By Agho, Sunshine Adesuwa
Remember Scandal! I am currently binge-watching this Award-winning TV Series, which was written by Shonda Rhimes. Kerry Washington who plays the main character Olivia Pope in the movie, is a Crisis Manager for the fictional American President Fitzgerald and the White House, running under the umbrella of her own firm Pope and Associates.
#RESPECT BEGETS LOYALTY
Olivia respected everyone in her team, It didn’t matter who was the best or the least, she saw their potential understood their strengths and helped them through their weaknesses. In the corporate world, competition and non-constructive criticism can easily pervade any workplace – we get stressed, we get tired, and we get sick of each other, it’s natural. As a leader, respect shouldn’t be one of your shortcomings, If you respect your team members, you will earn theirs in return, even their loyalty.
#BE IN THE KNOW!
Olivia Pope was always in the know, bringing herself up to speed with events in the political world. Knowledge is indeed power, being up to speed gives you an added advantage wherever you find yourself, you will be perceived as intellectual and would be able to contribute meaningfully to any discussion and of course enables you to make smarter decisions.
#BE A GLADIATOR IN A SUIT
Being a gladiator in a suit is fighting for the very best, for your internal and external customers. It’s being a team player, It’s going the extra mile and putting yourself on the spot at odd times, It’s understanding that you have to the take the heat for the team and it won’t be pretty most times. Remember you win as a team and you lose as a team if only a certain person or persons are being recognized in the team and others are not, then you as the leader is failing.
#STAY CONNECTED
Olivia Pope is a well-connected Crisis Manager working with the US President. Olivia’s connection didn’t begin at birth, As we know from the series, she didn’t want her father’s help. She grew her network from staying connected to the people she met along the way. Like Olivia, gaining and maintaining the connections we have with people will go a long way in supporting our business. It’s important to stay connected, but the calibre of people in your network defines how widely connected you are.
#DRESS FOR SUCCESS
Whether she is home drinking a cup of wine or leading a presidential campaign, Olivia Pope was always dressed ready to take on the world. Truly, the way we dress permits us to either see the king or get kicked out by the royal guard, it’s simple “dress to impress”. You might need to overhaul your wardrobe, you might need to spend a few extra boxes but don’t break the bank. The truth is if you look good, you will feel good, if you feel good you will wear an aura of self-confidence.
#DRINK A GLASS OF WINE
Get that balance! Learn how to kick off your shoes, lay back and listen to ‘The Weeknd’ with that cup of wine in your hand. Our mental health is important and that’s why work-life balance is required. Olivia always drank a glass of wine at the end of every workday, that was how she got her balance. Yours could be getting a massage or taking a stroll, whichever it is just getting that balance!
Wow!! This is apt and very insightful!! Indeed Stay in the know, Be a team player, Have a quality network and know when to kick back and relax.
Thank you for this!!
Inspiring…..
👌 An interesting read. Very creative