Olatunbosun Olalekan

Journal

Thought leadership & ideas

Essays on leadership, growth, strategy, society and the inner work of becoming. 55 pieces and counting.

Navigating the "Black Tax": Honoring Your Roots Without Sacrificing Your Future

Personal Development

Navigating the "Black Tax": Honoring Your Roots Without Sacrificing Your Future

It usually begins with a seemingly innocent WhatsApp message: “My sister, how is work?" or the sudden, mid-month phone call from an uncle who only remembers your number when school fees are due. Before you know it, the salary you haven’t even finished celebrating has been unilaterally redistributed across your extended kinship network.

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Jun 12, 2026 · 5 min041

Between Here and There Is Time

Between Here and There Is Time

Many people think success is about magic moments. It is not. It is often about ordinary days used wisely. It is about mornings nobody claps for. It is about nights nobody sees. It is about choosing progress when fantasy feels sweeter.

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

May 9, 2026 · 5 min25

The "Oga at the Top" Syndrome: Dismantling Toxic Hierarchies

Entrepreneurship

The "Oga at the Top" Syndrome: Dismantling Toxic Hierarchies

In many Nigerian organisations, there is a tangible shift in atmospheric pressure when the owner walks into the room. It is a culture where the CEO is not just a strategic leader but a demigod whose word is law, whose mo

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Jan 22, 2026 · 3 min427,137

"Japa" vs. Global Talent Circulation: A Management Perspective

Entrepreneurship

"Japa" vs. Global Talent Circulation: A Management Perspective

Every Nigerian business owner knows the specific sinking feeling that accompanies the "Japa" resignation letter. It usually arrives just after you have invested heavily in training a star employee, and the destination is

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Dec 1, 2025 · 3 min326,892

The "Lagos Stress Test": From Hustle to Institution

Entrepreneurship

The "Lagos Stress Test": From Hustle to Institution

In global business schools, we are taught that strategy is a linear path: you set a five-year vision, align your KPIs, and execute. But as any business owner operating in Lagos knows, a five-year plan often doesn't survi

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Nov 26, 2025 · 3 min1152,140

Your Partner Might Be Salt — Quiet, Unseen, But Absolutely Essential

Your Partner Might Be Salt — Quiet, Unseen, But Absolutely Essential

In today’s world, there is a powerful and necessary movement where men, in particular, are beginning to speak proudly about empowering their women. They say things like, “I want to push her into greatness,” “I want her t

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Jul 11, 2025 · 4 min936,541

Everything That Falls Gets Broken

Everything That Falls Gets Broken

We are quick to refer to "falling in love" as if love is an electric phenomenon that might carry us away with neither warning nor control. It sounds so exciting, free-falling, but the truth is, what falls risks breaking.

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Dec 14, 2024 · 3 min825,113

Atelophobia while dating: Embracing Imperfection in your Love Sojourn

Atelophobia, in simple terms, means fear of imperfection. It is an overwhelming anxiety that any flaw in oneself or others might lead to failure or rejection. The fear extends beyond a simple desire to do well; it carrie

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Nov 21, 2024 · 5 min728,711

It Is the Same Rain You Loved That Drowned You

Life is full of surprises; it often contains twists that catch us by surprise and that we often never saw coming. Sometimes, the things which previously brought joy and excitement in our lives may turn around and hold us

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Nov 2, 2024 · 5 min10911,982

TACENDA: ARE THERE THINGS BETTER LEFT UNSAID?

Personal Development

TACENDA: ARE THERE THINGS BETTER LEFT UNSAID?

The word "tacenda" is Latin, meaning "things better left unsaid." It describes those moments or details that might be better left unvoiced either for the sake of peace, for someone's privacy, or simply out of respect. It

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Oct 28, 2024 · 5 min784,602

DO NOT USE A GUN WHEN HE HAS CALLED YOU TO USE A SLING.

DO NOT USE A GUN WHEN HE HAS CALLED YOU TO USE A SLING.

“Do not use a gun when God has called you to use a sling” is one of the instructions that I let guide my life and decisions, unapologetically. On many occasions where I had to reflect on it and ask the Spirit critical qu

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Feb 27, 2024 · 3 min1027,007

IS GREENER PASTURE NECESSARILY A PLACE?

IS GREENER PASTURE NECESSARILY A PLACE?

Oh yes, I can guess the first thought on your mind, “but you are not writing from Nigeria.” Yes. That’s correct, but I think I have a message that will be of help. There is a mystery I would like to unravel. I promise th

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Feb 4, 2024 · 3 min682,223

BE WILLING TO BE VULNERABLE

BE WILLING TO BE VULNERABLE

I don't know who needs to hear this too. I got this message for myself, and I thought it would be kind to share. Sometimes, you have to be willing to be vulnerable and be helped or favored. Don't act as if you have it fi

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Jul 29, 2022 · 3 min2077,460

THANK YOU, GREAT IFE.

THANK YOU, GREAT IFE.

“What you do has a far greater impact than what you say.” – Stephen Covey. Undoubtedly, one of the biggest and best decisions I have made in my lifetime is choosing to become a student on Africa's most beautiful campus w

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Mar 8, 2022 · 3 min1679,521

IS LOVE OVERRATED?

IS LOVE OVERRATED?

An excerpt from our book, 'Beyond Romance' 'Words cannot convey how much I love you. Since the moment I met you, I knew I was going to love you till the day I die’. These and many other sweet lines are heard at the onset

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Feb 12, 2022 · 4 min1038,380

SYLVESTER OROMONI JR'S MURDER AND THE CURRENT REALITY OF TOXIC MASCULINITY

SYLVESTER OROMONI JR'S MURDER AND THE CURRENT REALITY OF TOXIC MASCULINITY

With all my sense of empathy, I think I should first say thank you to the kind parents who raised me. I was a very stubborn child with few brutal traits, despite being raised in a practical church way. I grew up exhibiti

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Dec 4, 2021 · 4 min1005,352

I DON'T THINK I NEED PROGRESS THIS YEAR.

I DON'T THINK I NEED PROGRESS THIS YEAR.

It's 15 days into the new year, and I really don't seem to have gotten over the previous year. That sounds absurd, right? I know. I will tell you about how I am feeling. The new year has come, and there's less hype about

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Jan 15, 2021 · 6 min3010,639

YOU MIGHT NEED A BREAK TOO

YOU MIGHT NEED A BREAK TOO

YOU MIGHT NEED A BREAK TOO. For a couple of weeks, I deliberately stayed away from certain routines, especially the ones that I have committed almost all my life to. I'm talking about a couple of activities related to my

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Nov 25, 2020 · 5 min334,348

THE STRENGTH THAT BROUGHT YOU HERE MAY NOT TAKE YOU THERE

THE STRENGTH THAT BROUGHT YOU HERE MAY NOT TAKE YOU THERE

Undoubtedly, life is in phases. One phase of life prepares you for another. To thrive in a new phase of your life, you may need an entirely new approach and skill set. The strength that brought you to this phase may not

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Oct 19, 2020 · 3 min719,030

NOW THAT YOU SAID YES, WHAT CHANGED?

NOW THAT YOU SAID YES, WHAT CHANGED?

Sequel to my last post tagged 'Now that she said yes, what changed?' I got a lot of positive feedback from 'my sisters in the Lord😄' but forgive me... I want to turn the table. While the chase was on,. You were quick to

By Olatunbosun Olalekan

Oct 8, 2020 · 3 min48707

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