08/17/2021
Pay attention to number 8.
My career has taken me across diverse fields of
endevour. Graduating with a Second Class Upper division in History/Archaeology meant I had few options to launch myself as a professional.
Post-graduation, I knew adaptability was going to be
key if I was to be successful in any given endevour. Learning, unlearning, and relearning has always been my mantra. Being open to constructive criticisms, new ideas, and a genuine openness to seek help where necessary helped too.
I was opportune to work as the producer of Nigeria's
biggest family radio show Sharing Life Issues with Chaz B on Rhythm FM and Radio Continental now Max FM Lagos, Nigeria. How did a fresh graduate land that role? Coachability! My uncle recommended me to one of his friends, who knew
someone who was in search of an advert intern on the show. The responsibility was to ensure that paid adverts would run at the exact time the sponsors needed them on air.
After a week on the show, I knew I could do more than just waiting for adverts to air. We decided I was going to source content for the presenters and the crew. We knew we could do better with relatable topics of everyday life. After a month of introducing new content, the team knew my worth and drafted me to production. A new role meant pressure to deliver on the biggest radio station in Nigeria considering it was a network show.
Setting back and watching people talk on-air, exposed me to the technical part of live production. God knows the number of times I bugged the in-house producers to teach me how to manage the console. I am glad they were never tired of my questions and constant calls to guide me.
My big break. The staff of the radio station went on strike, and we had to go live no matter the situation, as we had a binding contract with Nigeria’s biggest telecom company. Few minutes to going live, I volunteered to man the console. I can still remember the look on the faces of my colleagues. After minutes of pleas and promise not to ***** things up, they let me man the console. My biggest validation was the Chairman asking who the producer on air was and being told it was an independent producer. We had a chat afterward and I could see how impressed he was. I remember the feeling of satisfaction and pride I felt. To date, I still wonder how they left me to handle the console of a live programme. Till I left the station, no one manned the console for my programme. They left it to me knowing I was more than capable. All credit must go to the guys who coached me and made me better. I went on to win several awards as the producer until I ventured into a different career path.
Sadly, most people are unteachable and loathe being
coached. That my friend can be the thin line between your current location and your destination. After all, we all need someone or people as springboards to launch!
My two cents? Never be too big to be coachable. It never
goes out of fashion.
