#038
How are you doing?
Today, I’d be sharing 10 career lessons from a friend and former colleague, Funso Okejimi
In a career spanning over 15 years, Funso has worked for leading companies from Volvo, and Alfa Laval (both in Sweden) to FirstBank of Nigeria, Wema Bank, Interswitch, and many others.
Last week, he shared these career lessons and I hope you find them helpful.
If you’re new here, you can read past issues here.
Here are his top 10 career lessons over the years…
Nothing is guaranteed- while working for a Nigerian bank around 2008/2009, Funso was promoted and then demoted (put more mildly, the promotion was canceled as a result of the Nigerian banking crisis of that time)
“I will never again be lured by false future promises”
While the promise of a rosy future is alluring, nobody knows tomorrow.
Set a maximum tenor for each employer- according to Funso, he sets a maximum of 1.5 to 2 years for each of his employers.
Why?
(i) It keeps him on his toes and gives him a steep learning curve each time he moves. (ii) Several research has also shown that those who move regularly earn about 50% more than those who don’t move throughout their career.
True to his words, Funso has averaged roughly 2 years per employer.
Leave as soon as you make up your mind- you know how you sacrifice your life for your employer but don’t get appreciated (promotion, salary increase, more flexible time, corner office, foreign training, etc)? Then the moment you tender your resignation, they try to convince you to stay by offering/promising you heaven and earth.
If you stay back, there’d be a mark on your back. I won’t explain this last sentence.
Your career is in your hands- should you stay with your current employer or leave? Should you move to an entirely new industry? should you move for more money but lower influence?
Stuff like these are decisions no one can make for you.
It’s your career, after all.
Opportunity will come- missed an opportunity to make a good career move?
“[Another] opportunity will come, it always comes… let it meet you prepared!”
There is no point crying over spilled milk.
Prioritize Self-development- besides the technical skills, learn “soft skills and tools” because it makes you versatile and gives you that needed advantage.
According to Funso, his “soft tool” was Microsoft Excel and it made him a more valuable member of any manager/team
Don’t compare your career with anyone else’s- people have different career goals, and many paths lead to the peak. You should only compete with yourself (you last month vs you now… you last year vs you this year… etc)
Run your race.
You need luck- plan and work hard but “pray always to your diety, whichever you believe in for favor and grace to have good humans as bosses and colleagues”
“I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all” ~ Ecclesiastes 9:11 (The Holy Bible)
Do the work- do the work and stay calm. You will, definitely, grow and reach the top with persistence and determination.
“Do not compare your 5-year-old career to someone doing his 25th”
On the other side of fear lies great success- “look well but do not be afraid to take the leap”
Thinking of changing jobs? industry? look well but do not be afraid to leap.
What career decisions have been paralyzing you?
“Just Do It” ~ Nike.
Thank you, FO for sharing!
Until Next Week,
Azodo.
These are very priceless career lessons. Thank you to you both for sharing.
"...but time and chance happen to them all".
Do the work, stay calm and wait for your own time. Thank you, Azodo.