have 2 more, uh, pairs at home. So that's where my humanitarian, um, ambition came from.

Yeah, because I also know your, uh, name is Ruby, so it's quite fitting that you are known as the Jewel of Africa. And thank you for taking us where your story, uh, began, because I am originally from Africa as well, from the Republic of Congo. So a lot of what you've described, I've definitely lived it. No, it's kind of strange, you know. In America, where I live now, people say they are poor, but it's nothing compared to the poverty you would see in underdeveloped countries like in Africa. In Africa, when you are poor, you don't know where your next meal is going to come from. You don't have any toys to play with and all that. But in America, you are poor, you are wearing Nike shoes that cost $400, you have a big TV, you have a car. That's not poor. It is not comparable at all. So again, thank you for all of the work you do. And talking about the climate, what inspired your passion for climate advocacy and gender equality, and how did you know this was the mission you were called to pursue?

Actually, it all started by accident because my background is in business administration and management. I have— I'm a student of the Cambridge International University College as well. So that's where my passion started. And then I went along to study with the MicroMasters in leadership. And for some reason, things went upside down there. And I started to find myself in the climate because I would always complain. Even as a young child because transportation was a challenge when going to school. So when it came to the rainy season, I was always getting soaked and so was my hair, and I never liked that because it would mean me washing my hair all the time, every day when I get soaked. So I didn't like that. So, and of course my shoes would get spoiled. And I said, you know what, I think there's something we can do about this, you know, complaining. I've done enough of complaining, you know, nothing is happening. So maybe let me try and starting to learn what is climate. It was a new word to me. I didn't know what it meant. And over the years, it is something that I have grasped so well. You can wake me up today and tell me, I want to have a meeting with you on climate change. I'll be like, don't worry, I'll be there. You know, that's how confident I am in terms of climate. And not only that, I think Zambia has been one of the countries that has seen the escalation of climate change as well as weather patterns being affected by climate change, and this includes floods and droughts. And where flood is concerned, homes were filled with water, so it will mean no TV, no cartoon for children. It will mean you can't access going to the store, you can't access to buy food because you have to walk in that filthy water.

Yes.

And not only that, it did affect my grandparents because my grandparents used to live in the village. It would wipe away all his crops. And an old— and an old man, he never wanted to use a car, he wanted to use a bicycle. And the dangers of that is that he'll be washed away by the rains.

Wow.

And not only that, the impacts of drought as well, uh, has been also quite a negative and relieved experience because just last year we had the worst drought in 40 years. And this did wipe out almost 30% of agriculture farming inputs that were grown by small-scale farmers due to poor rainfall and of course access to water. Because remember, African countries do rely mostly on RedFED agriculture. They do not have sprinklers, you know. It's a huge cost to them to start water systems on their farms because they're quite vast. So we did live through experiences. I think I did a short documentary on the impacts of the drought where the crop did not even mature. The crop was already dried. And this is a farmer that that, that spent almost $500 US buying seeds, and what happens? He doesn't get any recovery. There is no insurance. He could even be in debt because of the money that maybe he did borrow in order to ensure that he has an income, or maybe take children to school. And also just, uh, the improvement of livelihoods, because remember, farming is not just an agriculture venture, but also an income generation for most families who live outside the grid. Of course, in the city, everyone with a small land wants to grow maize because they know it's food security at the end of the day. That's where my whole climate journey started to be. I later enrolled in the FXB Climate Advocacy Program. And that is where my whole journey has started till today. And of course, affiliates of other organizations, and I'm just a certified UNFCCC, uh, climate champion. So we have been doing quite a lot around not only awareness but also finding solutions, because we talk a lot about the problem but we do not give solutions. That's a different narrative I wanted to become when I wanted to get into the climate space to say, "Okay, I will bring about these problems, but I also want to bring about the solutions that we can bring to the table, the solutions that can even change someone's life." Because remember, climate change may not affect you because you're in a particular country, But now I don't think someone can say I have not been affected by climate change because one or two people has been directly or indirectly affected by climate change. We saw the wildfires in Las Vegas and the flooding of the subway in New York as well. Those big events, we saw Hurricane Katrina pass through Louisiana, for example, bringing devastation to a city and recovery up to now in Louisiana has not been rebuilt to the state where it was because climate change impacts and disasters really take a huge amount of pledges when it comes from the budget surplus, for example, meaning government needs to spend more, yet they still have other sectors in which they need to raise funds to build upon. So climate change has a negative impact not only on the government but also on financial resources, because if you can't find those resources, you have to either apply to the Climate Fund. That's why we were saying, uh, Africa, for example, only contributes 1 to 3%, uh, of carbon greenhouse gases, for example, but we pay most of We pay most of the burden when it comes to the impact because now the floods are getting severe, the droughts are getting longer. Right now it's around October 18th. This is almost into our rainy season, but we haven't had any drop yet. So by now, farmers would have started going to the field, you know, preparing their land in readiness to plant. But how can you prepare the land that is so hard? You see, they do not have tools, for example, to start plowing the land and preparing it.

It is really a global perspective, and I'm really grateful for your activism and you championing not just climate but gender equality as well. And, you know, like we've said, you are based in Zambia, but you've had leadership role, serving leadership capacity not only there but in the Philippines, in England, in India, and even in, in the US. So how did your global perspective begin to form?

Okay, so my global perspectives, uh, has grown with, uh, references. Uh, it is through platforms, uh, that, uh, allow me to either present a particular topics, let's say for example gender, climate, or Sustainable Development Goals. And then from there, there'll be individuals that will identify either my work or align with my work or organizations that feel I can be beneficial to their organizations through the experience I have, and this is what has led to this growth. Currently, right now, I am serving as a Vice President of the ATO organization in the Philippines. So this is a non-governmental organization which aligns climate education, youth involvement, and of course, community engagements around the world. And not only that, under that body, I'm also serving as the Director of Education and Advocacy, where we talk about the impacts of climate change, how can we give tools to youths to be empowered, especially when it comes to climate education and starting even as low as primary school. We have created those tools in order to ensure that young people are empowered, they start to learn about climate change because you don't want an adult asking them, say, okay, what is climate change? And then he says, I don't know. You know, it doesn't make sense. So we are talking of empowering the leaders of tomorrow. Why not empowering the leaders of today? So starting today, and these programs have now ventured into Zambia as well, where we are now doing education at local level in our indigenous languages as well. We do tree planting activities as well. And of course, being part of the advocacy and policy debates and discussions is what has led me to be involved with these other organizations. And not only that, you did talk about my involvement in gender and inclusion. I was appointed as a global advisor for A Billion strong. Why? It's because I'm advocating a lot around inclusion, whether it is at household level, community level, schools, platforms such as the African Climate Justice Magazine, for example, where I just finished a project of including authors who will be a representation of individuals that have disabilities. You will hear their voices, you will hear their concerns, and you will hear their solutions. And these are simple things from every day. Remember, they're in the world that is not designed for them, but how can we make it more, more in sync with their ability? Because remember, they have to function, they have to go to school. If I can't— if they have a disability and can't jump on a bus, what is an alternative? You see, some of the buildings are not designed for them to enter because of their disability. They cannot enter, not because they do not want to, but there is high chance of an accident, there is a high chance of injury when they enter such buildings. So we need to now start, uh, in initiating the change, because remember, we're saying, uh, leaving nobody behind. We're talking of the Sustainable Development Goals, but half of the population, which is 1 billion is disabled. And what are we doing about that? You see, what platforms are we putting in place? I did mention that I do support a school of children with hearing impairment. These children have no access to modern technology to learn. For example, like I mentioned, they have to interpret English to sign language, you see, and Remember, storybooks are not in sign language. So how are we going to read to these children to enjoy the Cinderella story, for example, to enjoy the Animal Farm, for example? You see, we are depriving them of that information, the eagerness to learn. ABC songs are what are recorded in English with people dancing. How can we now start using sign languages in those songs to entice children to now start to learn?

And that's really powerful. I am really, really impressed with all of the work that you do and the advocacy. And I think you're really making a difference, really serving humanity, not just Zambia, but really having an impact around the world. So you do lead the Green Agricultural Youth Organization, GAIO Zambia. You mentioned that. Work closely with ATO Philippines. You mentioned that one also. And Climate Educate. So let me ask you this, uh, what key lessons have you learned about building sustainable youth-driven movement that actually deliver result?

You have to be there, you have to be on the ground, you have to be involved at every level, uh, whether it is the planning, decision-making, uh, it is actually through my advocacy that I, I did pitch to the team to say why don't we start an inclusion program, for example? And remember, when you're bringing in new ideas on a board that is used to the normal, it's, it's a really difficult challenge for people to adapt to idea. Because remember, we, we have eyes around disability that say, you know, maybe if we put them on this program, they won't manage, or if we add them to this program, they won't be able to attend. You've already put a label on them without giving them a chance to try what you have prepared for them, for example. And that is why at the Green Agriculture Youth Organization, we started farming programs for youths with disability and women with disability. They are going with their wheelchairs in the farming fields, you know, whether it is to pluck the maize, whether it is to plow the maize. Not only that, but we are teaching them to say, okay, if you have skill and you have the land, employ the youths that can be able to go and cultivate in the land, and then they will bring income. That income or crop that you have yield, the money that it— that you will get from your harvest, you will pay the youth, and you're already doing job creation. For example, if you have groundnuts, you can change groundnuts into peanut butter. Uh, you're adding value to the to the crop, for example. And of course, you're creating jobs right at a small community level. And imagine what we can do when we have support either from the private sector or the government to ensure that either this woman who is disabled is driving entrepreneurship, is driving job creation. You know, we can do so much more. And of course, that that intersects to other sectors, such as, for example, the Building Zambia campaign, where the government is ensuring that all local produce is proudly Zambian, should be bought by the majority consumers that are going to supermarkets. Now, that is also securing the business of these individuals to grow because government has created a platform. Government has prepared a market for these projects to be, to be bought. And of course, enticing consumers, for example, to buy this product. So it's, it's a value addition. It's a value chain that really gives either persons with disability a platform where they can also learn, a platform where they can grow, a platform where they can see themselves as a businesswoman, you know, agriculture products.

No, it is, it is really, really, uh, powerful and impactful, the work you do. You've championed women's empowerment, right, inclusion for persons with disability like we've talked about, and rights for marginalized groups. So what barrier you think still exists for women and girls in leadership, and how do you help them break through with courage and confidence?

Well, barriers are always going to be there, uh, in a society where we still want to fight equality. Because I think right now we shouldn't, uh, pursue equality as feminism. We need to pursue equality as both genders. Because remember, when we, when we pull feminism, we are building, yes, the girl child, the woman, but what happens to the boy child? You see, uh, if we are starting at a community level, we do not bring boys on board, we do not give skills to the boys, meaning we are leaving them behind. And that is why it is important, even as we are advocating for equality, we are bringing both genders on the table and say, okay, how can we ensure that both of them are of beneficiary to this program? You see, not only that, but it comes It's across the board, whether it is education. We are amplifying girls and women. Why? Because they're the most marginalized groups. And not only that, they're more— they're the most disadvantaged when it comes to opportunities. Because even at a rural community, boys are the ones that will go to school. A girl may not be able to go to school at that time. And once we miss the timeframe of her going to school, she'll end up having an arranged marriage later on. The dream for education dies, you see. But what, what are we saying? We want to see more girls, we want to see more women take up these positions— the CEO, the board of director, you know, the chairperson. Why? Because we want to see how women can build institutions, how women, their, their, how their position will bring a difference to the community. Uh, I think we just saw Riaz. Riaz must be the conservation, uh, she must be Riaz Muhammad. She was just reinstated, uh, as UNESCO's ambassador once again. Why? Because she has a track record. She has proven that, uh, women in the conservation space can really drive change. And now we have seen seeing small women groups in Sudan wanting to restore the Sahara, for example, by regenerative farming. And not only that, we are now seeing a lot of women around the Ivory Coast as well building sustainable development, nature in their riverbanks using mangroves so that now the fish population can grow. Because remember, these are people who are most affected by climate change. Remember, coastal communities rely mostly on fishing, and if there's no fishing, then the livelihoods of the community is destined not to survive.

This is really why I think the work you do is so important, and I want to do what I can to amplify what you are doing so more people know about what is happening. So you've served as the Global Mindset Mastery Ambassador and a Cambridge Scholar for Sustainability and Children's Rights, and you've represented Zambia also on the global platform like COP27 and 28 and the World Bank Youth Summit. So how do you prepare for diplomacy on such international stages while staying true to your value, Ambassador Ruby?

No, thank you so much. I think, uh, What prepares me mostly is ensuring that, remember, you are in a space of different people. You may not align with what they want to see. You may not align with the project proposal maybe that you have on paper. So it is about dialogue. It's about asking people to listen, asking people to hear you. You may not have the best funding of a project or a project idea, but it is how you articulate your problem to your solution. Then people will answer. Why? Because you have addressed the problem and also you have given solutions to ensure that it is not only going to benefit you, it will be a ripple effect if other people adopt that. Let's say, for example, in the Philippines or in South Sudan, you— we can make a difference from just one idea to be implemented in different parts, uh, of the world, for example. And for me, my diplomacy is around mutual understanding and respect, because you should respect me and where I come from. I should respect you and where you come from. We may differ on opinions, but remember, at the end of the day, we are wanting to advocate for those that may not have a voice representing individuals and communities that may not be given a space to, to be at that particular summit or at that conference, you know, to speak and address or give, uh, some of the advice to global leaders for them to make changes or make, uh, policies that will align for them to have a better future for generations to come.

Wow. Talking about generations to come, and this is so powerful, you mentor young African leaders through YALI and other initiatives. What is your approach to developing the next generation of servant leaders?

Well, it starts today. We have heard this slogan of saying the leaders, we should do what we have to do because of the next generation. We should do what we have to do because of the leaders. Children are the leaders of tomorrow. I have started to detest that statement because we are the leaders of today and we should start making prompt decisions today. We are talking about climate change. Are we involving children majority of the time? No. And are we empowering children? The answer is no. So now we have to deliberately start giving the tools to children now, not tomorrow. It's about empowering children today. What are we telling children today? Whether it is through the community, through engagements, through social engagements at community level, because remember, we all coexist in a community. And remember, Children are seeing what adults are doing. If you and me are going to detest each other, the children will do the same. They are just a sponge, you know. What they see is what they get. So the relationship that you and I have today should be able to nurture the children that are in the community. I always tell this— I had written a poem, I think, a few years back Talking about the color of my skin, um, the emphasis of this poem was to address not only racism but to also culture a society that is loving, uh, compassion, and also building. Because if you have the best interest for me, I will be grateful. You, when you open the podcast, you spoke about a very refound word, gratitude. And this is what we often forget. Even just waking up today and just taking a breath, you know, your family is there. That is gratitude. You don't have to go to Disneyland to have gratitude, you see. But it is being aware of what you have and also being thankful of what you have at that particular time. Remember We always think of the Ubuntu, I am because you are. It's an African statement, but it resonates everywhere. I am who I am today because of you, or I am what I am today because you have been, uh, you've been there before me. And this has happened even, uh, generations. I wouldn't be here today without the women that have played a critical role in my life. And especially for me, it's the men that have played a critical role in my life because, uh, born the only female in my family, I've been surrounded by, by men. Even when it comes to opportunities, I have quite a lot of invitations from my male folk because they have seen what I have done. They've seen my strength. They've seen what I'm capable of. And it is through their connections that I'm able to speak at international platforms and gain recognition and support.

That is, that is really powerful. So that's a great segue to get into the second portion of the podcast where I focus mostly on leadership. We have about 20 minutes left, which is more than enough time. So let me ask you, uh, what is, uh, the greatest lesson you have learned so far?

Don't be too hard on people. Don't be too hard on people because, uh, As a leader, remember you are coming with your own vision, you are coming with your own ideology, and you are coming with your own mechanisms. Not everybody will be adaptable and like new ideas. We are all susceptible to new things, you see, but it is how we start to engage. Like I did mention earlier, to say it is about me showing you the, the vision I have. And if you work with me, I think we can go faster together, uh, than me working alone. So for me, it's about being patient, uh, being compassionate, uh, is what— those are one of the greatest, uh, leadership skills, uh, we need to start enhancing, uh, further on.

And what do you think is the secret of your success? You've had a lot of accolades and you're working at a pretty high level, not just in Zambia and Africa, but really having impact all around the world. Why do you think you are so successful?

Hard work. Hard work is the only recipe to success. I always tell young children and of course young girls to say, you know what, that, uh, people should know. Yeah, people won't know you, or maybe because your father is a member of parliament, or he's a president, or he's a CEO, big organizations. People will see your grades, you see, and your grades should speak for themselves. Then it will reveal who your father is, you see. So it is really important, uh, to ensure that Whatever it is that you are doing, whether it is small, big, you need to have a sense of responsibility. You need to have a sense of sacrifice. You need to have a sense to push. I have wanted to give up on this journey so many times whereby I'm like, I've thrown the towel today. I'm done with this advocacy. But I always come back and say, okay, If I don't do it, who will do it? You see? And, uh, this is where my passion and drive comes from because I want to see things better, not only for me and, uh, not only for the young girls that look up to me. And of course, I want to see— if I'm gone today, people should know to say, okay, her leadership skills were very vibrant, her leadership skills were very welcoming. You know, let us not be too judgmental. Let us be all accommodative and supportive. If my ideas may seem irrational, okay, help me to ensure that those, uh, ideas are more theory and more action-based. Because, uh, if I make a mistake, I should be corrected. And it is through how you correct and teach me, then I'll be able to deliver what will be even a better, a better version of what I was supposed to be. So yes, that's powerful.

It goes back to what you said earlier, don't be too hard on people. So let me ask you this, um, leaders are learners. What are you learning right now?

Uh, currently right now I'm working on conservation because I just graduated from the Women in Conservation. So in line with my climate advocacy, I'm now going into wildlife, ensuring that the wildlife is also protected because these are species that our great-grandchildren may not see. And we did see quite a number of wildlife die between the 2024— 2023, 2024, and 2025 rainy season due to drought.

And, uh, this is not anything that you not do? That's amazing. I'm really privileged to be talking to you today. Because another thing, what I love is, on one side it says success, the other side it says failure. We know about all of your successes. Earlier you also mentioned a couple of times you felt like maybe I need to quit doing what I'm doing, but you kept on going. So to me, success and failure are two sides of the same coin. Can you share how failure has shaped your life?

Oh, failure has played a critical role in me being who I am today. I have failed 100 times, uh, more than my successes and my accolades. That's why when I win, I make a lot of noise, you know, because I don't know when, when my next win will be. Uh, we have a society where We have been shaped to always compete, to always run, but we never see how we fall down and slip. So it is through what I have failed that has pushed me. For me to be here today, I've been rejected at so many fellowships.

Wow.

But it doesn't mean that's the end of who I am. It just gives me a say, okay, this is a pause button. Where else can we go? What else can we do? And that is why I have become a seasonal and intersectional advocate, because now you will find me in Sustainable Development Goals, you will find me in climate, you will find me in conservation. So if I'm not fitting in gender, I'll run to climate. If I'm not fitting in leadership, I'll fit in another environment. So yeah, failure that has shaped critical part in me being here today because it has built, uh, the inner queen in me that says, you know what, you're not gonna give up, uh, we're gonna pick up, uh, we're coming back tomorrow. Let's just have a pause button today.

You remind me a lot of my dear mother. That's really one, one of the biggest lessons I think I learned from her. Never take no for an answer. And if somebody says no, it doesn't mean never, it just means not right now. So How do I go from no to yes? And when she's gonna find a way to undo it, just that resilience, that determination, like, I will not quit, I will not give up, and I'm gonna get there no matter what. And she almost always did, which was just amazing and very, very inspirational. Okay, let me ask you this then, uh, who do you know that we should know also? Who are some of your mentors, thought leaders, people that you follow, or people who have impacted your life?

Uh, in, in my space, uh, it's unfortunate that I don't have a mentor. Uh, how ironic. But I do have a professor inspired by other people. Yes, I get inspired by other people. And, uh, a person that has played a critical role in, uh, in pushing me, uh, since the past, uh, 3 years or so. I had a professor, she was my professor during the YALI program, and through her leadership and through her advice, I've always gone to consult to her and just say, okay, this has come. Then she'll be like, you know what, for me it's a yes, whatever they happen to do. I don't know what more they want because I think your CV says enough information, you see. So she has been quite an inspiration.

And can I ask, what is her name?

Her name is Dr. Desiree. I met Dr. Desiree during the Yale Entrepreneurship Program where I was taking part in the civic leadership course. And during that time, I was actually voted as president of our cohort. And later on I've had inspiration from Buddha teachings as well. I feel a very huge connection to religion, varieties of religion, because I feel I benefit from quite a lot of what scholars have written before me and how I can use it today and resonate. I come from a background where I have family members who practice Islam, Hinduism, they are Catholic, and I can't throw away everybody. They are in my space, so I have to be very accommodative. So the nature of the fact that I have dealt with different people in my close circle has allowed me to be able to really connect with other people at different levels, uh, whether it is through their religion whether it is through their social or justice work. Wow.

So if you could choose 3 people to have dinner with, who would you choose and why? And those people, they can be alive, dead, or mythical figures. Who would you choose?

Okay, I would choose President Trump. That's interesting.

Why would you choose him?

I feel President Trump needs someone to be spoken to. And I think—

okay, I think you have said enough.

Next, I would, I would love to choose the Dalai Lama because I think, uh, his, um, his environment and how he articulates life, living, uh, just coexisting in life with nature, I find that really profound. And it really connects me, uh, to who I am and what I enjoy best. And of course, um, how he encourages humanity to be one is what resonates with me.

So powerful.

You would be a third guest.

Who would be your third, your third guest?

Okay, my third guest would be Um, who would be my third guest? I would go for— I would go for Obama, uh, because that's gonna be quite a conversation.

I would like to be in the room. President Trump, President Obama, and the Dalai Lama. That's a conversation that is going to have serious impact. Wow, thank you. Thank you so much. So what, what are you reading now, or which, which book would you recommend to people in my audience?

I would, I would recommend you the, the book called, uh, Nature and Forgiveness. Uh, this book has reminded me, uh, of how nature can really sing and why we should learn from nature. And not only that, I think it brings in the infancy of the circle of life Yes, because remember, you and I are not here for long, and it is what we leave behind is what others come to get to know of who we are today. I would, uh, I would talk of, uh, the late Jane Goodwill. Uh, she only got her recognition when she was 90, uh, through Joe Biden, uh, the US president. You know, it took 90 years for them to recognize her work, and some people died.

Being a woman might have had something to do with it too. Pardon? Do you think that being a woman may have been one of the reasons why it took so long?

Uh, probably yes, because, you know, being a woman sometimes um, the people around us do not amplify the voice or the actions that we are doing, or do not see value in what we do. It is only after you die, majority of the time, people will speak of the stories, the resilience, you know, the failure, the hope that you brought. And for me, Jane did bring in so much when it comes— today we have gorillas because of her, you see.

Yes, because she advocated, she protected Yeah, because I think she even did work in my country of origin in the Congo. We have a lot of gorillas there. They were going extinct, but she did a lot of great work to keep them. It's just amazing how the world is very big, but it's also very small.

Very small.

At the same time, and the impact people can have. What about movies? Is there any movie you would recommend to my audience or podcast or YouTube channel?

I think, uh, one movie that resonates, uh, with me is The Traveler's Wife— The Time Traveler. The Time Traveler's Wife is, uh, is a very heartfelt movie, uh, which talks about what we as human beings often want, and then when that is taken away from We now try to bring in how we can use time. How can you fast forward time? You know, how can you stop time in order to make a difference today? And not only that, I think one other movie that does resonate is Prayer Room. Religion does play a critical role in everybody's life. You could be atheist, you have the nature component. You could be Hindu, you have Hinduism. You know, faith does bring in quite a lot when it comes to understanding, when it comes to a big being who is protected, who, who wants to see the best for you. And I think, uh, prayer room gives us an opportunity, uh, to really pray for our loved ones because we're in, in a time where everything is so difficult. You know, I just finished my mental health awareness campaign, uh, and which I did speak about that, you know, we all have hidden battles that we fight each and every day, but we just have to be nice to somebody because you do not know what they're going through. And it shouldn't be just about mental health, you know. Mental health is every day, you know. It can happen to anybody. How it escalates is because Sometimes the people around us tend to feel, uh, the, the pain inside, but we also have to be supportive.

Well, Ambassador Ruby, I must tell you, one of the biggest lessons you've taught me, and part of the reason why it's been 2 or 3 months I think I tried to get you on the podcast, is because you are only one woman but you're having a huge, huge impact. And I think, uh, one thing you are really teaching us is Even one person can make a big, big difference, right? Starting where, where you are. And I'm really, really grateful for that. Is there any music or sound that inspires you?

Yes, I actually love orchestras. Orchestras play a really significant part of my everyday routine.

Which one would you all think? Favorite song?

Uh, currently right now, uh, my favorite song is Breathe. So Breathe is a song that talks about you just breathing, taking life easy, you know, uh, being grateful of what you have, uh, despite the pain, you know, you may be going through today, uh, despite the challenges you may be going through today, but just, just take a breath and 'Let's figure out what we can do when we are in a better place.' I like that.

And now, who plays that song? Which orchestra or artist? Brave.

I can't remember which orchestra did play that, but Maverick has done a version of that song as well. And I think What's her name again?

Oh, Sisi Wines sings that too. Okay, yeah, I, I will.

I will send the links to you as well.

Thank you. I love Sisi Wines. She's one of my top artists. I've been listening to her since I was a little kid. Uh, actually, I met her, uh, for the first time 6, 7 months ago. I, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. She came to my church in San Jose. Actually, I was one of— I volunteer to be her chauffeur, so to drive her from the hotel to the church and the ATM. But anyway, wonderful, wonderful person. She's exactly who she is in private as she is in public. Wonderful person. Thank you so much for sharing. So if I ask you, is there a song, a book, or a movie that would be your life's theme or your anthem? Yes.

Yes, my theme currently right now that I play every day is Jesus Take the Wheel. I play this song every day because I also struggle just like everybody. Some days are hard, some days are easy, but I just want Jesus Christ to take that wheel because sometimes it's so hard to drive, you know, the way you can't see the way, you know. And when you're waiting on the Lord to really do amazing things for you It's— it can be a long wait. So that is powerful.

And the version you listen to, who sings it?

Uh, the version I listened to, Jesus Take the Wheel, is done by, um, it's actually a young orchestra team. I think it must be The Thunders, something like The Thunders.

That is— that is powerful. Now, I love music. I've been playing the piano since I was 7 years old. Almost every important step in my life, every milestone, there's always a sound, there is an inspiration, there is a song that really encouraged me to go through it or that takes me back to whatever important milestone I went through. So that's why I asked the question, always looking for better music to listen to. So thank you for that. So we are almost at the end. We have about 5 minutes left. Let me ask you this. If you had one and only one day to live, what would you have liked your final contribution to be?

I think my final contribution would be really about ensuring that the world I live in today is better than what I have left what I have left it. Because, uh, remember, we want to see more peace, more unity, more compassion, and more love. And a society that is more inclusive and supportive is a society that thrives. And not only does it thrive, but also brings in the emphasis of diversity and humanity. Humanity is a place we call home, but home is a place that you and I are every day, and it's what we build together.

Wow, that is very, very powerful. Thank you so much. Uh, when you wake up in the morning, what is one problem you would like to solve?

One problem I would like to solve every day is to ensure that the children I see every day walking to school, uh, have some kind of a meal, or hope that they have a meal, because Remember, I live in the rural areas, so the distance between where I see these children to their school is quite far actually, and they walk every day in the morning. And, uh, and I think sometimes they're late because they will find their friends on the way. Instead of clicking up the steps, they'll start chit-chatting. Of course, they are children, and of course the safety of children on the road is, is, is another critical component that I want to see change. And of course, you know, just ensuring that the future we build today is because we have the vision of the children being part of what we are doing today.

Yeah, that's a very, very important cause for me. One organization I support that does that is Compassion International. I think I've been supporting them since I was a student, long, long time ago. They do great work for like $30, $40 a month. They can take care of a child until they go to college, which is really, really powerful. So we are coming to the end of the show. I could be talking to you for a very long time, and I'm really grateful for all of the impact and the work that you are doing to make our world better. Like you say, trying to leave the world in a better shape than you found it. That is so, so powerful. So how can we add value back to you?

Adding back value to me is ensuring that we coexist in a society that wants to bring division. Division, borders has really played a negative role. But when we break those borders and ensure that your opinion is celebrated, my opinion is celebrated, only then can we work together for the future we want to build. Because remember, we want to build it today and not tomorrow. And not only that, I want to see more young people come on board. Let us collaborate, you know. One person doing one work alone is not enough, but when we do it together, we are achieving not only a lifetime of of, uh, of great things we can do together, but also we are achieving, um, the ownership of what we are building because we are now giving, uh, compassion to the young people. We are impacting young people today, making better boys to men, making better girls to women, and now they should even thrive better than we are thriving. So that's the future I want to see.

Wow, powerful. Is there a question I should have asked you that I have not asked yet?

Uh, well, I think majority of the important questions you have asked, but of course, um, why women leadership is important, uh, and why should we enhance that. Remember that women of color— yes, uh, women of color often tend to not be given opportunities. Women of color may not often be supported, but it is through such platforms that we share our stories, our unique ways we have achieved from failure to success, you know, from building a different dimension of Ruby to a different dimension of Bob. Who, who has Bob touched, you know? Who has Ruby touched through her work. You know, it is through such connections that we really cut the bridges of, uh, yes, where internet has given us the platform to engage, to collaborate, whether it is through an engagement of leadership, through it is a training on how best we can empower women in a local community, and of course driving equity and humanity is really important right now when our systems and our government is becoming more fragile. Whether it is affecting everybody, but who are the most affected? It is children, the disabled, the elderly. Where are we going to put the marginalized, uh, people, you know? So when we want to have a war, let's have it in the office. Let's not take it to nations because the magnitude that suffer is very huge, and of course the loss of impact is also very huge. So I think it is now time to start, uh, coexisting. Let us have those dialogues in the office. Let us not, uh, put civilians in harm's way because you and I cannot come to an agreement.

Well, that is really powerful. You do remind me, like I said earlier, of my mother, my sister, my wife, my daughters. And I really would like to do whatever I can with whatever platform I have and skills, put the spotlight on the work of people just like you, because you're really doing a lot of great work in the world. And one of the last questions I'm going to ask is, if you could go back and give a piece of advice to your 17-year-old self, yourself standing at the edge of this incredible career and impact that you've had, what would you say to 17-year-old Ruby?

Don't worry about what is happening right now. Get soaked in the rain, it will teach you a lesson about climate change. So, so that's what I would tell her, to say, you know what, uh, whatever it is that you're gonna pass through will pave a way for you that that will be so imaginable in your wildest dreams. You'll be connecting with a leadership that has been in the hands of Maxwell. So, uh, what else can be great than that? Uh, closing the year on an amazing note. And, uh, I would tell her to say, you know what, forget about the pain but keep on pushing because what is point of view, I have seen it all. So it's really good.

Yeah, that's, that's powerful. Okay, we're gonna end, uh, this is gonna be, uh, really, really, really quick, uh, rapid fire. Uh, one word that defines great leadership, one word?

Compassion.

Okay, morning routine or practice that keeps you grounded?

Uh, morning sunrise. Okay, book or quote that changed your life Women leadership is leadership that deserves to be heard.

Okay. Who inspires you the most today?

My community.

And finish the sentence: leadership is—

leadership is where women are given an opportunity to lead and make a difference in the world.

Powerful. So what did you want to be when you were a kid?

I actually wanted to be a lawyer when I was growing up.

Not a lawyer right now, but having a huge, huge impact. That's wonderful to see. What was the adjective describing you as a child? Uh, loud, uh, noisy, and of course, uh, loud and noisy is the same thing.

No, no, uh, actually, I, I used to love, uh, gardening when I was young.

Okay, one more.

Uh, and of course, writing.

Okay, and as an adult?

As an adult, writing still is my passion.

Looks like gardening helps too.

Yes, and gardening, and of course just appreciating my environment. I think that's where I've taken photography, amateur photography, to the next level because I'm taking pictures of bees, I'm taking pictures of flowers and chameleons doing crazy stuff. I'll be like, oh my God, Is that a chameleon doing that? So yeah, that's what has really resonated, uh, with me as an adult. Yeah.

Thank you so much for giving us an extra 5 minutes. This is the very last question. What is one word that represents our shared experience on this podcast together? What one word comes to mind?

Enrichment. Enrichment. Because we have brought value both to each other. Uh, I have learned from you and you have learned from me. And of course, building the bridge where you are now giving more women this platform to share their leadership and success skills. For me, I think that has really resonated so much.

Well, thank you. Thank you so much, Ambassador Ruby. I'm so glad you were here. And to me, I'm just so grateful. Thank you again.

I appreciate it. Thank you so much. Kwaadwizi.

Right.

Bye.

Wow, everybody, this was really, really, really powerful. We had Ambassador Ruby all the way from Zambia. In the continent of Africa where I am originally from. So I just want to remind everyone, this first day I'm going to be interviewing my mentor, the one and only, the legendary Shelley Archambault. She's going to be the author of a bestselling book, Unapologetically Ambitious. You absolutely do not want to miss it. That is going to be this first day. All right, until tomorrow, I think tomorrow Sunday, I don't have a guest, but I am going to go back to One lesson we had about America's aspirational creed, talking about the Declaration of Independence. I did a 1-hour podcast on that based on my article. Tomorrow I will give a 10-minute summary. The beautiful thing about America is we didn't start where we were aspiring to start. Obviously, when America started, slavery was here. People who looked like me were treated like slaves, less than human beings. Our original document, like the Declaration of Independence, says all men are created equal, but that wasn't true for Blacks, that wasn't true for women, that wasn't true for indigenous people, Native Americans. But what I'm saying is in time though, we've been progressing toward building a culture, a nation, a society that has more diversity, more equity, and more inclusion. And those are all of the things that Ambassador Ruby was talking about. That's the world we've been creating since 250 years ago. And next year, right, July 4th is going to be America's 250th birthday. So I'm thinking a lot about our country, our complicated history, and all of the progress we have made and the progress we still have to make. And I definitely want to be part of the solution. Anyway, so I'm gonna have a 10-minute summary on that article tomorrow. So until then, have a wonderful day. See you tomorrow. Bye. Bye, everybody. This is Coach Bizzy. Thanks for watching. Until next time, don't forget to like, comment, and share.

Thank you for listening to the Leadership and Success Podcast with your host, Coach Bizzy. If you like what you heard, Please subscribe to our channels and come back for more wisdom nuggets on how you may develop into a better leader and achieve greater levels of success. Leadership is the most critical skill. The world will always need leaders to lead others, deploy the next disruptive technology, or execute a business strategy. You may as well decide on counting yourself among the 21st century leaders. See you right here. Next time on the Leadership and Success Podcast with Coach BZ.