The Everyday Leader podcast features inspiring individuals building and leading teams across Africa. Listen to episodes on your preferred podcast platform here.
About our Guest
This episode’s conversation is with Temitayo Samson-Grace. Temi is the Head of Talent at Big Cabal Media, the publisher of TechCabal and Zikoko. She is also an Excellence Coach and Career Counselor. In both her HR and coach roles, she helps guide professionals on the journey to self discovery and recovery. Temi holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with additional training in Career Analysis, Mental Health Advocacy and Human Resources Management.
Everyday Leadership in Action
Here are a few highlights from the conversation with Temi:
Career pivots are possible inside companies: Often people associate career changes with moving to a new company. This was not the case for Temi, who decided that she wanted to move into HR while working at Rensource Energy. She had been serving as a Business Analyst when she realized she liked being able to help both the business and people on the team. Because she already had a comprehensive understanding of the business from her existing role, it was a relatively easy transition, though she did need to reach out for help and went through specific training to ensure she was fully up to speed in the HR functions.
The best side gigs are win-win for both staff and employers: Remote work and professional trends have normalized the concept of actively working on side gigs alongside a full-time role. As an HR practitioner, Temi rightfully insists that a side gig should not interfere with someone remaining fully productive in their core role. She also highlights that side gigs can even bring value to one’s primary role, in cases such as developing yourself as a leader and achieving personal goals. In her own case, she also works as a coach outside of her work with Big Cabal Media. In both her conversations with team members and with her personal clients outside of work, her goal is usually the same - to help individuals find clarity. She has found both roles very complementary.
The media influences how we show up as leaders: The media plays an important role in putting a spotlight on both good leaders and bad leaders to help shape the narrative on leadership best practices. Recently Big Cabal Media featured several cases of toxic workplaces at tech companies, which helped spark conversations and reflection around striving for better team cultures.
The Everyday Leader is a podcast featuring conversations with leaders from across Africa’s companies, organizations, and governments about their experience managing teams and projects throughout their careers.
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Temitayo Samson-Grace: Head of Talent, Big Cabal Media