WHEN BEING RIGHT WASN'T ENOUGH

Something I read this morning reminded me of my time working under one of the best bosses I’ve ever had, Mr Abu Ugbede, when I served as a Supply Chain Data Officer.

😲 I was genuinely surprised that someone would prefer a spreadsheet to a database management system built with Excel. When he resumed as Head of the Supply Chain Unit that year, he carried out a thorough audit of how our department functioned and the tools we used. He then told me he wanted us to use Microsoft Excel to track health commodities at the warehouse.

I tried to justify my existing system, including highlighting the risk of errors with spreadsheets, but he stood his ground, maybe because I didn’t follow his instructions.

I kept saying, “But this system I’m currently using provides all the data and indicators you need.” Still, he insisted on Excel. I disagreed, and refused. In plain terms, I was being insubordinate.

Unfortunately, one of the privileges of adulthood is that nobody can flog you when you err. But we often forget that where your right ends, another’s right begins.

Oga no talk oh. He just went ahead, developed the worksheet himself, and gave someone else the job. After all, plenty people in the office sabi Excel. That’s how I became redundant. 😅

I was still coming to the office every day, but nothing was given to me to do. I even hoped management would question why the reporting template had changed, but nobody sent my papa. It wasn’t until I went to apologise that this my very quiet boss didn’t throw me to the streets.

Long story short, we resolved things. Today, he’s one of my dearest friends, even though I still remember with side-eye that he almost got me fired. 😆

What reminded me of all this?

This morning, I read about God’s instruction to King Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites. But Saul chose to spare their king, Agag, and took the best sheep and treasures to “offer to God.” Noble intentions, but disobedient all the same.

Did Saul fight the Amalekites? Yes.

Did he fully obey the instruction? No.

And just like that… Saul lost his kingdom.

Was the database system I built delivering the results? Yes.

But was it what my boss wanted? No.

Thankfully, unlike Saul, I wasn’t dethroned 😅

Oga Abu, thank you very much.

Dear Reader, grab whatever lesson you like from this story and have a blessed day.

Shalom.

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