Africa Business Communities

Chioma Nnani: Sycophancy in Business

I apologise for the hiatus – between getting treated for malaria and a laptop whose charger malfunctioned at (what has to be) the worst possible time, it was difficult to write.

One of the mildly amusing yet scary lessons that I learned during my time-out was about the sycophancy that has a way of wrecking Nigerian-run businesses beyond repair. I honestly don't know if it's a black thing or just a Nigerian thing. But I discovered that I have never had to deal with it from paler-skinned employers or colleagues.

The people I've worked for, or done business with, who happen to be Caucasian, like hearing it straight. If an idea isn't going to work, if a plan is flawed – they want to be told about it. But it appears not so in Nigeria.

Nigeria is a place where a lot of people place a premium on a (in my opinion, ridiculous) perception of respect. So they'll do the “Yes, sir-yes, ma'am” thing to a frightening degree. In some Nigerian cultures, some people will literally kneel, bow and scrape, while addressing someone who is older than they are, or someone over whose eyes they're trying to pull wool. A lot of people get carried away by this. Depending on the circumstances, I find it to be quaint, hilarious or outright irritating.

Then, there's when they carry it into business.

There is no excuse or need.

I will never understand why anyone who's nurtured a business would put their false need for validation from their staff above the needs of that business. Yet that seems to be something of a norm in Nigeria; another reason why businesses fail.

A business-owner takes the time to create job descriptions and specifications, then recruits staff only to surround themselves with sycophants whose strength is eye-service. The staff does not speak out about policies and processes which affect productivity and ultimately, profitability of the organisation. They're too busy playing to a painfully safe gallery, because they do not want to offend massah.

I remember knowing instinctively, that an individual could not become a client of mine. They sought me out for my expertise. They researched me extensively before their PA reached out to me. Then they got deeply offended because I told them straight, that a particular line of action was not the way to go. Because of their position, they're used to people telling them that their fart smells like fragrances. I ended the conversation with their representative as quickly as I could manage.

If you invest the time and the financial resources to begin and grow your business, why would you surround yourself with people whose strengths you cannot tap? Is your self-esteem so full of holes that you need to be treated with complete deference and reverence by the people you hire?

 

Chioma Nnani is an award-winning author, who also contributes to business, lifestyle and literary publications. One of Africa's most fearless storytellers, she is a two-time UK BEFFTA (Black Entertainment Film Fashion Television and Arts) Award nominee and a DIVAS OF COLOUR 2016 finalist, who lives in Abuja, runs THE FEARLESS STORYTELLER HOUSE EMPORIUM LTD, can be reached on @ChiomaNnani and blogs at www.fearlessstoryteller.com

 

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