Constant learning and growth,

The first image is of me in 2018 during my first presentation, the second is of me last week.

I was working at Phyllion and Partners when I had my first presentation. I made a mess out of it. My boss, at the time, Temi Ibekwe, had started this challenge where Funmi Oyebola and I gave presentations on various case studies. I remember putting my best into giving a power presentation. But my best was not good enough because I got a 3 out of 10. From the content of my presentation to my outward demeanour, I had done a terrible job.

Of course, I got a chance to redeem myself, and I got a 4 out of 10, it was a low score but I had done better than I did previously. And between then and now, I have done many other presentations. Some great, others below par but more importantly, I continued.

At the end of my time at Infusync, my boss had told me to consider being a public speaker that I would do good in that space.

I had my first presentation at the Asset and Equity group last week. I showed the management team what my plans were for the group in 2021. I worked on it for a week and consulted my colleagues and friends in the industry for their opinion. Ebun Ade Taiwo reminded me it is 2021 and, no one says thank you at the end of a presentation. Instead, a call to action and, in my case I needed questions. Samuel Sokale helped restructure the strategy I had planned on. And Abiodun Ogunsola did the designs. Ndubisi Ogbonna, my dear friend, felt obligated to listen to me as I rehearsed over and over again.

At the end of my presentation, I got feedback as well as commendations from my audience. The MD, Micheal Osho had gone as far as standing up to applaud me.

Here is what I learned from my experience and I hope someone else can.

1. It takes time to master anything at all.
2. Constant practice is ultimate.
3. Failure is inevitable. In JK Rowling’s words, it is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.

4. You cannot do it alone. Amy Poehler put it simply when she said, “other people and other people’s ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”

So thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey, cheers to more growth.