Basil Jarrett | Unlocking potential: Important lessons from Manning’s School

LAST THURSDAY, I was invited by Manning’s School to be the keynote speaker at their annual prize-giving ceremony. It was my first visit to Manning’s and on arrival, their distinctive blue uniform immediately caught my attention. That regal colour reminded me of my own alma mater, so naturally, I couldn’t resist a bit of banter.

“When I saw your uniform colours,” I told the students, “I thought this place must be special. After all, your navy blue and white is similar to Jamaica’s number one high school – Jamaica College.” The joke didn’t go over well. Not only was I almost chased from the podium, but I was also sharply reminded that the school’s colours are navy blue and royal blue, NOT blue and white, and that Manning’s was founded in 1738, making it the oldest continuously operating high school in Jamaica. That means JC, established in 1789, is the one copying Manning’s greatness.

My brave, but considered response? “Well clearly, God in his infinite wisdom, created Manning’s in 1738, saw some deficiencies, and created JC 50 years later to improve on his earlier work.”

That didn’t go down well either, but at least I survived to tell the tale.

A DREAM DEFERRED, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

As I started my speech, I shared a story about how my journey began with a childhood dream. “For as long as I can remember”, I told them, “I’ve only ever wanted to be one thing: a soldier. My toys were soldiers, tanks, and guns. Everything had to be army green. It’s a wonder I didn’t end up at Calabar”.

My heroes weren’t fictional. They were real men and women in uniform. But at that age, as any young man will tell you, my biggest hero was my father. So when a teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I proudly chirped, “a soldier”.

My father, seated there beside me, was unimpressed. “He’s going to be a doctor – like his uncles,” he scoffed.

Parents mean well. They want the best for their kids. After all, doctors save lives while soldiers get blown to bits. So, you can’t blame him. But in that moment, my world was deflated. I dropped out of the cadet force and traded my army-green ambitions for science textbooks.

The only problem? I was dreadful at it. I failed every single science subject, while excelling in English, literature, and history – you know, the “soft” subjects. What I didn’t realise was that these subjects spoke to who I really was.

After my then form supervisor threatened to kick me out sixth form if I didn’t come to my senses, I leaned into what I was good at and resigned myself to a career in communications, eventually earning two master’s degrees in the field.

Short stints in advertising and academia followed, but in 2009, as fate would have it, the army came knocking. But they didn’t want me in combat. They wanted me to help tell their story. And for over a decade, I found my true calling as a man in uniform, becoming the JDF’s spokesperson and chief communications strategist. The dream I thought I’d lost forever had come back, aligning perfectly with the strengths I had discovered along the way.

YOUR DREAMS WILL FIND YOU – DON’T GIVE UP ON THEM

That story formed the backbone of my message to the Manning’s students: Success isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes it meanders, hits dead ends, and spins in circles. But if you listen to your heart, learn from failures, and play to your strengths, life has a funny way of circling back to what matters most.

Dreams have a funny way of resurfacing when you least expect them. I thought I had lost mine, but life, with its twists and turns, brought them back at the perfect moment. Dreams don’t leave you – they evolve, they hide, and they wait until you’re ready. But you have to be prepared. Stay focused on what ignites your passion, even if your path looks nothing like what you imagined, I told them.

LESSON TWO: FAILURE ISN’T FATAL – IT’S FUEL

I also encouraged them not to fear failure. When I tried to be a doctor, I failed miserably. But those failures taught me what wasn’t meant for me and pushed me toward what was. Failure isn’t a signal to stop – it’s a sign that you’re learning and every stumble is a step closer to where you’re meant to be. We often treat failure as the end of the road when really, it’s a detour. The most successful people in life aren’t those who never fail but those who fail, learn, and get back up.

Finally, I told them that I only succeeded when I leaned into what I was naturally good at, focusing on enhancing my strengths instead of fixating on my weaknesses. I urged them to not force themselves into someone else’s definition of success, but to find what they love, what they’re good at, and then find ways to make it their life’s work. When you blend your strengths and passions with your purpose, you unlock something truly powerful.

A CHALLENGE TO THE STUDENTS

Some of the students I addressed already knew what they wanted to do. Others were still figuring it out. Both are fine. The important thing is to remain curious and committed, embracing the journey with all its twists and turns, and trusting that every step brings you closer to your purpose.

I cautioned them not to compare their path to others and to ignore the social media world of highlight reels. Your journey is uniquely yours, I said, so celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and trust that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.

As I concluded, I challenged them to think about excellence in a broader sense. It’s not just about individual achievement; it’s about how you contribute to your community and the world. Use your talents to make a difference. Be leaders, innovators, and changemakers. The world needs your brilliance and courage, I said.

Excellence isn’t a destination – it’s a journey. It’s about showing up every day, doing your best, and striving to be better than you were yesterday. It’s about failing, learning, and growing. And most of all, it’s about staying true to who you are and what you love.

As I left that stage, I felt something special about the students of Manning’s School. They weren’t just bright and talented. They were dreamers, doers, and thinkers. The future leaders who will shape Jamaica. And based on their choice of school colours, I think they’re well on their way.

Major Basil Jarrett is the director of communications at the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) and a crisis communications consultant. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Threads @IamBasilJarrett and linkedin.com/in/basiljarrett. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com