15 Crucial Career Currencies from a nomadic banker (1)

Have you ever wondered how some folks made it, especially if they are playing in a field that is not their primary course of study? or Have you ever wondered why you have done everything right like always been on time, having the professional qualifications etc and it seems you are not advancing the way you imagined? You may be lacking in some currencies that the high flyer you are looking at is trading for maximum career returns. Little wonder King Solomon said “Money answereth all things”. Exchanging the right currency is a guarantee, that can be called on at different times………..Let’s look at the definition of currency……

Currency is defined as a medium of exchange for goods and services.

– Investopaedia

This definition hits my point in the head and one commonality in all the definitions of currency researched is its power as a means of exchange. There are several ethical ways of giving strong career currencies. I have practised this and observed it from others too. As a sponge and a nomadic banker, i have been around and gathered insights from all, every and sundry…My persepectives have since changed and keep changing. Sometimes, I laugh at those who in the words of the proverbial son have never seen another man’s farm but calls their fathers farm the biggest in town… I also wonder at those who think the grass is greener on the other side…… I always say “Choose your pain” …..

Anyways, to commemorate my 15years in practise which was in August by the way, i have come up with the 15 career currencies that worked for me and those i picked from superiors, peers and subordinates in my interactions with them that got traded as career benefits as the case maybe. This post comes from a global perspective, for a leader who is seeking the currencies necessary for staff retention or improved performance other than using “sticks”, or for a beginner seeking for growth and advancement other than compromising your ethics. Yes, because i have been asked directly how i am making my wins in a space with a lot of misconceptions. ( we are not fully there yet though, more to be achieved). Grab your popcorn and coke, please enjoy…………

• Trust

Trust is especially important for leaders. No other boss exemplified this than my very first boss. I call her my first boss even though she was my second level manager. As an entry level recruit, she placed a very high demand on me and my peer in a very motivating way. She gave us leadership opportunities without much experience in a way that says ” I trust you will crack it and deliver”. It was as if she got the working template from my dad….. Talk about high level emotional intelligence of dealing with different personalities, allowing them figure things out themselves and trusting they won’t let you down. I worked hard with her, even found it joyful following her home to complete a presentation. I experienced my first flight while under her ( yes o, everyone’s got to start from somewhere ). There was a meeting with a company in abuja and she said i should go and represent her ( ahhhhhh), that a senior colleague will be in Abuja to support me and guide me. That was the level of trust at which she consistently operated with me. You can count on this currency……

• Respect

This second currency brings a big smile to my face. Still on my first boss oooo….I overkilled respect in professional setting one day with her but i learnt new english in the process ( lol). As a well brought up yoruba girl, talented and ambitious and in awe of my new boss ( as in, are there big fine madams like this? that now likes me? I have made it), i knelt down a bit to greet her the first day of resumption after our redeployment to her office and she said in her stylish manner ” Common, we don’t curtsy here”….. Eh, na curtsy them dey call kneeling down to greet our elders? lol…. Well, i stopped curtsying but couldn’t stop saying ma’am and learnt a new word…(lol) and she became my go-to when in doubt in my career journey and provided me with opportunities for growth and treated me with respect too. P.S, As you are according your colleagues their respect, please do not accept disrespect either…..

• Adaptability

As a nomadic banker, i can tell you this for free and i know you can take my words on it…..Changing jobs is quite rewarding and you will likely advance fast but it can also be draining and requires a high level of grit and risk tolerance. Every organisation differs largely on culture….. Being nomadic means learning a new lingua franca every time you changed jobs. I had a hard time switching to first name basis in a certain organisation. I am a proper yoruba girl ….It was hard, but i adapted. As the saying goes, adapt or die. This also goes beyond organisation culture, even in a known environment, you need to continually adapt to changing policies, ways of working, use of applications etc.

• Humility

The saying goes that ego is usually the enemy. The story that comes to mind is that of another second level manager in my career. He literally joined the security men to control traffic at the hall car park on my wedding day. A whole Deputy General Manager!!! I wasn’t there but i was told… Still can’t figure out how i deserved such present. On the job, this is exactly how he is humble and relates well with every one. He made my job easy, once an internal person knows i am representing him, the assignment is a winner. From him, i changed my perspective towards back office colleagues, seeing them more as a collaborator to the same end game rather than antagonists. By looking at it that way, we can solve issues arising together better.

• Empathy

This is an important currency for both leaders and followers. Empathy is the ability to lead or follow while understanding the need, experiences and contexts of others. The story that comes to mind is that of two wonderful bosses in my second longest career stay……. I had been a really great worker, pregnant and refusing to go for maternity leave (lol) I like work!!!. I pretty much underrated childbirth and nursing a baby….. You know that streak of “i can do it all personality” So, i crash landed after resuming back to work and juggling it all became such a big issue….. Post Partum Stress Induced breakdown got me out of work for a long time and on meds. Guess what, my executive director and immediate boss came to the house to check up on me…. wow. That’s not all, they both got involved in a part of my job in a most commendable way. This was during the Apapa Gridlock and i had to constantly get on the ferry to beat time and call on my client. They both joined me on the ride at different times. As a leader, rolling up your sleeves and getting involved in some of the seemingly difficult part of the job is a strong currency that will be ingrained in the heart of your colleagues for better performance and loyalty……..

Did you enjoy the stories? Join me next weekend for the concluding part with the remaining 10 currencies and accompanying stories…… Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

#careertips, #careermoves