Rachel Adekunle AIRB’s Post

I was happy in Nigeria, but I still wanted more. I often ask myself, Why didn’t I just further my education there? I was doing well. I had the skills, the passion, and the drive to succeed in my field. Life was comfortable. But deep down, a part of me kept asking, What else? I wasn’t running away from what I had. In fact, I was thriving. Yet, I realized that being happy where I was didn’t mean I should settle. I wanted growth that pushed me beyond my limits, challenges that would sharpen my perspective, and experiences that would open doors I hadn’t even thought to knock on. Leaving was never about dissatisfaction, it was about expanding the vision, opening my mind to new possibilities, and challenging myself to think differently. It was about knowing that no matter how good things were, there’s always room for more. More learning, more discovery, more self-development. Growth isn’t about where you are but where you’re willing to go. And sometimes, that journey takes you farther than you ever imagined. So to anyone who’s also left something good behind, I ask: What were you looking for? And did you find it? #GrowthMindset #Ambition #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #SelfGrowth

The Call to Action: Stepping Up When Opportunity Knocks I remember that morning like it was yesterday, during one of our team check-ins. As we were wrapping up the meeting, my manager dropped a surprising announcement, she was transitioning out of the team. This was the second unexpected news in just one week. At first, I was simply overwhelmed by the emotions of seeing her go and the realization that I would miss working with her. But in the days that followed, reality set in. It was time for me to step up and fill a role that felt bigger than me. It wasn’t just about taking on the 2024 #recruitment goals; it was about #leading the team forward. When you are given the #opportunity to lead, there’s rarely time to second-guess yourself. For me, this call to action meant not just handling day-to-day tasks but steering the entire vision and #strategy for our recruitment efforts. My mission wasn’t just to hit targets; it was to bring in 500 passionate, committed, and talented individuals who would push forward the vision of Teach For Nigeria. In those initial weeks, I learned so much about stretching beyond my comfort zone. Leadership, I discovered, isn’t always about having all the answers, it’s about stepping up, embracing the unknown, and allowing yourself to grow along the way. And sometimes, the most significant growth happens when you face #challenges head-on. This journey is only beginning, and over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more insights, lessons, and defining moments from this transformative experience. Stay tuned, and remember; sometimes, the most profound opportunities are wrapped in unexpected challenges. #LeadershipJourney #TeachForNigeria #CareerGrowth #2024Reflections

One crucial lesson I learned from Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF) is the importance of affirming your #capabilities, #aspirations, and potential for #growth to cultivate empowerment and motivation. Our daily affirmation goes: “My name is Sumayyah Adefolu. I am a Global leader. I don’t let failure stop me from achieving my goals because failure is only the First Attempt in Learning. I don’t let societal barriers stop me from achieving my goals because I have the power to shape my own future. This is why I will seize every opportunity that will propel my career forward and step out of my comfort zone to embrace new possibilities. I will step out of my comfort zone and embrace new possibilities because I am surrounded by a community of like minded individuals who support and inspire me. Together, we are unstoppable and will achieve remarkable success. Watch out for me!” The human #mind is the most powerful weapon we possess, and it is crucial to nourish it with positivity. Henri Bergson once said, “The eyes only see what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” Therefore, it's essential to be open-minded, ready to learn new things, embrace new cultures, and strive relentlessly to achieve your goals. Take incremental steps towards the pinnacle of your career by developing good habits, as they compound over time. Take charge of your mind, tackle challenging tasks, push beyond your limits, avoid mediocrity, and continue making concerted efforts. The sky is just the beginning, and you will be #unstoppable. I am rooting for you! #affirmations #growth #positivethinking

COMPETENCE IS NOT ENOUGH!!! ✌🏽 Yes! Your competence greatly influences your RELEVANCE and the VALUE you bring to the fore. Yet, you NEED so much more to thrive and rise through the ranks. A few traits include: I. #ManagingRelationships: How do you relate with your colleagues, regardless of their status or skill level? Sometimes, HOW you make your point when working with a teammate, matters more than the point itself. 💡 #ReadThatAgain👆🏼 II. #OwnershipInTeamwork: When every link “takes ownership”, the entire chain can take on ANY load! #Selah👆🏼 III. #Empathy: Reminding yourself that you're working with HUMANS, not robots/machines, goes a long way in resolving misunderstandings (which are bound to happen). Please free to add whatever I missed in the comments below; 🤗 Oh! The video is a throwback to when my team and I did a thing for MTN Nigeria mPulse Spelling Competition 2024! ✌️🏼 It was amazing seeing hours of work impact the next generation of leaders and transformative agents! Here’s to bigger milestones ahead! ✊🏼

“ONE MAN” CAN CHANGE IT 🥇🥇 “I don’t want to work in a one-man business” 😡. “I never wanted to work in a one man business” 😡. The above comments are often heard, while having conversations around career issues at different fora. Even some unemployed graduates, freshly out of school have told me they do not want to work in a “One-Man Business". The corporate terminology is also “Owner Managed Business”. Please just note that either way - the acronym is “OMB” ☺️. From my current location - Nigeria 🇳🇬 - I am aware of multiple valid reasons why employees may avoid working in a “One Man Business”. Ranging from corporate governance issues, underfunding, lack of corporate structures, bad culture, poor pay, capacity issues, etc. According to the World Economic Forum - "SMEs/(OMB's) are the backbone of the global economy, creating close to 70% of jobs and GDP worldwide". Hence, the stark reality is that a higher majority of employees will inadvertently end up with an OMB. Even those whom have japa will tell you this!😉 Till date, I owe my growth, grit and emotional intelligence to the foundations I got from an OMB in Nigeria. I had my good days ☺and I had my bad days 😟, but my life was still positively transformed 🚀🚀🥳🥳 I am aware that hundred’s of OMB’s are still growing their business, building a great culture and supporting their employees 🏆🏆 . Below is a video from Certification Edge and the event is another testament of how OMB’s blessed with inspirational leadership can spread positive impact to their employees. Thank you Ajibola Bamidele GPHR, SPHRi, PMP, PBA, RMP, SHRM-SCP, CBAP, ACP for walking the talk about talent management and performance management. For my followers outside Nigeria, who may be wondering why the lady was kneeling down - note that in parts of Nigeria, kneeling down in is a gesture to express appreciation. You may, also check Meta AI to learn more about the cultural nuance of kneeling down in Nigeria. Today, wherever you are employed – OMB or otherwise – make sure you focus on creating visible value. You will win 💯. #employees #business #leadership

LISTEN, PLEASE! This wasn't my initial thought for today's post, but I feel someone needs to hear this. Vision, Zeal and Achievement are the three key elements that lead to success. Consider successful individuals like Bill Gates, or closer to home in Nigeria, Dangote. We recognize them as successful, but the truth is that all these successful people had visions, and they didn't stop there—they got zealous enough to achieve them. However, my message goes beyond that... The rich get richer because they take steps toward realizing their visions. The poor, on the other hand, are often hindered by the limited amounts in their pockets, thinking, "If I had the money, I could be this or that." I've been in this situation many times, and I’m not sure if I’m just about to get out of it. So when this thought came to me, I knew I had to share it, not just for myself, but for someone out there who needs to listen. It's not enough to have a vision, once you see the vision, you must have the zeal and believe you can achieve it, no matter the difficulties. Money is often seen as a barrier, but it's essential to understand that you don’t always need money to start. Visions can be achieved with zeal, and provisions will come when you demonstrate that you are truly committed to achieving your goals as if they are the only things that matter to you in life. Take a step today. I will too. I have big visions, and they must be achieved. They must! #achieve #achievement #zeal #vision #growth #motivation #billgates

Three things that stood out for me over the past 12 months: 1. Keep Moving One key lesson I carried into my role as CEO—gleaned from running my own small businesses and learning from senior management at SEVN Ghana Ltd. , Kowri —is the importance of agility. The ability to adapt quickly has been invaluable. While transitioning to a new industry presented its challenges, my team and I embraced the need to be agile. This meant making bold decisions, rescinding them when necessary, and operating as a lean, efficient team. 2. Being a Young Female Leader is a Double-Edged Sword As a young woman in leadership, I’ve experienced both admiration and resistance, depending on whom I’ve interacted with along the value chain. Some people celebrate the courage it takes to lead and challenge the status quo; others question it. Navigating these perceptions has been a balancing act, but it has reinforced my resolve to lead with authenticity and confidence. 3. Get the Right Team in Your Inner Circle Your inner circle can make all the difference. Leadership is hard and often isolating, but having the right management team transforms the journey. They share in your struggles and triumphs. On days when I felt overwhelmed by the weight of decisions needed to move the business forward, my team found ways to lighten the mood—whether with a funny comment or a spontaneous outing. Their support has been invaluable. #women #youngfemaleCEO #engineering #africa

As we navigate our careers and personal lives, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily routines. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself, "Who am I, really?" or "What truly fulfills me?" Discovering your true self is the best activity you will ever do for yourself, now and for the future that is to come. It's the key to unlocking your authentic purpose, passion, and potential. In today's fast-paced world, it's crucial to take a step back, reflect, and reconnect with your inner self. Ask yourself: - What are my values and strengths? - What makes me tick? - What impact do I want to make in the world? Take the time to explore your answers and embark on a journey of self-discovery. You'll be amazed at the clarity, confidence, and fulfillment that follows. Let's prioritize our personal growth and well-being, Nigeria! Let's unlock our true potential and make a meaningful impact in our communities and industries. #SelfDiscovery #PersonalGrowth #CareerGrowth #Nigeria #Leadership #Purpose #Fulfillment #Authenticity #PotentialUnlocked

Unlocking the potentials In Nigeria As my sister tuned in to Channels Television to join the live conversation on The Platform Nigeria hosted by the founder and senior pastor of The Covenant Nation (TCN) an event centered on nation building, I paid keen attention to the first two speakers because the past events have helped intensified the passion I have developed towards making significant impacts as a citizen to my country’s growth, and shaping the foundation of the leadership skills I have acquired. Kola Adesina, MFR, FNSE shared very insightful views that I will be adopting and I noted them in my journal: • Build an intellectual and provocative perspective even in a challenging or negative environment and this will birth great ideas and innovations • Build a growth mindset, harness your talent and multiply value (those who multiply value become billionaires) • For you to make gain, you need to first solve a customers pain (every customer is ready to pay you for replacing their pains with value • Integrity is vital in any business: integrity is not something you document, it is portrayed. • Preparedness, adaptiveness and gaining knowledge is fundamental (knowledge is inexhaustible therefore, we need to lean on one another to grow). To sum it up, when considering businesses to venture into in this age, ensure to acquire digital skills, this is a skill set that help you showcase any local skill or abilities without limitations. Thankfully, businesses to consider were also shared which you can watch on YouTube, kindly find link attached below👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/dtD9wfbx

I came across this picture recently: a young man at the MM Airport, Nigeria, with the caption “𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹.” It made me pause and reflect. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴? For me, it brings to mind something I deeply believe: every challenge presents an opportunity. Yes, Nigeria has its challenges—no denying that—but it’s also a land where many people are thriving, innovating, and building remarkable success stories. I’m not saying you shouldn’t explore life beyond these shores. Travel, see the world, chase your dreams—but do it with a mindset of seeking opportunities, not just running from difficulties. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: if you see only obstacles where you are, chances are, you’ll see the same elsewhere. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦? 𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦? Let’s shift our mindset. Sometimes, the greatest growth comes from the very challenges we’re so eager to escape. Peace! #OpportunityInChallenges #MindsetMatters #GrowthMindset #Nigeria #Leadership