The Iron That Bears the Heaviest Burden: A Reflection.

I recently confided in a senior colleague, who is also a friend and mentor, about the challenges and ordeals I've faced since taking on my new role in January. As I poured out my frustrations, he listened quietly, his expression unchanged. Concerned that I might be boring him, I paused and asked if that was the case. He shook his head and replied, "No, you're not boring me. But instead of giving you advice, I'll tell you a story about my friend Tunde. From there, you can draw your own conclusions.

He started with a saying in the world of blacksmiths: "The iron that must bear the heaviest burden must endure the most rigorous tempering." It’s one of those timeless truths that is deeper than its literal meaning, offering a deep reflection on life, leadership, and the journey we all undertake to fulfill our potential.

Years ago, my friend named Tunde had a dream. Born into a modest family in a small town in Oyo, Tunde always envisioned a life beyond the constraints of his circumstances. He wasn't the smartest kid in school, nor was he the most privileged, but he had something that many of his peers lacked—an unshakeable belief in his ability to create something meaningful.

Tunde’s first venture after graduation from Unilag was a small logistics company. It was nothing glamorous— just a couple of bikes and a few drivers making deliveries around town. But for Tunde, it was a start. He poured everything into that business—time, energy, and every naira he could scrape together. For a while, things seemed to be going well. His company was growing, and with it, his dreams.

Then came the first blow. A foreign-backed competitor entered the market, undercutting his prices and snatching away his clients. Tunde found himself losing ground rapidly. The business that once held so much promise was now teetering on the edge of collapse. And then, almost inevitably, it did.

Tunde was crushed. His first real attempt at building something had failed spectacularly. He had lost not just his money, but also his confidence. Friends and family began to question his choices, gently suggesting that perhaps entrepreneurship wasn’t for him. But deep down, Tunde knew that failure was not the end of his story. It was just part of the process.

You see, the iron was beginning to be tempered.

Instead of giving up, Tunde took a step back and reevaluated his approach. He realized that he had been focusing too much on immediate success, without preparing himself for the inevitable challenges. So, he started learning—really learning. He read books on business strategy, sought out mentors who had weathered their own storms, and reflected on the mistakes he had made.

It wasn’t long before Tunde was ready to try again, this time armed with the wisdom of his previous failures. He launched a digital marketing agency—a venture that played to his strengths in creativity and communication. It was a slow start, but this time, Tunde was prepared for the setbacks. He knew that the road to success was not a straight path but a winding journey full of obstacles designed to test and temper his resolve.

Over time, the agency began to grow. Tunde landed a few small clients, and then a few larger ones. Each new contract was a victory, not just because it brought in revenue, but because it validated the lessons he had learned. But just as things were starting to look up, another challenge emerged. A critical campaign for a high-profile client fell flat, threatening to tarnish his fledgling company’s reputation.

This was another moment of tempering. But instead of panicking, Tunde gathered his team and got to work. They dissected every aspect of the campaign, identifying what had gone wrong and how they could fix it. And they did. The revised campaign not only saved the client but also won the agency an award for creative excellence.

Through it all, Tunde came to understand that the most successful people aren’t the ones who avoid failure, but the ones who learn to endure it. The iron that bears the heaviest burden must endure the most rigorous tempering. Each challenge, each setback, was a part of his tempering process, shaping him into the leader he needed to be.

Years later, Tunde’s agency is now one of the most respected in the industry, known not just for its innovative campaigns but for its resilience and adaptability. Tunde himself became a sought-after speaker, sharing his story with aspiring entrepreneurs. He would often remind them that the road to success is paved with failure and that the true test of a person’s strength lies in their ability to endure and grow from these trials.

He concluded with, these words; so, the next time you find yourself in the fire, remember that you are being shaped for a purpose. The iron that must bear the heaviest burden must endure the most rigorous tempering. Embrace the process, learn from it, and trust that it is preparing you for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The tempering process is not easy, and it’s often painful, but it is through this process that we become capable of bearing the weight of our dreams and ambitions.

You will be fine, Chuma.