TALENTED BUT NOT USEFUL

Many years ago, as a Supply Chain Data Officer at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, I had a boss who did not approve of the customised database management system we used for inventory management and other logistics activities in the department.

Before pushing for change, he took time to understand the system, holding several meetings with me and the team. He even requested reports, which I could generate in minutes using Microsoft Access. But ultimately, he advocated for a simpler system—Microsoft Excel—perhaps because he wasn’t familiar with Access.

When he insisted on the switch, I refused. I had strong reasons, but he was adamant. Without much discussion, he proceeded with his plans—conducting stock counts, restructuring inventory categories, and implementing an Excel-based management system. He even instructed the warehouse team to exclude me from data-sharing and rerouted all requests through another staff member.

For weeks, I sat at work doing nothing but observing. I later learned he was working to make my role redundant and recommended my dismissal.

Realising what was at stake, I swallowed my pride and appealed to him, I mean BEGGED HIM. To my surprise, he handed the new system back to me to manage. A few months later, he saw the limitations of Excel and requested we return to the original database.

Key Takeaway?

Talent and skills are great, but without adaptability and alignment with team goals, they can become a liability and you will be USELESS. I’m grateful I learned this lesson the easy way—hopefully, you won’t have to learn it the hard way.

Shalom.

Keep in Mind:

📢 At Rapid Experience Logistics Limited, we handle all kinds of supply chain challenges.

📚 At Jewel Publishers and Services, we reign as kings in printing and publishing.

📩 Get in touch! - +2348033615992, chukac@askchuka.com, chukachiezie1@gmail.com

Comments

DEBT IS A VERY BAD THING

You may not know me personally, but take this from me: DEBT COULD BE A TERRIBLE THING. As long as you owe someone, you remain their servant, no matter how talented or respected you are. Yesterday, while driving to work and enjoying my heavenly sandwich, I spotted Emeka in traffic and nearly lost my appetite. Why? I remembered how badly I suffered in his hands after I was duped of the money I had borrowed from him to fund a certain business opportunity. Let me gist you. When I went back to Emeka to explain what had happened, he empathised with me and even offered a payment plan since it was clear I couldn't return the money all at once. Sometime after, we were both invited to serve as panellists at a supply chain management event. I was the first to share my thoughts on a topic, which Emeka later disagreed with. But my take must have sounded more compelling, because I was asked to expand further. Crazy me (forgetting that my oga at the top was seated beside me), I took a whiteboar...

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER PRISON ?

A few years ago, I listened to a message by Bishop T.D. Jakes where he spoke about the high likelihood of ex-convicts returning to prison. This, he said, was largely due to the difficulty they face reintegrating into society. One major challenge is public acceptance. Many employers don’t want individuals with criminal records associated with their brand. Others fear that the ex-convict might relapse into old behaviours, potentially causing harm or bringing trouble to their organisation. While these concerns are understandable, Bishop Jakes advocated for meaningful reform during incarceration. He suggested that churches, manufacturers, and other businesses should create training programmes for inmates—equipping them with skills that will help them survive once they are released. The goal? To reduce the temptation to return to crime. A few days ago, while scrolling through social media, I came across a photo with a caption that caught my attention: President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina F...

A NEW NIGERIA IS POSSIBLE - BUT ONLY IF WE CHANGE HOW WE THINK

RENEW YOUR MIND – NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE. Before stepping into the Made in Nigeria Course class, which is held every third Saturday of the month, I always grab a cup of coffee to stay alert during Dike Chukwumerije's life-changing lectures. On one of those Saturdays, as I paid for my coffee, the sales boy asked why we gathered every month. I told him, "We come together to discuss how to rebuild Nigeria." He smirked and said, "Oga, una just dey waste una time. Nigeria don finish." I smiled and replied, "If this message about transforming Nigeria is strong enough to bring me all the way from Mesopotamia (a distant location) and others from across different states, then rebuilding Nigeria is NOT impossible." Before leaving, I asked him: "What religion did your great-grandfathers practice?" He answered, "Traditional religion." "And your father and you?" He said, "Christianity." I then asked, ...

Ask Chuka

Search This Blog