Last week, at our quarterly induction session for new hires of Heirs Holdings Group, a new staff member asked me a question: “What are your fears?”
It made me look back, think how my instincts, my perceptions and indeed my fears had changed over my life. Our fears evolve with our aspirations. Over time, my fears have changed dramatically, as I achieve milestones, my ambitions led to success, but also my responsibilities increased for my people, my businesses, my continent. The realisation grew that so many lacked the opportunity, the luck, that I had.
I did not grow up in affluence. I feared losing what little we had. I feared the fate that so many face, hunger, violence, forced emigration. I worried for my family, their health, their safety. There was a time when all I wanted was to break out of that poverty. At university, it was fear of failure, fear of missing out, would I be able to sustain that trajectory, that I had already mapped out? Then, I wanted a good job, to buy my car, rent a good flat, and own my house. Each step forward also brought risk, I am audacious and take calculated risks, entrepreneurs have to embrace risk, but risk does not always lead to reward.
But now, building a lasting legacy and impact keep me up at night.
They say a wise man decides what happens when he is gone, while he is alive. In Africa, youth unemployment and insecurity seem to be growing, not reducing. At times my fear is for our continent, the waste of opportunity, the threat to our climate. It’s why what we do at the Tony Elumelu Foundation, through our US$100million commitment, is so important supporting and prioritizing young African entrepreneurs, supporting the growth of the continent and giving hope to our young ones. When I meet with beneficiaries of TEF during my trips across Africa, the testimonies on the impact of the US$5,000 grant they received from the Tony Elumleu Foundation gives me joy and fulfillment. That, to me, is worth everything; that tells me that I am fulfilling my aspirations and crushing my fears.
So, to you reading this, remember that the fears keeping you up at night now, will one day be a source of strength – as you take pride in conquering those fears – one step at a time.
Fear is natural, learn to harness it – look forward, forward to success, transform fear into hope – and hope into ambition. And then nail your ambitions.
