Posts

CORONA VIRUS & SOCIAL DISTANCING - THE NEW SOCIAL GLUE

Image
The world is at war! Not since September 11, 2001, has any event, activity or phenomenon gotten the attention of the world as COVID-19 has. Not the global economic meltdown of 2008. Not the Syrian war which began in 2011. Not Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Not Boko Haram’s abduction of the Chibok girls also in 2014. Not allegations of Russia hacking and influencing the result of the American Presidential elections in 2016. Not even the death of the king of pop - Michael Jackson in 2009! While the 9/11 attacks on the USA mostly only got the attention of the world, shaking her faith in humanity, and posing a scare of a nuclear war or possible WW3 if it was confirmed that the perpetrators were a band of rogue, apparently self-immolating countries;   COVID-19 has gotten the attention of the world, and also for the first time in a very long time, united the world against a common enemy. This enemy is not a band of insurgents, or an opportunist military behemoth, or a

No. 29: Treating people badly

Image
What’s the point? Except you are a sadist, you most likely won’t feel good when you treat people badly. And the badly treated party won’t feel good about you or the experience either. Coupled with the fact that as humans, when given the opportunity, we love to serve the revenge meal really chilled, you probably would get it worse the moment the badly treated party has the opportunity to pay you back in your coin. You may hide under the guise or excuse of morality, ethical stand, discipline, proactivity or exemplary leadership to treat people badly. You may be doing all these and not know you have treated, or are treating people badly, but it changes nothing nonetheless. The first characteristic of humanity is imperfection. We make mistakes as effortlessly as we breathe. But, guess what the constant thing about life and humans is…yes you guessed right...change. Humans may make errors, but even more importantly, humans can also change…and for the better too.

No. 28: Worrying so much about what others think

Image
In a digital-driven world where perception is influenced by social media trends and influencers, and where decisions and opinion even at a corporate level are driven by what the trend is on social media, it is easy for you to worry so much about what others think – to desire validation. While getting validation is not a bad thing on its own, worrying so much about it so that it seems that all your action and the satisfaction you derive is based on the validation you get from other people, colleagues, your spouse, your siblings, your followers on social media, and your friends is negative. Worrying so much about what others think about you and what you do takes objectivity out of your actions and decisions, because other than worrying about empirically measurable set objectives, you become subjective and worry instead about how someone or people would feel about A validation seeking mind is an emotion clouded one, and an emotion clouded mind is not a successful career

No. 27: Not giving back

Image
Giving back refers to rendering service and support in cash or kind, particularly to your community, or to the society because you acknowledge that you have enjoyed certain benefits from the community or society, and wish to ensure that other people can enjoy the same benefits – through you.   Nothing gives more pleasure, satisfaction, and fulfillment than giving back. And the good news is that you do not need to have millions to give back. There are various avenues and channels through which you can give back. You can give back in form of cash, recommendations, approvals, knowledge sharing, granting access, training, development, scholarships, sponsorships, community work, and social work in your religious group or social group. It is however easier to give back when you are active, young, earning income, and have strength. This is because, whether you are giving back in cash or kind, you would need all the above factors to give back effectively.

No. 26: Letting the little things get to you.

Image
When you have to wake up very early every day, hit traffic – which you struggle through, by the way, get to work mostly crappy, work late and wade through the same traffic. You are bound to get a little on the edge almost all the time. Add these to tight office deadlines, office politics, and pressure from home, it becomes pretty easy for the little things to get to you. But you should not. This is because letting the little things get to you is a sign of low emotional intelligence and it can also be identified by perceptive opponents who may use it against you by deliberately pushing your buttons when they need you to lose your cool to their advantage. In your career, your IQ gets you started, but it is your EQ that not only keeps you in, but ensures that you grow. So, whether you look at it from a career perspective, or from a life perspective, letting the little things get to you does not serve you well.

No. 25: Being Anti-Social.

Image
By default, humanity thrives on interaction. No family is made up of one person. Neither is there a school, office or religious body that is made up of one person. The need for socialization, human interaction and engagement cannot be over-emphasized. You will be the same person you are today in the next 5 years, except for the books you read, and the company you keep. Because life is not a straight line, there always will be many curves, turns, bends, ups and downs, both in your career and your personal life. No matter how resilient, educated and self-reliant you are, the role of your spouse, colleagues, peers, leaders, mentors, siblings, religious leaders and even your children cannot be overlooked. Some will inspire you to prove them right or wrong, some will drive you to achieve more for their sake, some are just there to give you a listening ear – which can be priceless, some are there to intercede and pray for you, while others may just be there to

No. 24: Not going on vacation.

Image
No matter how much you try, there would always be some unfinished business in the office. The day there is no more work to be done, the business goes out of business. The trick is to learn how to balance. Balance work with rest, family and other extra-curricular activity that catches your fancy. Listen. Nobody is indispensable. You may be important. Very important actually. But do not ever deceive yourself into believing that you are indispensable. Therefore, refusing to go on a deserved vacation using the excuse of the business suffering because of your short absence is actually self-delusional, and a sign of job insecurity. And remember, the ability to go on vacation is a function of the availability of funds to prosecute it, good health to enjoy it, a guaranteed job to come back to after the vacation, as well as the availability of free time, however short, to enjoy it. These are factors which your job and career currently enable. Do no