SQUARE PEGS DON'T FIT IN ROUND HOLES

"Ifeanyi! Ifeanyi! Oga Rasheed dey come! Ifeanyi!" Opeyemi put his hand on his head. His friend was lost! For the 3rd time this week. This time it took a little more than shouting. Ope had to pinch him. "Guy! I don tell you before, make you dey go storeroom for break time" Ope went on and on ranting how he always had to be the one to cover up.

Ifeanyi was a spoken word guru and he was really good at what he did but at work, he almost always felt like a square peg in a round hole. Like a sore thumb that stuck out. He placed his face in his palms, leaning in and heaving a sigh. His role paid him well but what was the point of feeling boxed and caged?

"Ifeanyi! You're at it again! Oh my goodness. What do we do about your case now?" Mr Rasheed yelled. He stood there tapping his feet like an impatient market woman waiting for her debtor to pay her.

"See me in my office by 3 pm sharp. You hear me, young man?!"

"Yyyyeess...Ssirr" Ifeanyi stammered a response.

Mr Rasheed had contacted the manager of the innovation team, they were in charge of advertisements and Jingles. Perhaps Ifeanyi would do better there, he wondered.

A lot of us may be like Ifeanyi, not too sure where to fit in. In this part of the world, we have been taught and raised to believe only in the power of education, without being properly balanced. The importance of creativity within the workspace cannot be overemphasised. Just as various colours and people's preferences to each are celebrated, in the same way, individual differences should be celebrated. It wouldn't be nice if everything were in black and white now, would it? Certainly not.

People, personality differences and blends bring colour and perspective to the space we all find ourselves in. Ifeanyi thrived better in that space of innovation where he could team up with like-minded people and grow, adding even more value to the organisation.

Team leaders and members can work together. We are first creative beings before we are managers, team leads and CEOs' and people function and deliver better when their strengths are put forward either by them or others that recognise potential.

To get more results in the workplace; innovation, efficiency and results, people have to be in places where they thrive rather than struggle. Especially Post-COVID we have to match people with roles where they can function at their best. Every man that remains on the team must be playing at their vantage position. Remember that square pegs won't fit in round roles.

Kemi Ogunkoya is a Leadership Transitioning & Executive Onboarding Strategist. She is an advocate of youth and women empowerment. Asides work, Kemi loves spending quality time with her family and loves to play tennis. Follow Kemi on Instagram @kemi.ogunkoya and join The PowerWoman Network  (Women Only) to join a new tribe of women disruptors.