A Decade After

Monday, June 10^th, 2013, I walked into that little office at 114 Broad Street, Lagos Island, fresh from the Unity Bank Plc training school in Kano. I was uncertain of what the future holds ahead, all I knew was that I was tired of staying at home and I was desperately in need of a break.

Today June 10, 2023, makes it 10 years and I trust me, the journey has not been how I planned or envisaged it to be, in fact, it is safe to say that it has been the exact opposite. Where do I even begin?

That is not the purpose of today’s writing however, I do not intend to bore you or take too much of your time as I am aware you’re watching the Grand Finale football match of Football’s greatest season, the UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul Turkey, so I’ll make it quick.

A lot of lessons were learned along the way, some were learned with some very harsh consequences, some lessons are still hurting to this day whilst some have helped me make better career decisions, others have made me less daring than I would usually be, some have made me take decisions in the exact opposite direction of what people would have expected the typical me to take, in all, it has made me become the John Fadejola that I am today.

A decade after, am I there yet? Hell No! But am I where I used to be? Of course Not! Which only means one thing, PROGRESS!!! Whatever way you choose to look at it, it can only get better from here.

That being said, there are 10 career lessons I have learned along the way over the last decade that I’d like to share…

• Continuous Learning:

No matter which industry I’ve found myself in over the last decade, I have constantly prioritized learning and growth. Someone said curiosity comes to mind whenever my name is mentioned, I make a conscious effort to seek out new knowledge and I’m open to different perspectives. This has helped me adapt to changing circumstances and stay ahead in my career. Don’t stop learning.

• Networking:

 Networking is crucial for career advancement. However, I didn’t get on with it early enough, I am glad nonetheless that I’ve been able to connect with professionals from different industries, attended industry and non-industry-related events, and joined professional organizations. I’ve built relationships with mentors who provided and still providing guidance and support throughout. Your next deal might just be a dinner away.

• Building Skills:

At a particular point in my career, I took a deliberate effort to take courses outside my current job role. Focusing on acquiring transferable skills has greatly helped me despite each industry having its specific requirements, focusing on developing transferable skills made me valuable across sectors.

Skills like communication, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability will serve you well, no matter where your career takes you.

• Risk Taking:

Mhen! I took risks, some calculated, others well let’s just say I learned my lessons, but one lesson that this has taught is that you’ll never know what’s on the other if you don’t make a move. It’s okay to be scared, it’s even okay to try and fail, what’s not okay is to not try at all. Don\’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and take on challenging projects or roles. Embracing risks and pushing myself beyond my limits has led to valuable growth opportunities and helped me discover new passions and strengths.

• Embrace Change:

Change they say is the only constant thing in life. Industries constantly evolve, and adaptability is crucial for success. One thing that has helped so far despite the varying industries I’ve found myself in is my ability to adapt quickly. Embracing change, being open to new technologies and methodologies, and continuously upgrading my skills has helped me stay relevant in the ever-changing job market.

• Strong Work Ethic

Hard work and dedication are essential ingredients for success in any industry. Being reliable, meeting deadlines, and going the extra mile in delivering my work have been a part of me for the last 10 years. A strong work ethic will not only help you excel in your current role but also set you apart from your peers.

• Work-Life Balance:

This is one area I didn’t particularly pay attention to at first until it dawned on me that I had missed out a lot on vital dates and events with friends and family. I had given up all my personal goals and dreams and it took a rude reality check to jolt me back to life.

As you navigate your career, don\’t neglect your personal life. Strive for a healthy work-life balance that allows you to recharge, pursue hobbies, and spend time with loved ones. Taking care of your well-being will ultimately make you more productive and fulfilled in your professional life.

• Diverse Experiences:

A look at my career path over the last decade, one would think it is one without purpose or direction. But a more critical look would give you the insight that my experience being diverse has given me an advantage of experiencing varying industry trends and cultures and of course acquiring skills that cut across. It’s safe to say I was a journeyman. It’s okay to gain diverse experience especially if you’re unsure of which industry or niche you belong. Don\’t limit yourself to one industry or job role. Seek out diverse experiences that expose you to different perspectives and skills. This will broaden your horizons, make you more adaptable, and enhance your problem-solving abilities.

• Passion and Purpose

They said the best job is doing what you love and getting paid for it, well the bitter truth is that you might not get what you love at first. There were detours for me, but finding my passion and purpose along the way helped me stay focused and I was able to pick the lessons each job and industry had to offer in the actualization of my purpose and finding my passion. It made my career choices simpler.

Take time to reflect on what truly motivates and excites you. Identify your passions and align your career choices with them. When you find work that aligns with your purpose, you\’ll have the drive and motivation to excel and make a meaningful impact.

• Failure is Key:

Yea, I’m not mistaken, failure is a part of any journey, and trust me I have had my fair share of failures on the job and even in my personal life. What\’s important about these failures is that I was able to embrace each one as an opportunity for growth.

Learn from your mistakes, be resilient, and use setbacks as stepping stones to future success. Remember, success is often built on a series of failures and lessons learned.

Finally, over the last decade on my career path, I have been blessed with amazing humans, and this story today won’t be complete without mentioning a few names;

First off let me appreciate this beautiful human, Ayodeji ‘Escero’ Akinwande, that warm smile as that naïve guy walked into the banking hall gave me all the confidence I needed, subsequent tutelage, guidance, and friendship over the last 10 years are really appreciated.

I have been privileged to work under the supervision of some bosses where I have learned a lot along my journey. Madam Patricia Brisibe, Ovie Kelly, Taofeek Adegoke, Richard Daodu, Harry Onipede, Leke Saka, Aderonke Olatoye, Nara Ozim, Daniel Emeka, Adewale Oshinaike, Bolu Apata. I’m grateful for sharing your wealth of knowledge with me over the last 10 years.

Cheers to many more years of unlearning Learning and relearning and doing amazing stuff, it can only get better from here. Watch out for me in the coming weeks as God is not done yet.

-John Fadejola