Let's talk about doubts...

For the celebrations of the International Women’s Rights Day last week, we were honored to welcome Mme the Minister of Investment Promotion and a delegation of young women participants of the PEFA and Youth for Youth excellence program in our production facilities. My boss, Mme BAKO, shared her inspiring story with the young ladies.

It was an amazing experience filled with positive conversations and valuable advices from two highly accomplished female senior professionals to the younger generation. Together, we discussed the importance of young women embracing their full potential and overcoming their tendency to self-sabotage. This last bit, deeply resonated with me, as for the longest time I have struggled to really find and own my place in my role.

Living in a community that values age seniority, defending my business during negotiations/discussions with stakeholders in instances when I was often the only female in the room and the youngest one, has always been a challenge for me.

Being a young female Executive in my region of the world, I have encountered numerous instances where people were unwilling to engage with me because of my age and gender. Despite my best efforts to carefully and diplomatically convey my point of view, some partners would remind me of their long experience and that they have children my age any time my position was not aligned with theirs. Thus, I will sometime find myself doubting my abilities. Was I the right fit for my role? Should I really go in this direction? Was I an impostor?

Thankfully I have learnt overtime to surpass these doubts. I understood that my achievements and results were my best advocates. Their reactions were not a reflection of my abilities, but of their insecurities, and to such I learnt to respond with feigned obliviousness.

Luckily, we sometimes meet people, who give us the confidence boost we did not know we needed! Meeting Mr Kuok Khoon Hong (Wilmar International CEO), was something like that for me.

Back in November of last year, when I first met Mr Kuok during a business Trip in Singapore, never did I imagine that it would lead to him visiting our facilities last week; a mere three months later. What was supposed to be a quick 5 min encounter with the busy Singaporean business tycoon turned out to be a good 45 min meeting where various subjects were discussed ranging from family to business. Mr Kuok disarmed me with his straightforwardness and his strong interest in doing business in Africa! But more importantly, he disarmed me with his openness and willingness to talk business with me. He did not express any surprise or any doubt as to my abilities when he met me. He engaged with me. And I happily indulged him. As a result of this encounter, he later decided to visit our facilities in TOGO! Without even meeting my boss!

During his visit, he extended many invaluable advices to us about how to make our Business more sustainable and where to go next. It was a truly insightful and game changing moment!

To all of you out there like me, it is okay to doubt. We all do. But this should not stop you from moving towards your destiny. ?Use this doubt as fuel to empower yourself through constantly updating your skills and honing your abilities every day. Trust yourself more and have confidence in your abilities to accomplish the things you want to do. Remember, your achievements and results are your best advocates.

With Love,

Fa?ka