5 Valuable Career Lessons We Can All Learn From The Rise And Fall Of TV Anchor Louis Otieno

By Perminus Wainaina

A former journalist and media personality commanding an audience of not less than a million a week, Louis Otieno was a force to reckon with.

Highly sought after by media stations, business tycoons and politicians alike, Louis was living life on the fast lane.

Suddenly, the man who warmed the hearts of many Kenyans with objective shows like “Louis Live” disappeared silently from the face of the media.

By the time his presence was felt on the screen again, the once revered man was now battling sickness, rumors of alcoholism and even murder.

It can be said that for Louis Otieno, his career came full circle.

Rising up the career ladder from a humble age of 20 as a junior clerk, to a renowned and powerful News anchor – a career that took him decades to build came crushing down in an instance.

This Might Interest You >>> Why Some People Fail In Their Career And Others Succeed

Looking back at the life of this once influential TV personality, let us look at 5 valuable career lessons we can learn.

  1. The higher you rise up the career ladder, the more humble you should become

Reliable sources in the media industry claim that as Louis’s career grew so did his arrogance and pride.

He was constantly at loggerheads with news writers and reporters who claimed the popular TV anchor did not want to be told anything.

He wanted to do things his way. His former colleagues also said that the anchor was becoming bigger than himself.

The same colleagues were also cautious when approaching him since he was said to be moody and unapproachable.

This reminds me that no matter how high you climb up the career ladder, you will still need a solid and grounded team behind you.

The more reason why you should be humble enough to allow those whom you lead to give you ideas and let you know what is working and what isn’t.

  1. You must learn how to effectively manage personal crisis

Even though Louis maintained his poise and command in the media, his personal life was not so composed.

He was said to be battling alcoholism and had made a number of enemies such as politicians because of the nature of his TV shows.

To put the cherry on top of the cake, the man was also mentioned as a possible suspect in the murder of college student Careen Kipchumba.

And even though Louis put on a brave face in spite of the numerous rumors and accusations, he finally bowed out.

Now all Kenyans were accustomed to seeing was a troubled deaf and sickly man who was making numerous court appearances on the allegations of murder.

This goes to show how failing to manage your personal crises can have an adverse negative impact on your career.

If you need help on how to manage a crisis before it gets out of hand, then speak to a trusted friend, family member or career coach.

  1. NEVER allow success to get to your head

Louis forgot that he was just but a man and that other anchors beneath him were fast rising.

It is believed that every time he stepped into a show, the room went quiet. There was an aura of power and dominance around him that could not be ignored.

Power, fame and success had gotten into head.

His phones constantly rang with incoming calls from politicians and business tycoons who would have paid anything just to appear on his show.

Even as you succeed, never allow yourself to be prideful or despise those beneath you.

  1. Your career failures and success will reveal your true friends

Louis was unstoppable. He was always pursued by the high and mighty in this country.

He had plenty of friends and acquaintances.

But the man who though he had solid support besides him when his career was thriving now found himself lonely, sick and bankrupt the minute his career came plummeting down.

This goes to show that there are people who will stick around when your career is going great but leave the minute it goes south.

So, chose your friends carefully.

  1. Dust yourself up and try again…

Over and above anything else, the rise and fall of Louis Otieno shows me that it is never too late to start again.

No matter what challenges, failures and regrets you have faced, you can always dust yourself off and try again.

Even though Louis has undergone a lot of pain, sickness and failure, he remains optimistic about getting medical help for his acute pancreatitis that has left him deaf and getting back his life.

And that should be the same attitude you MUST have when it comes to your career. There will be good and bad times, failure and success but NEVER give up.

For more on coaching click here

30 Comments

  3. Great article, on point. We wish Louis Otieno quick recovery! Tiger Woods was down, but he never gave up..he is now on his way back. He was second in the last golf tournament (just a few days ago). So, Louis can still re-establish his carrier once again.

  9. Well elaborated and very precise, thank you so much for the coach, I really appreciate I have learnt the best out of it.
    Thanks again..

  11. “No matter what challenges, failures and regrets you have faced, you can always dust yourself off and try again”
    This has always kept me going. Cheers!!!

  13. Its unfortunate that this has come to be the reality sad though but people can learn from it and you the HR consultants are writing about it and giving insights or how others who are still shining on top of their careers can help cushion such eventualities when and if they come !

  15. Well crafted piece….Experience has never been the best teacher…it is the worst because u learn with lots of regrets…. Pride always comes before a fall to a fool….

  16. Great piece of advice on how to practice humility even when we are on top of our careers

  17. Very informative article and l have picked few things and l have learnt alot thank you very much

  19. Very good article and point number 1 is the key to success. Always remain humble – the likes of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Charles Branson are very humble people despite being very rich.

  24. Our career are meant to be a blessing to our neighbors and God;It is God who give and sustain all we have at each phase of our life.The moment we see the ‘I’ as the source of our career success ,It is the same moment we sideline God in our life.Yes, we shall get instant gratification and a applause from our fellow human being, but, there will not be Anchor(God) to hold on to when the storms begin to blow.All is not lost and I like your last point that we can still dust ourselves and seek the right way

  25. Indeed The tribulations that surrounds Louis is an eye opener to many especially those employed, i have just learn two important attributes that any person should always have, simplicity and humbleness. above all, we can choose friends but not family members. Give much of your attention to those close to you.

  28. Every time I read your article, my level of thinking graduates to better height. Thanks a million time.

Comments are closed.