Soft faces aren’t the ones that achieve high standards. There is a standard for companies that doesn’t bend, a line that cannot be crossed and patience is not allowed to keep. It’s not cruelty to have a refusal to settle for less than “the best” – it’s the fuel that makes legacy possible. This razor-sharp edge of ambition Folorunsho Alakija captured with a clarity that was characteristic:
“I am impatient with mediocrity. Anyone working with me needs to step in line or I move on without them”.
What did Alakija Mean by this?
Alakija is making a clear and strong distinction between being present and contributing. To her, mediocrity is not simply being untalented, but somewhat a silent choice to live for the bare minimum. It presents a “friction” factor in a motor, reducing momentum until the whole project comes to a halt. If you accept it, you are saying that you agree with it.
She compares professional alignment to a marching band: “Every step has to be in time with the vision. If someone falls out of pace, you either slow down so that they can catch up or go on without them. But for those with an exceptional vision, the luxury of waiting is not an option.
Who is Folorunsho Alakija?
The Lagos-born Folorunsho Alakija, a self-made woman, worked as a secretary before becoming a fashion designer, and eventually a contestant in the oil industry. She is one of Africa’s first female billionaires, who charted new economic avenues without abandoning her principles. This ascendance was characterized by her dedication to quality and speed, particularly when such was not the standard.
Her visibility in the public space is the result of a strong faith and an insatiable discipline. She does not consider her strictness a fault, but rather a core attitude for creating a sustainable business. Her life proves that nothing comes easily to someone who is determined to have a big goal.
Why the Words of Folorunsho Alakija Cut Deep.
In the modern work culture there is a tendency to equate empathy with a lowering of standards. With consensus building sometimes holding up action in a world of great projects, her words remind you of the power to make decisions. The value of the standard she sets echoes the conflict between individual comfort and the collective achievement.
Imagine the way tech startups or top creative teams function in today’s world. One of the key differentiators between a leader in the industry and a niche competitor is that the leader will not settle for “good enough. Courage to unplug from anything that impedes the journey is the key to understanding vs belief in one’s mission.
What this quote is really asking of you…
This is an invitation to look at where you’re exchanging momentum for discomfort. Are you lowering yourself to fit in with others, or are you keeping your standards for what you believe you can achieve?
The obvious lesson to be learned is that there’s a difference between good and great, and that good is where the lines are. To do extraordinary things you must be ready to make it a point that not all will follow your speed. Are you going to allow their laziness to be your stopping point?
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