A Y E N I

Don’t forget!!! – at Abuja, Nigeria

Sales is a tough nut to crack. A referral can save you the saliva, shorten the journey and open doors that endless pitching may never unlock. Sometimes, the shortest route to a sale is a trusted introduction.

Flattery can make you mistake pleasing words for the truth, while blunt honesty can make you mistake the truth-teller for a rude person. Somewhere between the two lies the truth. Yet, we often choose what comforts our ego over what challenges our reality. Never forget: the comfort of the moment is temporary, but the consequences of ignoring the truth may last much longer.

Having people who can call you out for correction is a blessing. What you mistake for independence may simply be the absence of people with enough influence to tell you the truth. By the time you realise it, you may be off the cliff. Never outgrow correction.

“ABC yaaju sí Ọlọ́run” that’s why it never makes it beyond Z. 😂 An interesting street expression, blending Yoruba wit with a clever play on the alphabet. Sometimes street language carries more wisdom than we realise.

The leaders we miss most are often those whose presence we failed to fully appreciate while they were with us. It is only in their absence that we realise the depth of their impact and the value of the moments we once took for granted.

Nothing spoils in His hands. Not the delays, the disappointments, the broken pieces or the unanswered prayers. He knows how to turn what seems lost into something beautiful. Just trust Him with the pieces; He never mishandles what is surrendered to Him.

Leadership also means knowing when to step back. Your constant presence can sometimes disrupt team dynamics. People may guard their vulnerabilities and hold back in certain conversations, regardless of how good a leader you are. Sometimes, withdraw, observe, and let the team score the goals.

Protecting high-value relationships that everyone wants access to is a skill in itself. Otherwise, you risk being discarded like those who came before you. People will guilt-trip you for gatekeeping, but understand this: you are not gatekeeping; you are protecting valuable relationships from abuse.

The science behind an endeavour makes success not only achievable but repeatable and transferable. The art is your native intelligence: the instinct, gut feeling and inner knowing that only you can fully understand. It can create success, but it is difficult to transfer.

When the space becomes completely dark, even the smallest light shines the brightest. Never underestimate the power of your little efforts, kindness, or goodness in a world filled with darkness. Sometimes, all it takes to stand out is to remain a light.

One sign of ingratitude is reminding someone of the alternative you had if they hadn’t helped you. Never say, “I would have flown if you hadn’t given me a ride.” Sometimes, people do this to undermine your efforts or avoid the vulnerability of admitting they needed help. It’s an ugly form of ingratitude. Be humble enough to acknowledge the help you received.

It’s not as difficult as your mind makes it feel. The moment you take action, the weight of hesitation begins to disappear. Start small. Execute in phases. Keep moving. Before you know it, the dream you once thought was impossible becomes your reality.

We are so focused on making it that we forget the little habits that build wealth. We chase the big break while ignoring the discipline of saving a little from every dime that comes in. The sun doesn’t appear all at once. It takes small shifts in light before the world is fully illuminated. Wealth is often built the same way.

As election season approaches, you may have more at stake losing friends over divergent political views than you realise. Hold your opinions firmly where you believe you must, but hold your friends even tighter. Elections will come and go, but the emotional damage may never heal the same way. The elasticity of our emotions will be tested. Be careful what you stretch until it breaks.

As a young man, I guarded my idea so fiercely that we demanded “stupid NDAs.” An investor asked what I was offering; I said 6–7%. Today, my idea is still somewhere, while he’s a billionaire, investing in companies, two now unicorns. Don’t be arrogant with an idea. It’s not that special. MOVE!

As a young man, I guarded my idea so fiercely that we demanded “stupid NDAs.” An investor asked what I was offering; I said 6–7%. Today, my idea is still somewhere, while he’s a billionaire, investing in companies, two now unicorns. Don’t be arrogant with an idea. It’s not that special. MOVE!

Let God cook!!! You’ve prayed. You’ve planted. You’ve done your part. Now trust the process, even when you can’t see what He’s doing. God doesn’t need your panic to fulfil His purpose. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step back and let Him work. No interference. No panic. Let God cook!

Everyone nodding at your idea may be validating how easy it is to enter. But when an idea makes smart people uncomfortable, fewer may pursue it. Airbnb strangers living in your home and Uber,strangers driving you for a fee,once sounded crazy. Sometimes, the real moat is the lack of validation.

Second pioneers are often the most dangerous breakout players. They learn from the first movers’ mistakes, study what works, and build on proven foundations. There’s a powerful advantage in coming second if you know what to learn, what to leverage, and what to do differently.

The genius of product design and launch lies in building a model that is difficult to replicate. Anyone can copy your product, but if your underlying structure, systems, and execution are hard to duplicate, you have a competitive advantage. Build what they can see. Protect what makes it work.