Nivard Cabraal’s ‘advice to my younger self’

State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Nivard Cabraal – Pic by Lasantha Kumara

While CEOs and leaders focus on the future, we’re asking them to pause, reflect on the past, and share the single-most important lesson they have learned. Our lives and careers are works-in-progress, and we will always learn more in the future than we know now, but what insights could our younger selves – and other aspiring leaders – embrace and act on right now to live a more positive, productive, and empowered life? Today, Michel Nugawela asks Nivard Cabraal, State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, what one piece of advice he would give his younger self if he could travel back in time

My advice to the younger Nivard and all aspiring leaders: Get out of your comfort zone! Don’t think a comfortable life is what matters. There’s so much more to life than that.

The greatest challenge I faced in my life was moving from a comfortable existence in the private sector to the hustle and bustle of politics and public life. I made that transition 20 years ago and it was quite a culture shock and paradigm shift.

I had held several prestigious positions prior to 2000, including the Presidency of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and the South Asian Federation of Accountants. I sat on various commissions and held several high level positions. I was happy, comfortable, and had many friends. 

Most people wouldn’t move away from such a life. Why would you? Why face the challenges, brickbats and criticisms of public life? Why go into remote and underdeveloped areas to meet thousands of people and engage in political activity which at times was quite threatening? 

When I finally took the decision to get involved in politics, I recall my sister asking me, ‘Nivard, why are you doing this? Are you mad?’ My brother who lived in Australia sent me a bullet proof vest! I think that was the sentiment at the time. We were at war and the country faced huge challenges. 

But I was searching for a greater opportunity to serve and make an impact and my inner calling urged me to make that change. 

Advice to my younger self and aspiring leaders: when you get out of your comfort zone and make changes, you will be tremendously challenged, but that’s what life is about. Face them, and overcome them.

I entered politics as an area organiser for the UNP; I then became a provincial councillor and contested the Colombo West seat, although I wasn’t able to win it. I took some time off, and that was when Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa invited me to join the SLFP. I had known him for a long time and found it easy to relate to him and his policies. That was another shift – from UNP to SLFP, from Ranil Wickremesinghe to Mahinda Rajapaksa, and then, back again from public life to the administrative sector as the Governor of the Central Bank. 

During my nine-year term, we faced the worst economic crisis in our country’s history. Banks had crashed worldwide, oil had shot up to $145 a barrel – you can imagine what a toll that took on the economy! The war was raging in our own country, draining our resources. There was also a food crisis, which I don’t think anyone was aware of. 

But notwithstanding these problems, we moved from a $24-billion dollar to $79-billion dollar economy. We ushered in development the likes of which this country had never witnessed. We projected Sri Lanka as a robust, viable investment destination with low inflation. 

Advice to my younger self and aspiring leaders: the advice I gave my son holds good for all of us. Look back and assess your life every 10 years. Think of your next move. Are you comfortable? Is this what you want to keep doing? Prepare your To-Do list. I began making one when I was an accountancy student, and I still adhere to the practice. Everything I want to achieve is written down in it.

Most people fear risk. They won’t take a plunge into the unknown unless they’re pushed into it – if they experience a change in circumstances or lose their job, for example, but it’s rare for people to make a shift while the going is good.

It has now been 20 years; a period of tremendous challenge that I have had to find the inner strength to fight my way through. It has also been a period of tremendous success. I have been able to influence society, the economy, in short, the entire country! I have emerged a stronger person, and it has made me complete.

Life is a vast spectrum that you can impact but you aren’t here forever. You’re given an opportunity to paint your part of the picture and then out you go. You must ensure the imprint you make is an integral part of the rich canvas of your country, and that it withstands the test of time and the pressures of scrutiny.

Advice: I would tell Nivard, do it again, make the shift! If you find your calling, go for it! Give into your intuition and develop a plan for yourself. Don’t be afraid to make changes in your life and while you’re doing so, enjoy every moment of it.