According to Michael Jordan, it is vital to earn one’s leadership every day. This statement has proven to be true as it concerns the political figure and leader, Rishi Sunak. The Southampton native recently succeeded Liz Truss and assumed office as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on the 24^th of October, 2022. This was a monumental feat as his journey to the prime minister’s seat remains one of hope, dedication, and astute leadership.

The current conservative party leader has a history of being hard-working and focused. Little wonder he became the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Indian Descent. From earning an MBA at Stanford University to working at Goldman Sachs and being appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak proved himself worthy of his new leadership position.

To be a good leader, you should have qualities such as experience, decisiveness, shrewdness, and perseverance. Does Rishi Sunak have these qualities? Read on to find out.

Here are five leadership qualities you can learn from Rishi’s political life:

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

The 42-year-old Conservative Party leader set precedence by garnering great work experience which made him a solid fit for the job of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

He worked as an Analyst for the Investment Bank, Goldman Sachs before becoming a partner for a Hedge Fund Management firm: the Children’s Investment Fund Management.

Sunak led the Black and Minority Ethnic Research Unit and was a member of the environment, food, and rural affairs select committee. He continued to excel and gain rank with rich experience that remains a primary ingredient of his success. That is probably why he was found worthy of leading the United Kingdom as Prime Minister.

AUTHENTICITY WORKS

A true mark of leadership is one’s ability to stay true to their core values, even when it is difficult. Despite the challenges associated with his political career, Rishi has remained true to his core values. Upon becoming Prime Minister, Rishi showed his human side by praying in front of the press. This he probably did out of personal habits and faith. He also showcases his family every chance he gets.

In addition, when the UK experienced economic turbulence, Rishi supported certain policies that put him at odds with many people. However, it is evident that these decisions will pay off in the long run.

VALUE IS KEY

When the world faced an unanticipated pandemic in 2020, Sunak went above and beyond to provide quick solutions for employees.

Sunak expanded his state and was able to manage the economy during the pandemic and the Ukraine crisis. He announced the furlough scheme where he unveiled the Eat out to Help out, a program to support and create jobs in the hospitality industry.

As a result, food and soft drinks were subsidized at outlets that participated in the scheme; this helped keep unemployment levels low. Being ready to make effective decisions in a short time is a value every leader must have.

UNDERSTAND THE TIMES

It is important to know when NOT to be or remain a leader regardless of one’s ambition. The ability to step down when there is a goal misalignment on either personal or professional levels makes one stand out as a leader. Sunak obviously modelled this.

On July 5th, 2022, three months before he became Prime minister of the United Kingdom, Sunak resigned as Chancellor. He left because he felt his approach to the economy was ‘’fundamentally different’’ from that of Boris Johnson, his former political colleague. It was important for him to step down when it seemed like their values no longer aligned despite their history together. Many leaders need to learn from this example.

SHOW EMPATHY ALWAYS

A true leader knows the importance of empathy. Empathetic leaders always view the world from other people’s perspectives and make decisions that put the unique needs into consideration. Sunak displays this quality.

In August 2022, a video of Sunak speaking to an audience in Kent went public. In that video, he said he changed funding formulas that ‘’shoved’’ money into “deprived urban areas”. He also emphasized the desire to “level up everywhere” including “vast urban cities’’. This shows a noble side that is commendable and worthy of emulation.

It is safe to say that Sunak’s leadership qualities will help the United Kingdom rise above the turmoil it has experienced in recent times.

Now that you know these leadership mantras, go ahead and be the leader you were born to be.

Enjoyed the article? Share with your friends and family. Don’t forget to look out for the next one.

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When it comes to celebrities in business, Rihanna is a major force to reckon with. In spite of life conflicts and humble beginnings, Robyn Rihanna Fenty is one of the world’s youngest self-made billionaires. From being an army cadet at the age of 11 to selling clothes with her father from a stall on the streets of Bridgetown to becoming a renowned billionaire, the 34-year-old mogul and mum has shown us time and time again that it is possible to have it all.

Here are 5 business lessons from Rihanna:

Prepare Well

You know the popular saying, preparation meets opportunity, that is a summary of Rihanna’s life trajectory. After auditioning with the music business producer, Evan Rogers during his vacation in Barbados, in 2003, the rest is history. Rihanna walked into that room prepared and ready to get a deal.

She made such an impression that Evan introduced her to Jay Z and LA Reid; they both made a move to sign her to their record label. Her fame rose and earned her the title of the bestselling digital artist of all time.

Embrace Collaboration

Rihanna has an eye for partnerships. From collaborations with musical artists to partnering with Benoit Demouy to launch a beauty and stylist agency named; FR8ME and creating Fenty the fashion brand for the LVMH luxury group, Rihanna understands how to leverage her network. Rihanna’s collaboration with the company paid off.

Rihanna has worked and partnered with various high-profile brands. Doing this yielded mutually beneficial results, thereby, bringing both businesses to the forefront. She has gone on to launch, Fenty Beauty, SavageXFenty, Fenty Skin, Fenty Hair, and other successful businesses. You would be right to call Fenty, a full-fledged household name in the industry.

Take Risks

Everyone knows that taking risks is number one on the list of advice from major business moguls. While risks may sound like bad news, a business person harnesses the opportunities failure presents by seeing it as an opportunity to learn.

Speaking of setbacks, Rihanna has forged ahead to become the billionaire she is today. During the pandemic, Fenty and LVMH group took out time to strategize and focus on SavageXFenty, the lingerie brand, which soon gained momentum. Today, it is one of the most successful lingerie brands to reckon with.

Be Strategic

Rihanna recently released ‘Lift Me Up‘ a soundtrack for the Black Panther sequel entitled Wakanda Forever. This comes after a long break from the music scene. The film rakes in millions at the box office; this means her song receives a promotion at little or no cost. The lesson here is to pick your business projects carefully. Go for work or contracts that are worth your time and will give you the reach you need to experience growth. Your business will thank you.

Be Kind

An artist in the morning and a business mogul at night, Rihanna finds ways to show kindness and give back. Rihanna’s Believe Foundation pays for the treatment of critically ill children at various hospices. She launched her Clara Lionel foundation in 2012, which supports education and health programs worldwide. Her humanitarian side earned her the award of Harvard Foundation for Humanitarian of the year.

Rihanna was the first global ambassador for the Global Partnership for Education in 2021. She used her voice to advocate support for education programs. She has learned to pay it forward and reaps the benefits years after.

Against all odds, Rihanna has emerged as a celebrity with a solid business side. Learn from her and put these nuggets to use. You too can win if you put your mind to it.

Try it!

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Here are 6 easy steps to becoming visible in a male-dominated workplace:

Stay Confident

How you carry yourself on the job determines how you will be perceived by others. The way you look and speak tells a story about your personality and importance to your employers and colleagues. When relevant knowledge meets innovative application, confidence shows up. This simply means that you don’t give in to the narrative of beauty without brains; you flip the script by ensuring that you become indispensable in the areas that require your input. Knowing when to speak up and convince the decision-makers is also very important so your ideas can see the light of day. Your excellent work will get you noticed and your ability to keep at it without supervision will make you a valuable player (MVP) even before the naysayers.

Be Diplomatic

The work environment is a setting where words and body language can be misinterpreted. This means that your words and demeanor must not spark up a war at that moment or when you leave. Diplomacy demands that you construct your sentence in a way that you are not judged as proud or sarcastic especially when speaking with your superiors. Therefore, careful thought and planning must go into every word spoken and every email shared. Even when you have to defend yourself, you must be clear and avoid making ambiguous statements that can make people feel bad. In a situation where you have the chance to throw people under the bus in a moment of rage, you must step back and clear your head so you don’t wreck your career growth in a minute or two knowing that words are not easily forgotten. Remember, pure hard work may take you to the top, emotional intelligence coupled with the same hard work will sustain you more.

Do More

Many workers believe that the KPI (Key performance indicator) tied to their job description is the only factor that comes into play when it is time for the appraisal. Unfortunately, a lot of bosses do not tell subordinates the importance of being a problem solver at every point in time or how it affects their image. When you work in Department A, you must be wise enough to understand how your role affects Department B, C, D and the entire company. This will help you stand out as you will be able to proffer solutions and save the company unnecessary costs while further marking you as one fit to lead others when the need arises

Take Responsibility

Bosses value subordinates who go all out to do tasks assigned to them. They also favour those who take initiative by taking on additional responsibility outside their comfort zone. Hence when a boss says he needs someone to do a report or accompany him to a meeting, you should not hesitate to step forward and make life easy for your boss. It makes you stand out and also helps you learn new skills that may come into play when the time of promotion comes. This also means that when the time of restructuring comes, your boss will not let you go because you make his work easier.

Be a Team Player

The work environment is a competitive place but the ability to work with the team in mind earns you points. This is the difference between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. If you have the capacity to mobilize the team to play their own part while you play yours, you will be seen as a team player, not someone who wants to shine at the risk of making the team look bad. This also means that you must be careful to use “we” not “I” in sensitive situations that can affect the image of the team. If you are able to do this, even when naysayers or toxic people try to badmouth you, your boss will defend you and support you before his own superiors.

Be Passionate

Passion and focus go hand in hand especially in the workplace. The way you do your job with a difference will make people mark you out for excellence. It could also attract more work because people are sure that you will go the extra mile to get the job done but that means that your absence will be felt because people will miss your special touch. The capacity to love your job and do it to the best of your ability without supervision or eye-service shows the depth of your passion, therefore, the recognition and reward many people lobby for will come to you in due time.

Being a woman in the workplace is not a disadvantage, it is a good thing. These steps will not work if you belong to the class of those who want to use “bottom power” to rise through the ranks as a time will come when those who kept you there will leave and your fall will be great. Believe in yourself, work hard, apply wisdom and watch the world clap for you in good time.

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Please see below 4 trusted ways to make fun in the work place either as an employee or a business owner:

Have a Game Area/ Create a Game for Yourself

If you want to stay happy and motivated, it is highly recommended that you take regular breaks. When there is a fun and relaxing breakout area outside the usual work desk with games like Snooker, Scramble or just a nice background blues, it helps to clear the mind. Imagine having a chit-chat about projects over the Snooker table, giving everyone a fresh new perspective to take back to their various desks. If your work environment does not support this kind of fun. make one for yourself!

 Have a Regular Team Bonding Session to Encourage Friendship

The best way to form collaborative culture is not to pay huge sum for team building training but to socialise more with your colleagues. This could be achieved by going on regular day/night (weekends) time out with your team. Going out together as a team is a great way to get everyone having fun and forming relationships outside of work that could inspire collaboration back in the office. A popular writer once said “‘best friend’ at work are up to 7 times more engaged than those who aren’t”.

 Decorate Your Work Space

You spend a huge proportion of your time at work so it’s important not to hate your office. If you want to enjoy being at work, make sure your work space looks attractive and interesting like you have your house. This is a key point for productivity.

Sought for Feedback

Getting feedback is an important way to improve performance at work. But sometimes, it can be hard to seek out, and even harder to hear. So always seek feedback from your colleagues or even subordinate at the end of the work-day. Remember, getting feedback is about improving your performance, not turning it into a “you versus them” mentality. Your reaction is critical. Do not rationalise the feedback or explain it away. Do not blame others or get angry. If you react in any of those ways, you are less apt to get accurate feedback from that person again.

Finally, Regardless of your situation and the demands on your time, with a little bit of creativity and careful planning, you can carve out time for the things that matter most; things that brings you happiness. Use these stated strategies and start seeing improvement in your productivity.

Photo Credit: Google Image

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Nigeria has recorded some success in this campaign and have succeeded in having women hold certain political offices that have not been held by women previously.

To celebrate the phenomenal strength of the Nigerian woman, we will be highlighting few women that have made names for themselves in the Nigerian political world:

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

The delta state born economist is the first female minister of finance in Nigeria. Ths woman served two terms under the previous administrations.  She was indeed a good influence on the Nigerian economy as during her first term under President Obasanjo’s Administration.

She headed negotiations with the Paris Club of Creditors that led to the wiping out of US$30 billion of Nigeria’s debt, including the outright cancellation of US$18 billion.

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is a supporter of the girl child as she empowered Nigeria’s women and youth with the Growing Girls and Women in Nigeria Programme (GWIN) and the Youth Enterprise with Innovation programme (YouWIN) a programme to support entrepreneurs and created thousands of jobs in the country. She currently holds political offices outside the country.

Dora Akunyili

The minister for information and communication from 2008 to 2010 was also the director general for National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control of Nigeria. As the director general on NAFDAC she encouraged honesty and excellence in the sector as the circulation on fake drugs was limited as a result saving lives.

As the minister of Information and Communication she anchored the Re-branding Nigeria Project. She died of cancer June 7^th 2014. It is recorded that she had the highest number of awards received.

Obiageli Ezekwesili

The popularly known Nigerian accountant served under the President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration as Federal Minister of Solid Minerals and Federal Minister of Education.

She then went ahead to serve as the vice president of the World Bank’s Africa division from May 2007 to May 2012. Oby Ezekwesili also championed the Bring Back Our Girls Campaign in a bid to find the missing girls from April 2014.

Abike Dabiri

Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa started her career in journalism and had worked fifteen years in the National Television Authority (NTA) before she retired and ventured into politics. She is a former member of the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Constituency in Lagos State, the Chairman of the House Committee on Media & Publicity, the former Chair of the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs.

In 2015 She was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora.

Florence Ita Giwa

Ita-Giwa joined politics and emerged as National Republican Convention (NRC) chairman for Delta State. Thereafter, she was elected a member of the federal House of Representatives. She became involved in Bakassi affairs, and earned the nickname “Mama Bakassi”.

Ita-Giwa was elected Senator for the Cross River South constituency in April 1999 and was appointed to committees on Rules and Procedures, Environment, Foreign Affairs, Women, Niger Delta and Drug & Narcotics.

These women and many others have been able to carve a niche for themselves in the Nigerian political system giving a room for the younger women to aspire for such positions in the future.

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Thankfully, the narrative is changing as many women are gradually waking up to the reality that they can be whatever they want to be with the help of other women. When women come together to help one another, only good can come out of it and men will be affected positively (that was evident in the Black Panther Movie, thanks to the Dora Milaje…lol). Many support groups have risen to push the course of women empowerment and fulfillment in every area.

Here are some of the groups investing time and money in the bid to change the mindset of limitation bestowed upon women by the society:

FIN

Females in Nigeria aka FIN is one online group that has become the Nigerian woman’s therapeutic space. Started years back by Lola Omolola, a Nigerian woman living in the diaspora, this group has grown to have over a million members. Women of different races and values find a common ground in the fact that they are women and treat each other like sisters. Women who seek to heal or carry hurt due to one challenge or the other are given the chance to rant, share and also give each other moral support without any form of judgment. The slogan for the team is “I see you” which embodies the sisterhood spirit the team seeks to inculcate in every woman. The number increases every day and keeps the Facebook page lively. Little wonder, the convener was invited to speak with Mark Zuckerberg in 2017.

Awesome Treasures Foundation

This is a faith-based initiative that seeks to help women discover their purpose while connecting them with people who have walked such paths before. Founded by the face of Architecture in Africa, Mrs. Jumoke Adenowo, this foundation is known for its Women Summit that holds every year and sheds more light on the possibility of fulfilling purpose in every sphere as a woman.

WIMBiz

The acronym simply stands for Women in Management and Business. This group is one that seeks to empower women in the place of business and entrepreneurship. Started by female and male professionals, this platform is one that helps women find their feet by running mentorship and advisory programs that will give women an edge in the marketplace.

BBOG/Red Card Initiative

These initiatives are the brainchildren of technocrat and former minister Oby Ezekwesili who is a Chartered Accountant and mother. She started the Bring Back Our Girls initiative after the abduction of the Chibok girls by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group. She is often seen leading peaceful protests to put the government and everyone who cares to listen on their toes while creating awareness for the plight of the parents of these girls. Her voice remains one of the strongest so far in the fight to teach the society the importance of protecting the girl child. The Red Card initiative is also her contribution to the political terrain. Her message is clear “register and get your PVC” so you can kick out bad government and bring in serious-minded people who long to take the nation to greater heights. Coming from a woman means other women will be encouraged to join the fight against corruption.

She Leads Africa

This women-empowering initiative was founded by Yasmin Belo Osagie and Afua Osei. It was founded to offer support to women who seek to be relevant in the entrepreneurial & professional space. At different points in the year, this organization sets up many online and offline convergences that provide the perfect networking opportunity and allow women from different sectors draw strength from each other. It also provides funding for entrepreneurs who are able to prove their mettle.

Mirabel Rape Crisis Centre

Founded as a safe haven for women who have suffered sexual assault, this initiative seeks to provide a platform for rape victims to find justice while healing. Founded by Itoto Eze Anabais, any woman who has been raped is assured of a sisterhood that throws its weight behind women while offering free medical and counselling services without judging.

The theme for this year is Press for Progress and it is a call to action. Whatever you do, remember your sisters need you and you need them too. Start that business and give other women room to grow. If you are on a professional journey, help other women find their way. Get your crown and help the women around you set theirs right. You win when other women conquer. Happy International Women’s Day.

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Here are 5 beautiful ways to make your passion your job:

Start a Travel Blog

It is your job as a travel blogger to travel to different places, take pictures, record videos, write articles and even talk about the process of traveling to these undiscovered places. These bits will be uploaded on the blog/website/social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook etc. With time, you will gather followers who will help to share these resources with friends and loved ones at no extra cost. This will not only help people make choices, it will also make your website or blog the go-to source for everything travel. As your blog/website gains popularity, you will get the chance to advertise for brands and companies on your platform. In addition, you will begin to get the attention of tourism-based organizations; airlines etc. who may make you an ambassador and sponsor your trip in exchange for free reviews and the likes. Apart from the beauty of being your own boss and enjoying your own time as you want, you can also get the attention of News networks like CNN etc. You become an authority on travel and receive TV airtime to share your experience and business secrets with the world. Just start, remain consistent and watch fame and fortune fall into your lap. An example of someone who has made this happen is Chiamaka Ntia (nee Obuekwe) with Instagram handle @social prefect. She was interviewed by CNN.

Become a Tour Guide

As a travel lover, you can relocate to a new country and study the place till you have the layout and history at the back of your mind. Knowing the choice tourist attractions will come in handy when people travel in from around the world on holiday. Every day you will be required to work with different groups of people by showing them around these places and reeling out history that will get them engaged. You also get to move around a lot while talking and meeting different people. As you work as a tour guide, you will also have the opportunity to travel to new places, research and share the information with new travelers and the pay is good too. Whether you organize tours for small families or business travelers, you can be sure that your account will be ringing with cash every other day. Talk about living the dreamer’s life.

Get an Air Hostess Job

This one speaks for itself. Working as an air hostess is the easiest way to live the life of traveler without paying one Naira. The airline foots all your bills and takes you around the world with ease. All it takes is meeting the criteria set for air hostesses as there are physical hurdles you have to cross. Looking the part and acting it go hand in hand. The tough part is having to stand on your feet for hours and putting people skills to use as you make everyone on the flight comfortable. You can be sure that the good life is yours to enjoy. Don’t forget to travel light!

Become a Travel Writer

You will need to love writing to explore this option. Travel writing presents you with the opportunity to work on a journal while you travel around the world. The idea is to work with travel magazines that foot your bill as you travel around and create fascinating pieces of writing for public consumption. Panorama Journal is an example of such a travel journal.

Start a Travel Agency

Many people find it difficult to take out time from their busy schedule to make travel arrangements for their dream vacation. The idea of leaving the office to run around for these arrangements is seen as stress. This is where you come in; one man’s stress is another man’s source of cash. All you have to do is leverage on social media after registering your business name and all. Then you can begin to help busy people bring their travel dreams to life for a fee. You also get to work with larger travel agencies and get your cut as well. Another perk you can get from all this work is travel bonus and discounts which means you also get to travel for vacation at a reduced price. Think about that!

Note: Like every other endeavor, finding your feet in this line will take a lot of work, time and patience. You will need to learn the business side of things in order to create value and make profit. You can research and understudy those who have been in the business before you or work with a mentor so you don’t make avoidable mistakes. Get up and get that cash in grand style!

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We will be discussing seven types of colleagues in the next paragraph:

The Sleepers:

This set of people can sleep on water and you wonder if they didn’t sleep at home. They sleep at intervals even when others are working vigorously because they cannot afford to let anything get in the way of their pleasant sleep. This act gets them popular with everyone as it becomes noticeable over time.

The Talkatives:

These folks sometimes give you the vibe you need on the job. Although they overdo it at times because they hardly know when to stop. Their colleagues keeps hoping they don’t talk and put others in trouble because their talkativeness has levels. All noises erupt from their end.

The Geeks:

The overly serious ones. They are mostly glued to their systems and when they are not working, they are probably learning something new. They don’t care about the new trends in town, they just want to work and go back to their houses. Most times they leave the office later than everyone.

The Snitches:

Snitches have just one ambition, ‘getting in the good books of their bosses’. This they strive to achieve irrespective of who being is dragged down. They are the suppliers of information to their bosses, leaving everyone in awe of how the boss got wind of the situation that happened in their absence.

The Foodies:

When you see the way they hurry to eat early in the morning, you wonder if they are pregnant but they are not pregnant they just love to eat. Most of the time they are the slim ones yet they eat at intervals from food to snacks.

The Beggars:

Ever had a colleague that is interested in everything you are holding? It can really get irritating at times but you can’t help the situation. They beg everyone for food or anything they see. These set of people most of the time keep their own belongings and are mostly in monopoly of their stuffs.

The Clueless:

Imagine having a colleague that does not really know their role at the office. Not because they were not informed about their job description but they have chosen to be ignorant and most times they beg other colleague to help out with their responsibilities. They can even go as far as paying whoever is willing to help with their roles.

The Gossips:

Everybody’s gist is on their table. For latest information about your colleagues you can always bank on them. Trust them to give you all the updated information, they are mostly in groups of twos or more.

The Slayers:

You definitely have colleagues that are overly fashion conscious, they are always slaying. These ones go to the rest room for touch ups at intervals and are always taking selfies.

The Temperamental:

They are the constant fighters in the office, they cannot handle nonsense from anyone so they flare up at the slightest provocation.

Which of them are you? identify yourself and some of your colleagues and have a good laugh.

The post 10 Types of Colleagues at Your Workplace appeared first on Hermaze | Relationship, Beauty, Fashion, Family Articles for Women.

Study Your Environment

Getting into a new place can be unnerving as it is unknown terrain but taking time to watch everyone after the first introduction can help you recognize the movers & shakers of your department/workplace. Study the different individuals to understand their behaviours as against the culture of the organization. This will not prevent you from doing your work, it will only help you to be a few steps ahead as you are able to tell who is the influencer, the pretender, the butt-licker, the hard-worker etc. Your ability to recognize the different types of people will help you structure your work in a way that helps you stand out without being at anyone’s mercy.

Choose Your Words

It has been established that the workplace is not a very friendly place. This is simply because your presence is a threat to a number of people. For every time you excel or shine, you make more enemies who will look for a way to turn the spotlight back to them or get information that can lead to your undoing. Therefore, you have to be very wise in the way you contribute to discussions or respond to questions. Some people are good at stirring up controversies e.g. they start some tricky topics and control the conversation in order to take information to the boss. For example, if someone is talking about the boss’ shortcomings and trying to get you to speak ill of him/her; or if a colleague is trying to get an idea of what you earn (which is confidential information), you must be smart enough to see through the pretense and give a vague answer that cannot be quoted anywhere. In the case where you are unable to give a blanket answer, you are allowed to smile and keep quiet. Not every question requires an answer.

Do Your Job Well

The major reason you got the job is because of the value you will add to the business, never lose sight of that. For every time you do your job, you must do good work that cannot be faulted and will not cost the company money. Hence, you must be innovative by thinking of endless ways to leave the business better than you met it. This means that you should have an entrepreneurial mindset. You must also be humble enough to learn new things and ask questions without feeling shy. You must know how to stand out while being a team player. Take on challenges by learning new parts of the business while positioning yourself as a key player in that field. The only way to stand out is to have a signature that showcases you as a lover of excellence.

Say No to Gossip

As formal as the workplace is, gossip is the only visitor that you cannot shut out of the gathering. The best thing you can do is to remove yourself from such a toxic setting. Before you panic, no one has asked you to resign. All you have to do is block out the voice of the big-mouthed employee who always sees the bad things. The rule here is clear, whoever comes to gossip about someone to you will go elsewhere to gossip about you. Now imagine if you have joined the obnoxious person to malign another employee and the person moves on to the next person, he/she will definitely twist your words and make you the enemy. So next time anyone comes to you with gist about someone, get busy and smile without adding or subtracting from what the person is saying or simply ask him/her to speak with the person in question.

Control Your Temper

There is nothing as valuable as Emotional Intelligence. This is a weapon in career building that is often underestimated. Now if you are someone who likes to argue, win a battle or lash out at people with toxic words, you cannot earn respect for your work or even get the baton of leadership in a work setting. The thrust of leadership is the ability to make people do their work well while helping them feel valuable as people. “But I am very blunt person”…please don’t give excuses for rudeness. Wisdom is profitable to direct, there is always a better way to give feedback without insulting people or cursing. Respect everybody and treat each person well. You never know when you will need the help of the next person so keep the bad words in your head. Also the ability to deflect nasty talks will make you a winner any day. If the next person is not wise enough to display emotional intelligence, don’t roll in the mud with them. Stay quiet and smile as the potty mouthed person disgraces himself openly. If you feel like you are a target, you can report the person to the necessary people so that he/she can be cautioned.

Keep Personal Things Personal

The office environment is not the place to give certain excuses or tell some stories. You don’t want to give anyone ammunition to use against you due to workplace dynamics. Therefore, you must try to do your work properly so that you don’t have to lie or say unsavory things. If you are taking time off for health reasons, it is not right to tell your boss that you are treating an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease)…you know how that sounds, right? If you are taking some days off, the workplace is only meant to know that you are going on leave…not that you are going for society parties. You might not see anything wrong in disclosing this but you never know if the HR or your boss will change their opinion about you just because of one innocent thing you said. In addition, not everyone has a good heart so what you say can become a topic of discussion or have people look down on you while spreading false rumors about you.

Have No Expectations

It is easy to feel betrayed when someone you have trusted with private information or see as an ally plots against you. The reality of life is different, treat everyone well but do not expect too much from them. Never complain to your colleagues, just take issues in your stride to avoid hearing a different version of the story from the Ogas at the top. Snitches do not carry a sign on their foreheads. Be accessible to everyone on the job, offer help where you can but be cautious when relating with them.

Note: it is possible to make friends and find destiny helpers in a workplace but you need to give it time. You must relate with everyone without allowing them know everything about you. Self-preservation is very important. It is often said that when two friends fight, secrets come to light. Now read that again and replace “friends” with “colleagues” (I am sure you get the picture). Give your best at work and be helpful. Be professional yet courteous. Be interested in the welfare of people but do not cross the privacy line so that you do not get into trouble. If you find true friends eventually, you are blessed. Re-invent yourself every time in preparation for the next opportunity and watch fortune favour you as you climb up the career ladder.

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We will be discussing writers that have got to that level of being recognised in their muse. For every book lover, their books are worth investing your resources.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The writer of Purple Hibiscus, Half of a yellow sun, Americana and other numerous books was born 15^th September 1977 in Enugu an eastern part of Nigeria. She has paved ways for herself with her brilliant style of writing, one of which granted her the MacArthur Genius Grant award in 2008. She is a feminist and a human right activist with a popular line of ‘we should all be feminists’, a line that brought about the active movement of feminism in the world. Chimamanda has also delivered lectures at different Events like the TED Talks, Common wealth lecture of 2012 and many others. Her books which have gained international recognition are worth reading.

Helen Olajumoke Oyeyemi

The Nigerian born British novelist and writer was born 10th December 1984. Her first novel ‘The Icarus Girl’ was written while she was still studying for her A-levels. She went on writing other numerous books that has earned her different awards. In 2016 she was named as one of the ‘most gifted’ writers at work today. Her book ‘What is Not Yours is Not Yours’ won her the PEN America Open Book Award in 2017.

Ola Rotimi

Olawale Gladstone Emmanuel, the writer of the popular drama ‘our husband has gone mad again’’ was born April 1938 and died August 2000. Before his death in 2000, he was one of Nigerians leading playwright and directors who wrote series of plays; many of which were used for literature lessons in schools. From ‘The Gods Are Not To Blame’, ‘Kurunmi’, ‘Ovaonramven’ among others. This writer is a custodian of the African culture, an aspect of him that was displayed in a lot of his works. You might want to consider any of his books to learn more about the African culture.

Wole Soyinka

He is an icon in the writing industry and a force to reckon with in the industry. Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka was born 13^th July 1934 in Nigeria. Wole Soyinka is a respectable Nigerian playwright and a poet. The writer of ‘the lion and the jewel’ is the first Nigerian to be honoured with the Nobel Prize in literature, which he got in 1986 due to his recognized pieces of literature. Wole Soyinka still remains prominent even till this day not only in Nigeria but in the world at large. 

Buchi Emecheta

The writer of ‘The Joys of Motherhood’ was born in Nigeria on the 21^st of July 1944. She writes plays, autobiography and also books for children. During her lifetime before she died in January 2015 she was an author to more than 20 books that sold around the world. She was also an activist for female independence in her books as seen in ‘the joys of motherhood’.

Chinua Achebe

Albert Chinụalụmọgụ Achebe was born on the 16^th November 1930 in the eastern part of Nigeria. An English literature graduate from the University of Ibadan formerly known as the university college Ibadan. I call him a visionary writer as most of his work can be described as a foretell of things to come. His book ‘There was a country’ is an example of this as most things that we see happening in modern day Nigeria was actually stated in his book.

The writer of ‘Things fall apart’ is a dedicated and a witty writer as all of his work expresses wisdom to its readers. He is also an upholder of the African culture as many of his works details our culture in ways that will promote us to the world at large.

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