Executing Excellently: What We Learned From Babajide Duroshola

Excellence is not about perfection. It’s about showing up when it matters most, especially in the face of challenges.?

This was central to Babajide Duroshola 's speech at the Builders Summit 2024. He shared practical insights on executing excellently, breaking down what it means to truly deliver results.??

Here’s a deeper dive into the lessons he shared.??

1. Sweat the Details??

Execution begins with focusing on the smallest components of a problem. Breaking things down into manageable pieces reduces overwhelm and makes solutions more achievable. Babajide described this as treating each task like a puzzle: each piece fits into a bigger picture, and every detail matters. By concentrating on these small details, you create a foundation for achieving significant outcomes.?

Excellence thrives when you care enough to dig deeper and take each step seriously.??        

2. Taking Ownership??

Ownership is the cornerstone of excellent execution. It’s about delivering results as if the outcome is personally yours, even when it isn’t.??

In today’s social media-driven world, phrases like “I don’t dream of labour” have made the idea of taking responsibility seem outdated. However, professional settings demand ownership. True ownership involves taking responsibility for outcomes, proposing solutions instead of simply pointing out problems, and accepting accountability for mistakes.??

When you own your work, you build trust and demonstrate that you’re invested in the result.?        

3. Embracing “Boring” Tasks??

Babajide shared his first job experience, which involved data entry and collecting business cards (you should watch the full video because this part is one of my favourites). While these tasks may seem unremarkable, they were critical in shaping his approach to work. He learnt a lot about paying attention to details and networking and these skills have remained essential throughout his career.??

Often, boring or repetitive tasks lay the groundwork for future success. These small, unglamorous tasks move the needle forward, forming the foundation of great companies and personal growth.??

4. Growth in Challenging Environments??

Toxic workplaces can make execution difficult, but Babajide emphasized the importance of focusing on personal growth in such settings. He suggested using tough environments as an opportunity to build resilience and learn new skills.??

Even when the culture cannot be changed, individuals can grow by treating challenges as learning opportunities. When it’s time to move on, they leave stronger and better equipped for future roles.

Excellence in execution is achievable for anyone willing to show up consistently, focus on details, and take ownership of their work. While perfection may be unattainable, showing up with intention and effort creates real results.?

The key is to start, keep moving forward, and trust that the outcomes will follow.??

The question is not whether you can execute excellently. The question is: are you ready to show up when it matters most???

I’m sure you found this helpful. Now imagine the insights waiting for you in the full video.