Marketing Experts, Leaders Task Professionals On Tenacity, Resilience For Leadership At Imperfectly Awesome Summit
Marketing maestros, executive powerhouses, creative geniuses, and industry professionals have shared valuable insights into the secret sauce to great leadership identity, which includes tenacity, resilience, authenticity, and inclusion.
These insights were shared at the just-concluded third edition of the Imperfectly Awesome Conversations Summit, hosted by Dr. Omotola Bamigbaiye. The event, which was held on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, explored the art of rising above adversity, igniting a spark in attendees to unleash their full potential.
In her welcome address, Dr. Omotola expressed her excitement to have everyone around. She said, “Today, we will be listening to these awesome speakers because I have listened to them, I have experienced them, I have learned from them, and I have heard them speak severally.
“I chose imperfectly awesome because in life generally, you have to face one challenge or the other, but with Imperfectly Awesome, I am here to assure you that no matter what life throws at you, no matter the challenges you have gone through, you are enough.”
While delivering the first keynote speech, Engr. Amos Ologunleko, Author/Leadership Advisor, explained resilience and tenacity in the workplace. “Persistence embodies tenacity and resilience, and it shows clearly how one deals with any one of the situational self-importance.”
He then made reference to Nick Vujicic, an inspiring man born without arms and legs. He said the man had a doctorate in accounting and financial planning, he had authored over 10 books, and most of them best international books. He won an award at the Olympics in 1990 and also has a big feature review.
“What many-bodied individuals cannot achieve, this young man has done it at the international level. Another thing that I learn so much about him is that there is greatness inside of you. If this man can achieve so much because you are perfect, you can achieve even more.
“Tonight I’m challenging every one of us that indeed, tenacity, resilience, consistency, persistence in doing little good works can accumulate into a great leadership identity.” He concluded.
Omolara Banjoko, Marketing Manager at FrieslandCampina, while speaking during the first panel session, shared a story from her childhood moment, which speaks to what it takes to be resilient.
According to her, “Everyone has an elastic limit. It takes a lot to do things consistently, and sometimes it is over-exaggerated, but it is something that must be done.”
Alex Goma, Managing Consultant at BusinessMax Consulting and an experienced board-level business leader, explained that setbacks in sales are not rejections, but opportunities for self-evaluation and recalibration.
In his words, “If the sale doesn’t happen, it means you haven’t sold the benefits in a way that meets the customer’s needs. Go back and refine your message. Don’t give up.
“You exist in that job because the product can’t sell itself. If it were easy, they wouldn’t need you. The harder it is to sell, the more you’re needed, and the more resilience you must build.”
In his speech, John Ajayi, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Marketing Edge, described mindset as a tool that drives adaptability, persistence, and personal excellence, especially when aligned with an organization’s vision and mission.
On her part, Dr. Laila St Mathew-Daniels, Growth & Development Strategist, explained that authenticity is unbecoming of everything we were never meant to be, while self-awareness is an individual superpower.
Discussing embracing one whole self, Abigail Tiwa-Olanubi, Founder and Creative Director of Indigene, said the first thing that counts while embracing oneself is confidence, while creativity, productivity, and other elements of tolerance come after.
Dr. Folakemi Fadahunsi, CEO of Shoprite, shares a powerful insight on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a case study for embracing one’s whole self. “I believe the concept of post-traumatic stress disorder comes when an individual thinks people expect that they behave in a certain way, which is usually in the sense of Am I good enough? Am I sure I can do this? But the truth is, people take you at your own evaluation of yourself.
“When struggling with imposter syndrome, ask yourself what you believe about yourself – do you think you’re the best person for the role or task? Affirm your strengths by repeating positive affirmations to yourself. Believe in yourself, say it out loud, and repeat it often.
“Take risks and give it your best shot, and don’t fear failure. Remember, sometimes we win, sometimes we learn, so even if you fail, you can pick yourself up and try again. Imposter syndrome can hold you back with negative self-talk, but you can break the cycle by focusing on your strengths. Ultimately, you can do it if you believe in yourself enough and put yourself out there.”
Other speakers at the event include Funke Fajusigbe, President, Auxillia Group LTD; Osato Evbuomwan, Marketing Director, Moet Henssey, Nigeria; Dr. Emeh Emmanuel, Executive Coach, Chartered Human Resource Consultant, among others.
