I am a Leadership in Strategic Communications Alumni!
Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria nominated me to participate in the 2023 Leadership in Strategic Communications Workshop (LSCW) designed to enhance how we approach social and behavior change (SBC); design, implement, and supervise SBC activities to create and manage effective, results-oriented programs; understand health communication strategic planning through self-reflection, keen listening, teamwork, and a positive view of change; and enhance key leadership principles.
I had heard of this workshop hosted by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) and the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) for years and always wanted to be a part of it. When the opportunity came, you could tell I was ecstatic. However, it came when I was swamped with work, and I wondered if I could make the time to be at the workshop fully AND get deadlines submitted. I was told it would be an intensive two weeks of learning, but… I saw myself as the superwoman I believed I am and felt I would be just fine.
The joke was on me. 😂😂 The workshop started at 6 am daily, and we sometimes had to work way into the night. I realized that I am a superwoman, oh, but… superwoman dey tire!
Here are my key takeaways from the two weeks I spent at the workshop.
- Be present.
One of the first things we were told when we got to the workshop was ‘focus demands sacrifice’. We were told in plain terms to either think of work and worry about all the tasks we could be doing or be present. I told myself work could wait. For the first time in a long, LONG time, I kept my devices and immersed myself in the learning process. There were times when I didn’t even touch my phone. If you know me, you know how nearly impossible this is. But you know that feeling in your soul when something is going to change your outlook on life? I had it about this workshop and didn’t want to miss a moment.
2. Be deliberate.
I looked at programming for development from a completely different perspective. The idea that we must be deliberate was not novel. Still, the definition of what deliberateness means — the idea that slowing down, reiterating, getting multiple perspectives, running ideas forward and backward, ‘losing time’ — was the reinforcement I needed. We sometimes forget that for social and behavior change to happen, it takes time… and a couple of ideational factors. We sometimes want quick results because we have to report to donors or partners, but… even with us, change can take a while. So… being deliberate with how we program for people means considering that when ideas, their refinement, and processes are excellent, it can reduce the time we have to spend trying to get people to adopt better priority behaviors that improve their lives.
3. Be empathetic.
If I am being honest, I think I am empathic. Now, though, I can admit that empathy to me is putting myself in a person’s shoes as I think of them. I learned to look at empathy from a different perspective. ‘If this person you are programming for is your sibling, how would you program for them?’ This brought it closer to home for me. If it were my sibling, I would go the extra mile and do what it takes to ensure my sibling gets the best possible outcome. Now, there is a downside to this: I get too invested in anything I do, and by looking at empathy this way, it may get too much. However, combining all these points means that I will care enough, be present and deliberate, constantly reiterate, and learn from the mistakes I make… all because I care about the person I program for.
4. Embrace error.
This session broke me. This is weird because I got this takeaway when we touched on monitoring and evaluation, the part of programming I do not like. Yet, this was my most significant, most profound takeaway. It brought me to a crossroads that was incredibly painful, and I remember my eyes glaze over and my chest constricting. I have been working on a project, questioning my choices, and analyzing the mistakes that were compounding. Everyone who knows me knows I am a perfectionist: I HATE to make mistakes! And because I tend to overthink and overworry, I spend a lot of time dwelling on mistakes until it becomes a clog in the wheel of my work. Yet… error is where growth happens. Thankfully, most mistakes can be corrected. I am now in self-assessment and repair mode and look forward to the future. More importantly, I am willing to embrace mistakes and not beat myself so much about things.
5. Be willing to reiterate.
This idea is music to my ears: no process is ever truly finished. My life’s goal is to strive for perfection. With the lessons I gleaned from this workshop, I can improve processes by reiterating, taking steps forward, and going back until the ‘so what’ is at its last ask.
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Going forward, I am making a personal commitment to myself. It will be slower for me and my work. Slower will mean being present, deliberate, amping empathy, constantly reiterating, and embracing error.
Some moments in my life are pivotal to my personal, professional, and career growth. LSCW 2023 has become one of those moments. I am incredibly full.
I want to thank Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria for letting me get this experience. I am also thankful for Babafunke Fagbemi and Kanayo Precious Omonoju, the facilitators of this workshop. They were incredibly brilliant at delivering the sessions for maximum impact. I have been a fan girl of CCSI and these incredible women for years. They were so warm and versed in capacity building, and their use of analogies was so good. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I also appreciate everyone at CCSI and CCP working to develop this workshop. It was indeed a world-class and life-changing workshop.
I don’t do New Year resolutions and whatnot, but… in 2024, you should check me out! Check a sister out!
I am glad I let myself be immersed in the entire process: learning, reading, engaging with people, participating during sessions, laughing, playing, and being in the moment. My pictures do not tell how much fun I had during this workshop.
Thankful.
Blessed.
Full.
#LSCW
#LSCW2023
#MyLSCWExperience
