In a city in Nigeria like Lagos, you can be sure that politics in the office is always a constant thing as the traffic. In offices in Lagos, it looks like everyone always has their strategy at hand, even though, most of the time, they hide it. Well, I have always been known as a back guy who is always contented in my lane. Well even though there are times fate turns the tables around.
There is this particular marketing firm that I have been working with for roughly close to 5 years. It is not the best job I desire, but well it is enough to pay my bills and give me amazing colleagues that I like. There was this particular colleague of mine called Doyin who just graduated from the university. Of course, Doyin was very young and eager to deliver. Even when the rest of us were busy keeping the work going, Doyin spent his time attending to our boss Mr Williams.
"Sir," Doyin will start, most of the time and that is after a particular presentation that I might have spent all the night preparing for. "I think there is a way we can narrow this particular strategy in a way to increase our social media presence". One thing I have noticed is the fact that Doyin loves using those tactical words that will make my boss nod his head even though sometimes Mr Williams might not understand what those words mean.
Well, to cut a long story short, after close to 4 months, Doyin was promoted- well, that was over me that I had been around working tirelessly for 5 good years. "How can Doyin be promoted before me? How is that possible?" I was expressing my frustration to my best friend Dapo that one afternoon.
"You should know that this is Lagos," Dapo responded.
It was the promotion that got me so much pained, really by the fact that Doyin was not humble about it. There are days Doyin will stroll to the office and utter statements like "Eh ADESE, Get me those client documents? I need it right away on my desk."
Even though I tried to keep my cool at the initial stage, as time goes, it started getting choky, most especially the day Mr Williams just won an international client, an American Tech firm, to be precise. Normally, Mr Williams will hand over the project to his favourite boy, which is Doyin, of course.
"Doyin, this is you all," Mr Williams said. "Don't disappoint me, don't let me down Doyin."
Doyin assures Jim that he will deal with everything and deliver an excellent result even though all of us know he won't. But who am I to say anything but only to observe?
The next few days after that, Doyin would stroll around the office with this feeling like he is the one who owns the marketing firm. Of course, as I said earlier, I am the back guy who just minds my business, but there was this one Friday when disaster broke out.
I was about to close for the day when Doyin stepped into my office as worry and anxiety were written all over his face, and he was sweating under the AC.
"Adese, I need your help please,"
"Doyin, what is the matter? Are you okay". I asked
"Adese, it is actually about the presentation. The international client that came from the American Tech firm wants a detailed marketing strategy by Monday, and in fact, I have not started at all. The truth is I didn't know how to handle it. The marketing strategy requires data analytics and other stuff that I haven't done before"
Wow, finally, the tables have turned.
I relaxed back to my chair and pretended to act as if I was considering his request. "Well Doyin, that is tough"
"I am beginning your ADESE; I will do anything if you can help me out on this one; trust me, I will repay you."
Well, considering the religion I came from, which is Christian, the Christian way is to help him, but this is Doyin I am talking about. The particular guy who got full of himself and looked down on everyone in the office.
"Doyin, I will surely help you but for something in return"
"Anything, Adese?" he was looking so desperate and nervous.
"I request for an apology"
"Apology, why and for what?" He suddenly looked frowned and curious at the same time.
"For all those periods you were acting bossy over me around in this office, acting superior and looking down on the rest of us"
Doyin was surprised. "I never knew I was doing that"
"All right ADESE, I am sorry"
Smiling back at his response, I responded. "All right, let's get to work immediately"
We worked together all through the weekend as I guided him properly on all the details he required to make up for the marketing strategy. Doyin was humble all through the process and by tomorrow morning, we finally came up with something.
In the end, I learned that turning the tables does not necessarily mean taking vengeance. It is understanding the value you carry and not allowing anyone to play it down.