ON THE COVE R
(Executive Director, Operations, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management)
Say hello to our cover girl - Idia Aisien! Model, Media Personality, Actress - call her by any name. One thing she has proven she is not is 'put in a box'. We dive into her latest role in movie making, take a walk down memory lane and see what's on the horizon.
I was in a similar hiatus year ago, except that in my case, I was not allowed to take up any vocation, however temporary. The preference was for me to focus on my studies alone. In realisation of how difficult it could be for her to manage both responsibilities, I made up my mind that if she would let me, I would do my best to encourage her to accomplish what she envisioned for herself.
And that was what placed me in a mentorship role to this young lady, supporting her with encouragement to stay connected to her dream, through the near misses and resultant disappointment until she was admitted into a Polytechnic to study. She’s since become a student, all credit to her determination.
There are people around us; female or male, who dream of a better opportunity for themselves. Like Yetunde, their dreams are valid; and sometimes all they need is someone who’s been through the same path, or knowledgeable about a skill that they require, to uplift them, cheer them on so they stay focused.
Since that experience, I have made a conscious effort to act in service to young people who do not have the privileges that we sometimes don’t realise that we have. So, whether it was Buchi the washman who didn’t realise that he could plan to save from the business that he had run for ten years simply by having visibility around his operations book-keeping wise, or Rose, who was a sales person at a shop that I was at, I would engage, understand their direction and support in what I hoped would be meaningful to them.
These ‘little things’ do matter and just like the popular French proverb translated “little by little the bird builds its nest”, they matter in a deeply personal way to the person, changing their outlook and sometimes the trajectory of their lives and by extension, those of their families.
We make choices all the time and so whether I challenge something myself, or I am providing support to others to challenge their situations, I try to make it a constant discipline.
It’s been a little over sixteen years since I joined the Group and as I reflect, the following come to mind:
1. Build credibility: Let your work speak for you, work hard and put your best foot forward.
2. Relationships matter: Make friends in not only your department but with other colleagues in various departments.
3. Prepare: Continue to improve yourself, don’t get too comfortable with your current status and strive to be better.
TOGETHER, WE CAN TAKE A STAND FOR A GENDER INCLUSIVE WORLD
Having a positive outlook is a critical component that provides the right foundation for the confidence, endurance and grit required to go through a career journey. I don’t think that I could share my story without first acknowledging the single most important female figure that shaped by views around success, and the genderless-ness of same. My views were pretty much formed at a tender age as I watched my mum growing up. My mum made everything happen for us. As a pharmacist and hands on mum, I watched how hard she worked, taking advantage of opportunities and making great financial choices which created a solid foundation for my personal outlook on life and the ability to achieve all that I set out to accomplish no matter the challenges.
On resuming in this great organisation about 15 years ago, the thought of rising through the ranks and cadres was indeed daunting.
I had the privilege of being a part of a women in leadership training with Standard Bank in 2012. A part of the research work has stayed with me through the years as we asked senior leaders (men and women) to confirm what their most important success factor was, and the responses were quite divergent. Women responded by talking about hard work, pushing through challenges, dedication among others. On the other hand, the men responded by talking about collaboration, networking, partnerships, confidence and so on. This outcome overlaid with critical leadership traits revealed that men may just be naturally gifted in some key leadership qualities, although outliers exist. The group has since responded to this in various forms, setting up the Blue Women Network was one, and providing women through various learning interventions is another. Stanbic IBTC has continued to #ChooseToChallenge.
When it comes to how we work
with others, I would start by saying that the fact that you are something doesn’t mean that you cannot discriminate against it. The fact that I am a woman doesn’t mean I cannot discriminate against another woman. In fact, I have had a female direct report say to me expressly that she didn’t want to fill a vacant position on her team with a woman. On enquiry, she said women are generally not rugged. I had to throw it back at her and ask if she wasn’t rugged and how come she as a woman can lead the team effectively and efficiently. Now she commends the woman that filled the position and even rates her above some of her peers. I chose to challenge her stance and I challenge you to do the same for every woman that deserves a seat at the table. Finally, I must recognise my relationship with God, this is perhaps the singular most important point. I believe that having a strong faith and an anchor does help in choosing to challenge. It is the root of the strength and confidence required to push through.
Together, we will continue to learn, grow and create a more inclusive workplace and by extension the world...IT CAN BE.