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In my experience in corporate Nigeria, I have few tips/reminders for myself.
I’ll be updating whenever I have new experiences or I remember.
THREAD.
I’ll be updating whenever I have new experiences or I remember.
THREAD.
1. You are not working for God. There is no imaginary being seeing you.
Always keep your direct reports in the loop.
Could even make your work easier....
Always keep your direct reports in the loop.
Could even make your work easier....
.... in addition, most appraisal models only cover a fraction of your input. Perception is key.
2. You do not have to be a ‘Yes man’. You would not command enough respect and consideration when push comes to shove.
But also, as a caveat; if you are challenging authority, do so with accurate justification and wisdom.
But also, as a caveat; if you are challenging authority, do so with accurate justification and wisdom.
3. Do not be too nice. You are not hurting their feelings, you are doing your job.
4. Focus on your deliverables. Most other tasks do not matter enough.
5. Always remember there is no loyalty anywhere. The company would bin you if they find someone better.
Develop yourself.
Yes. Seek greener pastures.
Develop yourself.
Yes. Seek greener pastures.
6. Manage expectations. There is something like over delivering.
If the job requires your 50, don’t put in your 100 if you cannot maintain it efficiently. Unless of course it amounts tremendously to your personal development....
If the job requires your 50, don’t put in your 100 if you cannot maintain it efficiently. Unless of course it amounts tremendously to your personal development....
.... else, you would set the bar too high for yourself. Could be disastrous when you ease your foot off the pedal a bit.
7. Be intentional about your health (mentally and whatnot).
Take care of yourself.
Take some time out to spoil yourself. YOLO
Take care of yourself.
Take some time out to spoil yourself. YOLO
8. This should probably have come earlier. But yes, perception is key.
Manage your image with people. Yes you can control that. Generally have a positive attitude.
Manage your image with people. Yes you can control that. Generally have a positive attitude.
9. Get feedback from your direct reports.
Ask for it, ask how you could be better. And actually put in effort to do those things.
Most times, that’s what would matter in your appraisal. Can set you differently.
Ask for it, ask how you could be better. And actually put in effort to do those things.
Most times, that’s what would matter in your appraisal. Can set you differently.
10. Document your achievements, positive feedback, your tasks completed, milestones, and many other tangible things you do.
Don’t just work on vibes and inshallah....
Don’t just work on vibes and inshallah....
... you could be working hard and a superior would jokingly ask “what have you even done”.. would be catastrophic if you start stuttering.
So yes. Document
So yes. Document
11. Be very efficient.
Don’t spend too much time on tasks that are not of a high priority.
Don’t spend too much time on tasks that are not of a high priority.
12. Omo, respect people. Depends on your work culture. But if you have to use the Sir/Ma, use it please.
This is Nigeria.
But yeah, respect is not just salutations. In my opinion, respect is really just regarding people.
This is Nigeria.
But yeah, respect is not just salutations. In my opinion, respect is really just regarding people.
13. Be good at your job. Ensure you meet deadlines, and also, renegotiate deadlines early (with grace period) when you realize you cannot meet them.
Do so with justification please....
Do so with justification please....
... And yes, if you say you would complete something in 1 week, and you finish in a day.. just hold it till the deadline.
Be smart
Maintain your bar.
You could turn it in a day before the deadline though.
Be smart
Maintain your bar.
You could turn it in a day before the deadline though.
14. Have a notepad around. Write out information as much as possible. Help your brain out.
15. Carve out a daily to do list.
Helps you focus, and gives the positive feeling of accomplishment after completion of a task. It helps for stress too....
Helps you focus, and gives the positive feeling of accomplishment after completion of a task. It helps for stress too....
... most days, without a to do list, you’d just be working aimlessly. Stress unnecessarily.
Plus someone could see you idle and dump a redundant task on you.
Plus someone could see you idle and dump a redundant task on you.
16. Be ready to help people. Not “do their job for them”. But assist people.
It’ll build a better brand for yourself and also a positive work relationship.
It’ll build a better brand for yourself and also a positive work relationship.
