Funke Felix Adejumo is the president of Funke Felix Adejumo Foundation. She is an accomplished pastor and teacher with deep insight into God’s word. Her unique unction and utterance have endowed her to the hearts of millions of people that have listened to her at conferences and seminars around the world.
What is the greatest challenge you have faced or are facing as a woman in leadership?
According to a report by Pew Research- Today, only 26 women are in CEO roles at Fortune 500 companies, making up 5.2% of the female population. The statistics stay virtually the same for women CEOs of Fortune 1000 companies at 5.4%, showing that there is little movement of women making up high-ranking positions as leaders.
Therefore, getting to the top remains a great challenge for women around the world but for me staying relevant has posed a greater challenge. We live in a fast-paced society where things are evolving so quickly- literally at the dawning of each day things are changing- so in order to remain relevant there’s a strong need to stay abreast of the latest developments in my fields of operation and beyond.
What is something that you do that helps you to meet or deal with this challenge?
The challenge to stay relevant does not have a single dose of medicine. There are a plethora of ways to overcome this challenge, but I have found that the ones that have worked for me are: Research/Staying informed, Embracing technology, Being open to the use of social media, and most importantly seeking the face of God.
The God factor is my greatest asset in life- I am cognizant of the fact that my rising is not as a result of my own ability, personal intelligence and intellectual capacity. It is all by the grace of the almighty God, and since He’s the one that placed me here, He is also the one I run to in times of challenges and He always answers me- He is my ultimate source of calm and peace.
Do you have any other advice or encouragement for women in leadership?
Over the years I have realized how pride has pushed many achievers on a downward spiral. The bible teaches us that pride comes before a fall, so a gem of advice that I would give to other women leaders is that they should stay humble. Humility is the ability to be without pride or arrogance and it is the main character that should be seen in a woman who is occupying any leadership role. The book of Proverbs is filled with warnings of those who choose to be prideful- God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.
Lastly, women in leadership should consciously strive to create a healthy balance between family life and work. The traditional role of a woman is to manage the home front. So, when a woman is privileged to be a leader in whatever capacity outside the home they must not neglect their husbands and children. It is not enough to be a success out there; women must also succeed at home. The children you nurture today will nourish you tomorrow.
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June 27, 2018 at 4:54 pm
In your interview with this influential leader, you’ve highlighted a common challenge experienced by women in leadership — achieving harmony between a time-consuming leadership role and authentic and deep engagement in family relationships.
As structures and gender role expectations change in broader society, these are becoming issues for men as well as for women, as men are also becoming increasingly concerned about work/life balance.
See this recent Forbes article titled: “Dads: We want work-life balance, too.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bethbraverman/2015/10/04/dads-we-want-work-life-balance-too/#2a36f43b3c32
Do you think structures/expectations will need to change to ensure both women and men have full opportunities to both engage in leadership in the workplace, and be fully involved at home?
Any thoughts on the author’s suggestion that parents leave work “early” at 6 pm, and then get back on email after the kids are in bed? Does that strike you as work-life balance?
Braverman, B. (2015). Dads: We want work-life balancem too.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bethbraverman/2015/10/04/dads-we-want-work-life-balance-too/#2a36f43b3c32
July 7, 2018 at 2:21 pm
Thank you for highlighting this influential female leader. I am challenged by her comments on remaining relevant. Certainly the technological challenges of this course, and my teenage/young adult daughters have highlighted for me that I am not relevant in all areas of my world. However, I am often challenged with how to remain relevant yet still remain called out from and separate from the world as the Bible commands us in various Scriptures. Do you also find this to be a balancing act?
July 9, 2018 at 3:37 am
I absolutely agree that organizational structures and expectations are changing to ensure that women and men have full opportunities to engage in leadership in the workplace and be fully involved at home. Corroborating Braverman’s (2015) article about dad’s demanding more work-life balance, the issue of paternity leave which could have been unthinkable only a few years ago, is already being actively discussed in my home country Nigeria.
However, I believe that due to their natural inclinations or tendencies, women would always feel a deeper sense of commitment to the needs of the family especially towards children, than men. I believe that this does not diminish the legitimate needs which more men now have towards being more involved with their families. Further, it should not imply that women alone must bear the enormous responsibilities of supporting the home front physically.
Interestingly, as suggested by both Northouse’s (2016) study and Braverman’s (2015) article, the time taken away from work due to family duties could affect the positions and potential career advancement of both women and men alike. Indeed, the practice of getting home early at 6 pm and working online after the kids sleep which women have long practiced could also be adopted by men to help them find that work/life balance as well.