Lessons Learned - Think Like an Underdog
I have been fascinated by underdogs and rags-to-riches stories for as long as I can remember. From the likes of Madonna to JK Rowling to Oprah Winfrey and many more. What I loved most about these real life stories is that it's based on stories of outsiders, real people who overcame adversity and went on to achieve unimaginable dreams and goals. The story of the underdog has always inspired me to push for my goals and shaped the way I think. Those who know me, know I do not give up easily.
The road to success is rarely smooth or straightforward, and for that reason thinking conventionally may not be enough to become successful. The less talked about side of success is littered with many stories of failed projects, unfinished books and unsuccessful businesses, etc. As much as I am very wary of quick fixes, and steps for success, the reality is that one of the key ingredients for success is tenacity and determination. To achieve anything you have to overcome the fear of rejection and failure. Very hard in reality but with a bit of practice you can master it. This is certainly the case for both Jack Ma and Stephen King, two tenacious individuals who faced numerous setbacks on their respective journeys to success.
From failing his Chinese college entrance exam twice to being rejected from 31 different entry-level jobs, Jack Ma's journey to success was anything but easy. However, Ma refused to let these rejections define him, and instead, he persisted in pursuing his dreams. His dedication paid off when he founded Hangzhou Haibo Translation Agency, which eventually led to the establishment of Alibaba, one of the world's largest online marketplaces.
Similarly, Stephen King, one of the most successful and prolific writers of our time, also faced numerous rejections and failures early on in his career. King's first novel, "Carrie," was rejected by over 30 publishers before finally being picked up by Doubleday and the rest they say is history. Despite these setbacks, both Ma and King continued to persevere and eventually found success in their respective fields.
When we think of underdogs, we often picture those who have been overlooked, underestimated and counted out. These individuals face significant challenges, whether it be a lack of resources, entrenched biases, or systemic obstacles. Yet, as Malcolm Gladwell points out in his book "David and Goliath," it is precisely these challenges that can give underdogs an advantage.
Here are some tips on how to think like an underdog.
Recognise that there is always more to learn and that you don't have all the answers. Be open to feedback and criticism, and use it as an opportunity to grow and improve. Underdogs often learn more from failure than from success. When something does not work out rather than see it as the end or become frustrated and give up, they see it as the beginning of a new opportunity. Perception matters a lot. Always think of the glass as being half full instead of half empty.
As an underdog, you may not have all the resources or advantages that your competitors have. Instead of dwelling on what you don't have, focus on making the most of what you do have. Say no to self-limiting beliefs and limitations. Channel the power of creativity, and use your creativity and resourcefulness to find new solutions and opportunities and build new tables. I recall when I decided to start a sports law practice having very little idea about what it entails. I read up as much as I could, followed all the right people on social media and began to write and share opinions and network aggressively and consistently. It took time but eventually, things began to fall into place.
Facing setbacks and obstacles in life is inevitable, but it's how you respond to them that matters. Underdogs have nothing to lose because they literally ‘started from the bottom’. Whilst your case is hopefully not as extreme, you can never underestimate the power of positive thinking and doggedness, remain focused on your goals, and be persistent in pursuing them.
Underdogs spend a lot of time being misunderstood and underrated but their enviable quality is the authenticity they bring to the table every time. Whilst most of us struggle with acceptance, underdogs figured out the essence of who they are before most people do. Authenticity begins with acceptance of yourself which is a key ingredient for success. Have the courage to be disliked eventually the world will catch up as long as there is growth and positivity in your style of authenticity. At the end of the day, underdogs will always find their tribe and their tribe will always find them.
Underdogs also understand the importance of persistence. They know that setbacks and failures are not the end of the road, but rather opportunities to learn and grow. Take the story of J.K. Rowling, who faced numerous rejections before finally finding a publisher for her first Harry Potter novel. Rowling could have given up after the first, second, or even third rejection, but she persisted in pursuing her dream, eventually becoming one of the best-selling authors of all time.
Thinking like an underdog is not just about overcoming challenges and obstacles, but also about leveraging one's unique perspective and experiences to find success. By embracing resourcefulness, persistence, and authenticity, underdogs can achieve remarkable things, inspiring others to do the same
Women’s History Month Specials
This is the final week of Womens History Month and its been great exploring the amazing women of Africa so far. We hope they have all inspired you in some way. For this final week we are featuring two more great women, Uche Pedro from Nigeria and Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch from the Kingdom of Morocco.
Uche Pedro
Uche Pedro, born Uchenna Jennifer Eze, is a Nigerian media tech entrepreneur known for founding BellaNaija, a brand that has become the largest media platform on the African continent, with over 200 million impressions each month. Her journey began after she finished her degree in Honors Business Administration from the Ivey Business School in 2006. She had worked for Shell Canada and Cadbury before establishing BellaNaija in July of that year.
Uche was inspired to create something that represented the exciting young vibe in Nigeria, especially the growing improvements in fashion, entertainment, and business, after experiencing boredom while on holiday in Canada. Her vision quickly became a reality when she established a parent company, BainStone Limited, focused on managing and developing innovative online media content for Africans. Her efforts paid off when BainStone Limited was chosen among 50 high potential SMEs and awarded the British Airways Opportunity Grant.
Uche's passion for making a positive impact on her community led her to launch the #BNDoGood initiative, which supports various non-profit and social impact organizations, including Junior Achievement Nigeria and LEAP Africa. In 2018, she co-founded PVCitizen to encourage millennials and Generation Z to register to vote and become active citizens. She was also recognized for her efforts to protect the rights of every girl child and her contribution to the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria, receiving an ELOY Award for Innovation/Invention and a Frown Award by UNFPA/UNICEF.
Uche's dedication and hard work have earned her numerous accolades, including being named the British Council International Young Media Entrepreneur of the Year for Nigeria in 2013, being listed among Forbes Magazine's 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa in 2014 and 2015, and being recognized as one of the Most Influential CEOs of 2015 by Ventures Africa. She was also invited to the Obama Foundation Summit and participated in the Stanford Seed Transformation Program. With her achievements and her unwavering commitment to making a difference, Uche Pedro is undoubtedly a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs and a source of inspiration for many.
Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch
As a highly successful businesswoman and entrepreneur, Salwa Idrissi Akhannouch has made significant contributions to the world of retail, cosmetics, luxury goods and malls. She is the founder and current president of Aksal Holding, a Moroccan company that has gained a remarkable reputation in the industry. In recognition of her accomplishments, Salwa has been named the "Morocco's Leading Lady of Luxury Goods" by OZY in 2017.
Salwa's professional journey began in 2001 when she entered into an agreement with the Spanish group Inditex. Three years later, she inaugurated the first Zara flagship in Africa. Since then, Aksal has secured exclusive franchise rights for several renowned brands in Morocco, including Zara, Banana Republic, Pull & Bear, and Gap. Over the years, Salwa has signed 23 franchise agreements with major international groups such as LVMH, PPR, Inditex, Richemont, Gap Inc., Fnac, and The Estée Lauder Companies, among others. In 2011, she opened the Morocco Mall, the second-largest shopping center in Africa, and created the AKSAL Academy to train individuals for careers in retail. Her latest venture, Yan&One, is her own brand dedicated to beauty, and she launched her new smart beauty and cosmetics store for the brand in Morocco Mall in 2017.
Salwa's personal life is equally noteworthy. She is the second-highest-ranking woman in Morocco after Princess Lalla Salma, the Princess Consort, and is married to Aziz Akhannouch, who took office as Prime Minister of Morocco in 2021. As a result, Salwa now holds the title of the country's First Lady. Together, they have three children.
In recognition of her outstanding achievements, Salwa has been honored with numerous awards and accolades. Forbes named her one of the Top 10 "Women Behind Middle Eastern Brands" in 2020, and Business of Fashion Magazine ranked her among the "Fashion Industry's 500 Most Influential Women" in 2018. The Africa Report also recognized her as one of the "Most Influential Women in Business in Africa" in 2017. Moreover, she received the Arab Woman of the Year Award for "Achievement in Business" in 2016, and Arabian Business ranked her 8th among the 100 most powerful Arab businesswomen in 2015.
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