I have a theory which I need the proper catch-phrase to summarise it. It's closely related to Prof. Pius Adesanmi's shower 🚿 head theory. I call mine for now, the clock ⏰ theory: A person's/people's attention to excellence can be determined by the clock in their space.
If you walk into an office and the clock ⏰ on the wall is not working, they do not pay attention to detail. They are comfortable around things that do not work & they are okay with 'managing it like that'. It's really that simple.
The clock here is of course a metaphor. Same can be deduced from light bulbs 💡 in the office. 3 bulbs but only one is working. 3 bulbs but they have different colours & shapes. They are not serious people. They do things anyhow. Proceed with caution ⚠️.
The underlying philosophy behind the theory is that these 'problems' are staring you in the face & are easy to fix yet you cannot be bothered. A battery is less than N500 yet you ignore it. How then am I sure that you will pay attention to details in attending to my task?
So as you enter your office today, look at the clock on the wall. Is it working? If not, what's the problem? Battery? Send someone to buy one & change it. You didn't think it mattered? Now you know it does. Your unworking clock says a lot about you.
And if it is a general office, be the person of excellence who refuses to accept things not working around you. It may be an appraisal issue. Someone will take note & make a mental note. And no, its not your job won't suffice as an excuse. Do it for you.
And as for those of you who wear wrist-watches that don't work, you are more interested in aesthetics than functionality. Yours is an even bigger issue. You're more interested in the right appearance than in what works. The person you're having meeting with has taken note 😡.
So as you go out today, be the person that is uncomfortable with 'small issues'. Make it a habit to identify AND fix minor issues whether it is your remit or not. It helps build a spirit of excellence. Your journey is long. Acquire useful habits along the way.
Udo.
Ugwu Ngwu.
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With a boss like mine, no chance you'll get carried away. Reality check always embedded in a quasi commendation.
"You're doing great but you should be worried that you've not groomed others who share your work ethics. Your success lies in replicating yourself".
I hear sir.
I could make excuses. Words like you can only drag a horse to the river & such but he's actually right. I cannot be the go-to person all the time. I have to consciously ensure available of a ready pool of talents who can competently deputise or handle tasks on their own.
It sounds clichéd but it's true that success without a successor is faulty. You may just be feeding your own ego by being the only one who knows how to effectively get things done. There's also the element of wear-out & fatigue. Do it for yourself at the very least.
Marry who gets you o. I'm extroverted for Africa. I attend every function I'm invited to. My wife on the other hand is in love with her indoors & can't be bothered. She cheerily waves me off when I set out from my numerous waka. Not someone that will tight face for you.
These things are usually obvious at courtship stage. While courting my wife, when she comes over, I'd wake up Friday night to go clubbing. Let's go. She'd say she's not up for it. Just come back early. & I will to warm embrace. No issues. Still the norm 14 years post marriage.
Wahala usually arises when you condone things before marriage & seek to alter them post-marriage. Your marriage is usually shaped during courtship stage. Whatever you're not cool with, voice out & watch your partner's reaction & decide if you can deal. Very critical.
A few pointers to what Olumide Akpata did that all but ensured he won the election as President of the Nigerian Bar Association 2020.
1. He had track record. Olu has been actively engaged in Bar activities. He was Chairman of the influential Section on Business Law & excelled.
SBL events during his Chairmanship were lit. He invited international figures & attracted large followership to the section. His capacity was on full display. He also chaired the organising committee of the NBA National Conference & did a visibly great job.
2. He was known. Olu was not a dark horse who suddenly emerged on the scene. Lawyers already knew him. He was involved in a lot of NBA & ancillary activities. He had friends accros strata and demographics. It was easy to count on those friendships.
There is your salary. Then there are opportunities for ancillary earnings on the job.
With the right job, your salary won't matter.
Don't pay too much attention to the salary. Find out what the perqs are.
Get a job where the extras make the salary redundant.
Someone's salary is N200,000/month. Outstation allowance is N30k/day all other expenses paid. The job requires about 20 days a month in the field.
What is a static N500k salary a month compared to this package?
Get the full picture before you decide.
The best jobs are usually the ones that come with extra earning opportunities. Preferably on the regular. That way, you can take care of daily recurrent expenses with the extras & save up your salary into a tidy lump sum to use for capital projects over time.
When you're used to things being done properly, one of the biggest frustrations you will face is working with people who have no problem with 'little' defects. They are legion. Worst is they don't even see what you consider as a defect. You end up looking like a difficult person.
Prof. Pius Adesanmi alluded to this in his 'Parable of the Shower head'. The repairman of a 5-star hotel did not understand what his fuss was about a shower head that was not shooting water through all the holes. He insisted the shower was working even if only a few holes worked.
Those 'little' defects add up. They may be trickles but they will soon form a dam if not corrected immediately. They are a window into your processes, your quality mindset, your mediocrity threshold. You are judged by your defects, not your stellar qualities.
Still on Arthur Eze trivia. A man once visited him & complained that the last time he came, Arthur's boys shook him down for the money he was given. Arthur berated him saying that if he's not willing to share what he gets, then he's not qualified to receive from him.
Hanging around Prince Arthur is a licence to cool cash. He doles out huge sums on a daily basis to visitors & the visitors are obliged to drop something to those around before leaving. That builds up to a tidy sum at the end of the day.
The rule is they will open the door for you to enter to see him and you have to make your own case to get what you can. On your way out, you drop a portion. If you tell stories when you come out, they won't open for you to enter again.