THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT SKILL

When I used to teach Strategic Management at a Banking Academy, one of the topics we discussed in detail is the importance of businesses staying through to their reason for being in business. Their WHY!

A business does not become hugely successful or sustainable by jumping at everything that is happening in the market. Staying true to the DNA of the business is critical to the long-term existence rather than just short-term profit.

The American multinational technology company known as Nvidia is a great example of staying consistent to their WHY. For more than 30 years, scientists, researchers, developers, and creators have been using NVIDIA technology to do amazing things. More than 4 million developers now create thousands of applications for accelerated computing. More than 40,000 companies use NVIDIA AI technologies, with 15,000 global startups in NVIDIA Inception. They have stayed true to themselves. And that is the most important skill to master in the market.

There are companies who use the financial opportunity provided by divestment to leave a business that might not be in line with their original vision or reason for being in the market. Indeed, it can be daunting not to be distracted by market dynamics and forces, sometimes it is the fear of missing out - FOMO, it can sometimes be that an opportunity was seen to cash out quickly on a market trend, or just sheer losing focus for a bit.

We see the recent 100% divestment of First Bank of Nigeria stake in FBNQuest Merchant Bank, their reason according to its Company Secretary is that it is part of a broader strategy by FBN Holdings to streamline its portfolio and focus on core businesses with stronger operational potential.

"Streamline its portfolio and focus on its core businesses" was the reason given by First Bank of Nigeria. This further validates my thinking of staying true to the business WHY.

PAUSE

Take a moment to celebrate another call to higher responsibility with me as I am inducted as a member of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Directors today, September 12, 2024.

Authenticity as a Skill and Mindset

On the level of an individual, authenticity is probably the most difficult skill and mindset to develop and to learn. It is usually developed in the most obscure places with sometimes distasteful experiences. Unfortunately, not many people want to associate with where they were coming from.

Many want to quickly dissociate themselves from their past so, they can blend or fit in, so they can claim a new identity.

While that is okay. Sometimes, these type of behaviour can contribute to mental health issues in other people who are under pressure to be relevant which is premised upon the inauthenticity of others. And social media is an enabler of faking it until you make it, few be those that truly make it.

‘Be Yourself’ is a cliché many have heard however, it takes a lot of skills, practice and mastery to be oneself in a world that is seeking to have clones and copies of others. The world is averse to you being different even when you follow their advice to be unique and be yourself. Many are not comfortable with you being yourself, it is either they feel intimidated or threatened that you will steal the spotlight from them.

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We are taking registrations from managers and their organizations for our October 29-30, 2024, cohort of the Leadership Acceleration for Managers Workshop. Very few spots available to allow us to provide undivided attention to each participant. Register Here www.maverickmanager.co or email: [email protected] Discounts available for group registration

3 Quick Tips to Staying True to Self

1. Avoid the trap of comparing yourself against others: as humans we have the proclivity to want to be part of a herd and have company of people that look like us. Which is not a bad idea but the danger ?? is that we are more likely to lose who we are in a crowd. Instead take advantage of the crowd and stand out. Therefore, the work for anyone is to become intentional about maintaining your uniqueness and not lose it to familiarity, proximity and inauthenticity.

2. Develop a very healthy sense of self-worth such that other people's opinions of you should never make you lose sleep: many people need to decouple their minds from their backgrounds and experiences which negatively affected their self-esteem. People with low self-worth are usually bothered with what others are saying, thinking or feeling about them. External validation has become to them an opium, they need a rehabilitation from the impact and effect it has on them.

3. Be intentional about seeking and getting help: otherwise, you might be in for a lifetime of seeking to be enough in the eyes of others and that is an effort in futility. Surround yourself with people who are not intimidated by whatever is happening or not happening in your life, just genuinely building a mutually lasting relationships either with mentors, colleagues and people you are ahead of. Also seek professional help with rebuilding your self-confidence if you feel that your life experiences have eroded that and you acknowledge that it would require rebuilding.

Finally

Individuals and companies can only unlock their fullest capabilities when they learn and master the skill of authenticity in world and market that wants to stampede you into becoming whatever it dictates to you. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF, DEFEND YOUR PURPOSE.

If you or your company is interested in building your authenticity or you just want help with rebuilding your confidence as a person. Then jump on my coaching program, I might just be able to help you navigate that path.