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Sam Adeleke

@sam.adeleke

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The One Whom Jesus Loves @hillsonglagos
ceo @twsglobalconsulting
cofounder @insightsandstats
chief explorer @travelwithsamglobal

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#15DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ When I stood before God and my loved ones at Civic Centre’s Waterfront on November 4 that year, I gave my word. And today, I still do lol. Here’s the text of my love letter to my bride on our wedding day 36 months ago…

Esther, you’re my dream come true. You’re God’s best compensation for all I’ve been through in this Lagos. I searched all over, couldn’t find nobody. I looked high and low, still couldn’t find nobody… until I found you.

You’re a walking definition of answered prayers. I wasn’t the only one praying for God’s perfect will for my life. My mom did. Even my dad. And my siblings. Even my church Hillsong Lagos. And especially my colleagues at work then (RIL & theBUNKer) - simply because I had been decorated Chairman of the Everlasting Singles Association lol

But Mercy said No.

Esther Abosede Oluwabukola Abraham, I am grateful for the gift of you. I am thankful for your salvation, your faith in Jesus, your prayerfulness, your friendship, kindness, patience, understanding, authenticity, your belief in me, your trust in me, and your decision to spend the rest of your life with me.

This is going to be an amazing adventure, Esther. Till the ends of the earth, I’ll always love you. And even when we get to heaven, I’ll choose you over and over again!

Happy 3rd Wedding Anniversary, My Love 🤗

#SamAndEstherForever
#CountdownTo40
#OneDayAtATime
#YouDeserveTheBest by @sam.adeleke

#16DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ “Sam, I’m really considering quitting my job to go fully into entrepreneurship. What do you think?”

That freedom you’re looking for isn’t free as you think. As an Entrepreneur, you are simply exchanging salary security for more responsibility. You are trading a defined job description for uncertainty. And you are replacing someone else’s targets with personal accountability.

So, it’s a mixed bag and you’ll discover very quickly whether you actually know how to manage yourself or not. As an entrepreneur, there is no boss or colleague to blame this time around. No clock to hide behind; and no promotion cycle to wait for.

Now that you are the Oga, you have to create. You have to learn how to consistently sell, deliver, learn, adapt to market realities and stay abreast of trends. It’s a demanding experience… but rewarding as well.

You see, there is something beautiful about building a business. You get to see an idea become real. You get to choose the people you build with. You get to decide what problems are worth solving. And you get to discover capacities you never knew you had.

Having said that, if you have a job right now in this economy, I’ll advise you stick to it and don’t be in a hurry to resign. There’s no latecomer on this journey. Be an ‘intrapreneur’ first, before trying to be an entrepreneur. Bid your time. Many have resigned, tried entrepreneurship and gone back to look for a job. So it’s not for everyone tbh. But I personally have a lot of respect those that made the effort.

As long as there’s no conflict of interest with your employer’s business, try your hands on that idea outside work hours. Read widely and do a lot of research. You need to know how money works. Find mentors and role models you admire in that space; then build relationships. Replicate existing successful models for a start, and then build your niche gradually. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

For me, I am still learning, still building, still making mistakes and still refining my craft. But I wouldn’t trade the entrepreneurship journey for anything. Indeed, “the price of greatness is responsibility”. by @sam.adeleke

#17DaysTo40 “Sam, what’s your candid counsel for someone to trying to standout from their contemporaries at the workplace?”

Regardless of your portfolio, you need to cultivate a reputation for punctuality, reliability, integrity and a high standard of professionalism and workmanship. If you want to move up the ladder quickly, you need to demonstrate your capacity to acquire and retain profitable long-term customers for the firm. Working in Ops or back-end isn’t an excuse. You have to find your way to the front of the customer to standout.

And it’s more than bagging one-off transactions just to meet your monthly KPIs. It’s about having an ‘ALL IN’ attitude which translates into long-term relationships with your clients. This has to generate repeat business and consistent referrals - which will be noticed by decision makers. You’re now an ‘intra-preneur’ not just an employee. Companies that are built to last think of decades when planning; so your business language from reflect that philosophy.

A healthy lifestyle is non-negotiable if you want to get ahead. If you don't have good health, you don't have anything. If you have good health, you have everything. Even if you have a record for smashing targets, your sun starts to set when you start using declining health as an excuse for low productivity.

In the end, the board will make a business decision. They’re not your family members. Even if you’re fortunate to work in an empathetic firm, they might keep you on and pay you for months - if it’s an extreme case of being completely incapacitated. But ultimately, your final day will come, so prepare ahead. If you’re not sure what obtains at your place, ask around; do not assume. So take care of yourself, safety first, and stay healthy.

Finally, be that employee that grooms others for success. You can’t get ahead if you're only running a solo race to the top. Serious organizations mostly promote folks that can replicate themselves, and can build teams that deliver at scale. If you choose to remain the only superstar on the team, you’re a HR hazard. And you're a threat to the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in the event of a crisis. by @sam.adeleke

#18DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ You should know this… that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.

They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

#2Timothy3v1to5
#CountdownTo40
#SamAdelekeAt40
#OneDayAtATime by @sam.adeleke

#19DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ Exactly 4 years ago today, a mutual friend posted her picture on her birthday. I liked what I saw on that WhatsApp status. So I asked for her contact. And thankfully, she was kind to me. One conversation led to another… and I knew it was time to see her in-person. I picked her up that evening after work for our first hangout at the beach. It was a refreshing date.

We aligned on faith, values, family, career, and our future plans. The more we talked, the more I realized that this was the beginning of a lifetime adventure. The following October 31 was our court wedding lol.

So today is a double whammy celebration for us: my wife’s birthday and the anniversary of our civil union. As you can see, we are very intentional people lol.

Looking back, it’s obvious that life-changing moments can simply arrive wearing very ordinary clothes; they don’t have to begin with some grand cinematic event. May you be open, flexible, humble and calm enough to recognize them.

In the end, the right relationship isn’t merely about finding someone you love. It is about finding someone with whom your values, faith and vision can build a life worth living. Indeed, “love is not merely looking at each other; it is looking in the same direction.”

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer... Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 NLT

#EstherAdelekeAt32
#countdownto40
#onedayatatime
#LiveIntentionally by @sam.adeleke

#20DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ Dear 20-year-old Sam, First of all… breathe 🧘🏽‍♂️ You are going to spend a lot of time worrying about things that will eventually work themselves out. You will worry about being on the right path or not.

You will wonder if you are moving fast enough. You will compare your journey with people around you. Please don’t. You are not late. Your journey is different and your timing is unique. You will discover that life is not a straight road and some opportunities will surprise you.

Oh you will face a lot of rejections and disappointments. People don’t throw stones at trees that don’t bear fruits, so get ready to get stoned at. But you must ensure those disappointments redirect you. The obstacle is the way, so do not allow bitterness, resentments and offense take root in you.

New levels come with new devils, but don’t be afraid. You have what it takes to succeed as you climb the corporate ladder. Be open to consistent learning, unlearning and relearning.

Some people will enter your life and completely change your perspective. You will learn that success is not only about achieving things. It is about becoming a better person and listening to the Holyspirit on a day-to-day. You will discover that relationships matter, humility matters, integrity matters, and your Faith matters a lot more. It will keep you grounded in the face of compromise.

You will make mistakes. A lot of them. You will second guess yourself and even become your own biggest critic. But those mistakes will become some of your greatest teachers. When you feel tired, REST, take a break, but don’t quit. However, when it’s time to move on, you will know. Be self-aware, read the room, plan your exit, and bow out in a blaze of glory. You don’t want to wake up one morning to ask: WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?

Finally, never look down on yourself. You deserve the best things in life. Don’t settle for less. Be an incurable optimist, keep improving yourself and keep showing up to add value to others. The future version of you is grateful that you did not quit. See you at 40. We have stories to tell 😁

#CountdownTo40
#SamAdelekeAt40
#OneDayAtATime
#LiveIntentionally by @sam.adeleke

#21DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings — meetings, meetings, meetings — I can’t stand one more!

Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way.

No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer.

Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out.Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.

Isaiah 1:13–17 MSG

#CountdownTo40
#SamAdelekeAt40
#LiveIntentionally
#OneDayAtATime by @sam.adeleke

#22DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ Our God, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home

Under the shadow of your throne
Your saints have dwelt secure
Sufficient is your arm alone
And our defense is sure

Before the hills in order stood
Or Earth received her frame
From everlasting you are God
To endless years the same

A thousand ages in your sight
Are like an evening gone
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun

Time, like an ever-rolling stream
Bears all its sons away
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op’ning day

Like flow’ry fields the nations stand
Pleased with the morning light
The flow’rs beneath the mower’s hand
Lie with’ring ere ’tis night

Our God, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Be thou our guard while troubles last
And our eternal home.

#CountdownTo40
#SamAdelekeAt40
#OneDayAtATime
#JesusLovesYou by @sam.adeleke

#23DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ Sometimes the hardest decision you’ll ever make in your career isn’t leaving a bad place. It’s leaving a good place that is no longer your next place.

Tbh, you can be successful in an environment and still decide you’re not leaving anytime soon. So this is not an emotional knee-jerk decision to take recklessly. But if you are a calculated risk-taker like me, you might need like 2-3 years to process and prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and financially for the quantum leap.

For the restless, spontaneous and adventurous, the thrill is in the deep dive. No time to waste time lol. However, “Oh man, know thyself”.

Whichever side of the divide you find yourself, you’ll eventually have to confront yourself with this uncomfortable question: What if the life I am capable of building requires me to leave the life I’ve become comfortable living?

As the years roll by, you’ll eventually realize that this ‘success’ of yours can become a prison when yesterday’s achievement becomes tomorrow’s excuse not to move.

If you’re not sure what stage you’re at, this is your cue to plan that long overdue break to reflect. Unplug from your daily auto-routine. Travel somewhere new. Doesn’t have to be an expensive trip. Could be a road tip to another town, city, state or province. Take that course you’ve always longed for. Go to seminary. Intern at a restaurant. Volunteer at a textile shop in Balogun market.

Or speak to a coach, mentor or role model you admire. Pay them if you’re required to. Stop asking for free wisdom at this age and stage of yours - especially if you can afford it.

Conquer your fears: go do a Bungee or Skydive. Tell that guy how you really feel about him. Start reading the Bible from Genesis and don’t stop till you conquer Revelation. Run that marathon...

By all means, do something. Don’t defer your happiness. There won’t be a perfect time to take that bold step. Sometimes maturity is knowing when to stay. Sometimes maturity is knowing when to go... by @sam.adeleke

#24DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ “So tell me, what do you do?” he began. Errr… I sauntered into staccato mode, reeling out English upon English. By the time I was done, he softly and gently prodded again, “Sam, what do you do?” And by that he meant, what is THAT ONE THING that makes people remember you when your name is mentioned? What is that one thing you’re good at – the fulcrum on which every other thing I do rests on.

That day, Kenny Brandmuse - the Doyen of ORANGE opened my eyes to the importance of THAT ONE THING – the vertical stretch of the symbolic letter T. ‘Prophet’ Kenny taught me to seek ye first the VERTICAL kingdom and all other HORIZONTAL things shall rest upon it.

THAT ONE THING has catapulted me to various boardrooms, deal-rooms, and speaking platforms across the continent. It positioned me to handle human capacity development in training rooms at KEYSTONE BANK, DANGOTE CEMENT, PAGE FINANCIALS, BANK OF INDUSTRY, TBR AFRICA, RDB Kigali, STERLING BANK, INVESTMENT ONE, and HILLSONG AFRICA, among others.

That powerful insight changed my life forever, propelling a significant shift in my modus operandi at the various roles I’ve taken in Corporate Nigeria. From Insurance Sales Executive to Graphic Designer to Creative Director to Travel Writer to Government Relations Executive to Chief Business Manager to HR Consultant to Group Head, Products & Corporate Communications, and now Business Owner.

I run TWS Global Consulting - a Lagos-based human capacity development firm. We deliver soft skills training on Emotional Intelligence, Strategic Sales and Marketing, Corporate Governance and BCP, Effective Business Communication, Strategic Leadership & Management, Personal Grooming & Corporate Etiquette, New Product Development & Go-To-Market; CRM + EI + EQ Skills; and Working With A Multi-Generational Team, among others… by @sam.adeleke

#25DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ You cannot travel extensively and remain completely convinced that your nation is doomed to live below the poverty line. You see the same possibilities that these well-travelled rulers have seen. You see what other countries do well, and you are fired up with holy anger to confront the lies and propaganda of the governing elite.

You see, travel is only most valuable when you return home seeing your own world differently. You don’t just come back with pictures and videos to pepper your timeline. You return with your spirit stirred up to challenge the political class that has kept your fellow citizens in multi-dimensional poverty.

In the same vein, you also see where these countries struggle. Regardless of their level of development, you’ll eventually realize that no country has everything figured out. And while returning with fire in your belly, you are now cautious not to set that same house on fire with your holy angst.

So you keep your eyes on the ball and ask mature questions without succumbing to rage-baiting children of anger lol… What can you do better with the things directly under your control? How can I welcome people better? How can you create more opportunities? What negative patterns and cycles can I break with the resources I have? How can you be intentional about shaping our collective narrative? And how can movement across borders become a force for prosperity rather than frustration?

From traveling the north of the Sahara to the south of the Sahel, people everywhere are looking for many of the same things: Meaning; Dignity; Belonging; Opportunity; Love; and a Better Future.

I ask that you join me in making a personal resolution to do the most that I can - with the much that I have - to the ones that I can. So help me God.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” —Mark Twain

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
— Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭17‬-‭18‬, ‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

#CountdownTo40
#LiveIntentionally
#SamAdelekeAt40 by @sam.adeleke

#26DaysTo40 😶‍🌫️ Today, I’m reflecting on the life and times of the legendary Fanen Acho. Aside Leke Alder who introduced branding as a discipline in Nigeria, Fanen Acho is one genius who will definitely go down in the Branding Hall of Fame as a Foremost Nigerian Branding Innovator and Strategist Extraordinaire.

The first day he came to our class, back then at Orange Academy, he just didn’t look the ‘type’, I must confess. All eyes were on his bulging tummy lol. And surprisingly, he keyed into that ‘truth’ by making a brilliant joke out of it. Before we could blink, the class had began… and by the time he was done with us, we had all gone ‘mAD’.

The advertising genius had upset our apple carts. This highly cerebral strategist had dealt an eternal blow to our psyche. What manner of man is this?! You needed to experience the journey he took us through that day as he meandered from the ephemeral to the metaphysical.

Fanen opened our eyes to the world we had never seen. After that class, I concluded that I had underpaid Orange Academy. I felt like I had wasted time in the university. I felt like going to OAU to retrieve my fees and add it to my Orange fees as compensation. Ah Fanen!

You see, I ‘envied’ the folks at his Headstart Consulting afterwards. They had a Colossus and Titan as leader. I just couldn’t resist the urge to apply to work at his firm after Orange. The 5-hour experience at his office during my interview was a masterclass. It was one of the most grueling negotiating sessions I’ve ever been through.

I marveled at his right-hand man, Folu Adeyeye, who was equally brilliant and versatile at the interviews. Even though I didn’t take the offer in the end, that encounter was a springboard for the next level.

I would later hangout with Folu in Mauritius, many years later, during my working visit to the island nation. He had moved on to become a major marketing leader in that country; and now works in a bigger capacity with another firm in South Africa. The trajectory of Fanen’s men can only be upwards and northwards… by @sam.adeleke