As a Nigerian Talent, you must Unmute your Mic

Unmuting the mic, is a talent that Nigerians must imbibe, in order to compete effectively in today’s borderless and global work space.
 
One of Nigeria’s and Africa’s pragmatic ‘Gig Economy’ Advocate, Temitope Olukunle, says that Nigerian Talents in the global competitive talent pool, must harness the powers of self-propagation, in order to remain relevant and sought-after in the international labour market. As a Global Talent Acquisition Specialist and Human Resources Consultant, Temitope states that umuting the mic is not a meal ticket to excessive self-adulation and being in people’s faces. Rather, the term encompasses creating the right personae/personality for your skill sets, acknowledging your value, embracing clarity of thought and communication, taking initiative, letting go of fear and employing the right branding techniques to project one’s strengths and comparative advantages.
 
She says it can be called putting your value proposition in a box and making it readily available for assessment. Temitope says that unmuting the mic is an evolving process and Professionals and Freelancers must realize that as they advance in their careers, they must always calibrate their knowledge base and profiles. The world has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the proliferation of technology and the globalization of trade, culture, and ideas.
In this borderless world, the need for open, honest communication and the ability to speak one’s truth has never been greater.
 
Many career professionals struggle with self-doubt and lack of confidence, which can hold them back from unmuting their mic and achieving their full potential. They may feel uncertain about their career paths, have difficulty setting clear goals, or feel overwhelmed by the demands of the job market. These challenges can create significant stress and agitation leading to feelings of frustration, overwhelm, and burnout. Without a clear sense of purpose or direction, it can be difficult to stay motivated and focused, and to make progress towards one’s goals.
 
The following ways can guarantee the Nigeria Talent the opportunities needed to keep his/her mic loud and clear:
 
Clarity: Clarity is the ability to see things clearly and to understand what is most important. It is essential for career professionals and Nigerian talents to develop clarity in order to be able to set clear goals and to understand their values and priorities. Without clarity, it can be difficult to make decisions and to stay focused on what is most important. Clarity can help career professionals and talents to better understand their strengths and areas for improvement, and to make informed decisions about their career paths. Some strategies for developing clarity include setting aside time for reflection, seeking feedback from others, and engaging in activities that help to clarify one’s values and priorities.
 
Conviction: Conviction is the confidence and conviction that comes from knowing what you want and why you want it. It is essential for Nigerian talents to be able to stand behind their decisions and to advocate for what they believe in.

Without conviction, it can be difficult to persuade others or to stay motivated and committed to one’s goals. Some strategies for developing conviction include setting clear goals, learning about what motivates you, and practicing self-advocacy.
 
Capacity: Capacity is the ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally. It is important for career professionals to continuously develop their skills and knowledge in order to be competitive in the job market and to advance in their careers. Some strategies for developing capacity include seeking out learning opportunities, seeking feedback from others, and engaging in activities that challenge you to stretch and grow.
 
Congruence: Congruence refers to the alignment of one’s values, beliefs, and actions.

It is important for Nigerian Talents to be congruent in order to be authentic and true to themselves, and to be able to effectively communicate and build trust with others. Some strategies for developing congruence include clarifying your values and beliefs, practicing authenticity and vulnerability, and seeking feedback from others.
 
Coaching: Coaching is a powerful tool for helping career professionals and African talents to develop clarity, conviction, capacity, and congruence. A coach can help to identify areas for improvement, set clear goals, and provide support and guidance along the way. Some strategies for seeking out coaching include identifying a coach who aligns with your values and goals, setting clear goals for the coaching relationship, and being open to feedback and guidance.
 
Temitope’s 5C framework can be a useful tool for Nigerian talents to consider as they strive to unmute their mic for personal and professional growth and success. By focusing on the concepts of clarity, conviction, capacity, congruence, and coaching, they can overcome self-doubt and build confidence, and stay motivated and committed to achieving their full potential.