15/01/2026
That fateful day, I arrived at work as early as the Super Eagles preparing for a crucial AFCON match! The task ahead of me was as daunting as a stadium full of opposing fans; my team and I were ready to mould blocks, but there was a major "defensive" problem: No water.
In block-making, no water means no progress. I was thinking fast, scanning the field for a solution just like an attacker looking for a gap in the Moroccan defense. I called my boss for an immediate intervention, but he was nowhere to be found.
Three hours passed. Everything was at a standstill. My teammates—mostly students from Bambili who hustle on Mondays to get money for their school data, were understandably furious.
Their "Monday hustle" was slipping away, and as the Team Coordinator, their frustrations were landing squarely on my shoulders. This was a true test of leadership under pressure.
I had to make a "Captain’s" decision. I went into my own pocket and bought some palm wine to calm the team down and keep their spirits up.🍷 It was a difficult choice, but leadership often requires personal sacrifice to keep the team unified and productive, especially when unforeseen circumstances arise.
Later that evening, when my boss finally called to apologize, I didn't mince words. I told him: "If this ever repeats itself, I will not work with you again. Also, I need a refund for the money I spent keeping the team together."
He didn't hesitate. He asked for my Momo (Mobile Money) details immediately.
This whole experience reinforced for me that in life, unforeseen circumstances aren't meant to tear us apart; they are meant to test our adaptability.
Things won't always go as planned, but how you pivot and set clear boundaries determines your success and the respect you earn.
Now, do you think I handled the situation correctly by using my own money and setting such a firm boundary with my boss?
2️⃣If you were the boss in this scenario, would you have put your ego aside and uapologized, or would you have felt challenged by my term?
