TPP Fest: Experts Illuminate Path to Enhanced Emotional Intelligence for Young Africans

Esther Oluku

The inaugural Peak Performer Fest has impacted young aspiring and established leaders with valuable insights into enhancing their emotional intelligence in the professional space.

This event, themed “Emerging Leaders Summit,” is part of a three-day programme focused on leadership, productivity, and growth, with activities designed to enhance skills and promote organisational well-being.

To equip participants with the prerequisite skills, the summit featured a diverse lineup of 15 speakers from various sectors including HR leaders, executive coaches, and entrepreneurs across Africa whose gripping words echoed the Alliance Francais hall in the Ikoyi area of Lagos on October 2nd.

The HR speakers included Kunbi Adeoti, Chief People Experience Officer, Leadway; Oluwakemi Shonubi, TVC Director of People Culture Experience and Operations; Pai Gamde, Chief Talent Officer, Coronation Group Limited; Yemi Faseun, Chief Talent Officer, YF Talents Partners and Uche Ogbonnaya, Head of HR, Development Bank of Nigeria Plc.

While Bankole Williams, Founder & Princip Consultant, LYD Consulting; Dr Samuel Obafemi, President Sam Obafemi Behavioural Change Academy; Omowunmi Akinnifesi, Lead Consultant, Elle Poise Limited; Enahoro Okhae, a Licensed Emotional Intelligence Practitioner and Dr Osaz, CEO WINBOX Consulting Ltd were the coaches.

The entrepreneurs included Adedayo Amzat, CEO of Zedcrest Group; Azeez Amida, MD/CEO of Pan African Towers; Prisca Ndu, Executive Vice Chairman INDECO Group; Khadijat Okunu-Lamidi, Chairman and CEO of Slice Media Solution and Samson Olatunde, CEO, Knowledge Digest Africa.

Hosted by The Peak Performer (TPP) Africa, the summit aligns with TPP’s mission to unlock leadership excellence and celebrate Africa’s trailblazers while driving economic growth.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Abiola Salami, a world-class Performance Strategist and TPP Fest host highlighted the critical role of behavioral attitudes in professional settings, emphasizing that they can significantly impact potential.

He advised participants that recognizing one’s weaknesses offers a competitive edge, stating, “Emotional intelligence is crucial; it starts with understanding your emotions and self-awareness.”

Salami urged attendees to identify their triggers and build self-control, reinforcing the importance of self-awareness in professional growth.

He emphasized that “Our superpower lies in our willpower to choose our words and actions under pressure,” cautioning that this willpower can be weakened by the content we consume, affecting our ability to make the right choices.

The TPP boss further explained that when interacting with others, it’s essential to remember that humans are not AI or machines.

Salami pointed out that, although unintentionally, we are often raised with biases and prejudices. “What makes us powerful,” he addressed participants, “is recognizing these biases and ensuring they don’t hinder our potential.

“We must be able to collaborate with individuals of different genders, ages, colors, and races without feeling inferior or superior.”

Speaking on the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence, Gamde emphasized the necessity of pausing and assessing situations carefully. “We live in a relational world that often presents choices as black or white, but reality is much more nuanced,” she explained.

She warned that this complexity could create tension, making it difficult to navigate alone. “Understanding relationships involves knowing when to pay attention to body language, when to act as if you’re not present, and when to truly engage.”

According to Gambe, it’s about recognizing when your mind should be elsewhere and realizing that not everything requires your attention or a social media post.”

In her presentation, Adeoti shared a personal story highlighting the impact of emotional intelligence on her career.

Early on, she found herself only able to connect with peers due to how she applied her knowledge in critical situations.

She recounted how her colleagues advanced while she remained stagnant because she lacked emotional intelligence.

Adeoti soon reflected on her career journey, sharing insights from her personal experiences. “Listening to Pai, I revisited my path and will be as open as possible,” she said.

“Early in my career, I had the privilege of an academic background, growing up in a university environment. I was driven by a hunger for knowledge, believing that knowing everything was key. However, it’s not just about being knowledgeable; it’s about knowing how to apply that knowledge.”

She continued: “Without applying emotional intelligence, your progress can be unnecessarily delayed, and you’ll be compelled to learn through experience. Ultimately, you’ll realize the importance of self-awareness in relationships.”

Adeoti’s thoughts resonated with Williams who is confident that emotions significantly influence daily decision-making. “Emotions govern our decisions,” he explained.

“There are times when you purchase something and later question why you bought it. This happens because when the salesperson is present, logic fades and emotion takes over; once they leave, emotion subsides and logic returns,” he added.

Accordingly, Williams highlighted the crucial role emotions play in many of our choices, making it essential to discuss this concept as it permeates our lives.

He concluded with an analogy: “Nobody buys a Rolex just to check the time or a Mercedes merely for transportation.”