Soft faces aren’t the ones that achieve high standards. There is a standard for companies that doesn’t bend, a line that cannot be crossed and patience is not allowed to keep. It’s not cruelty to have a refusal to settle for less than “the best” – it’s the fuel that makes legacy possible. This razor-sharp edge of ambition Folorunsho Alakija captured with a clarity that was characteristic:
“I am impatient with mediocrity. Anyone working with me needs to step in line or I move on without them”.
What did Alakija Mean by this?
Alakija is making a clear and strong distinction between being present and contributing. To her, mediocrity is not simply being untalented, but somewhat a silent choice to live for the bare minimum. It presents a “friction” factor in a motor, reducing momentum until the whole project comes to a halt. If you accept it, you are saying that you agree with it.
Alakija is making a clear and strong distinction between being present and contributing. To her, mediocrity is not simply being untalented, but somewhat a silent choice to live for the bare minimum. It presents a “friction” factor in a motor, reducing momentum until the whole project comes to a halt. If you accept it, you are saying that you agree with it.
She compares professional alignment to a marching band: “Every step has to be in time with the vision. If someone falls out of pace, you either slow down so that they can catch up or go on without them. But for those with an exceptional vision, the luxury of waiting is not an option.
Who is Folorunsho Alakija?
The Lagos-born Folorunsho Alakija, a self-made woman, worked as a secretary before becoming a fashion designer, and eventually a contestant in the oil industry. She is one of Africa’s first female billionaires, who charted new economic avenues without abandoning her principles. This ascendance was characterized by her dedication to quality and speed, particularly when such was not the standard.
The Lagos-born Folorunsho Alakija, a self-made woman, worked as a secretary before becoming a fashion designer, and eventually a contestant in the oil industry. She is one of Africa’s first female billionaires, who charted new economic avenues without abandoning her principles. This ascendance was characterized by her dedication to quality and speed, particularly when such was not the standard.
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