Segun Cadmus: Culture Rule 2, Letters From a Mentor

Segun Cadmus: Culture Rule 2, Letters From a Mentor

Dear Mentee,

I’m sure you have begun to get an idea about my life, and the rules i created, so you can learn from my triumphs and mistakes.

Can you still recall Culture Rule 1 ?, “Make sure what you know is complete and correct”.

Well, the next story you are about to read is a tragic one, although it was this experience that helped me create the next Culture rule

Culture Rule 2: If they don’t qualify, pay little attention to them.

I met my lovely future wife 62 years ago at a business convention. She studied Mass communication, and later got a Masters degree in Psychology. She was very spontaneous and fun to be with. In fact you will notice her presence anywhere. It was that trait that got my attention

We dated for 3 years, and got married on her 29th birthday. It was a really romantic experience. As we danced together and held each other so closely, i looked deep into her eyes and knew this was the lady created just for me

My wife loved kids; she was always volunteering to babysit for her friends and colleagues. She called it “Getting a crash course for motherhood”

We tried for 5 years to have a child; and after a lot of patience and prayer, my wife conceived.

She checked her progress with the doctor constantly, and we were told we were going to have twins.

God is good you might say, He always has a way for rewarding those who diligently seek him.

My wife was 7 months pregnant, and already began to shop and plan for their arrival in 2 months time.

On the 8th month, her friends decided to throw my wife a mini baby shower celebration during the weekend. I decided to leave the house for all of them; the last person they wanted in the house was me. I would spend my weekend at work in the office

It was about 8.00pm at night when i got a call from one of my wife’s friends, they told me my wife is being rushed to the hospital. They told me that she started bleeding heavy 10minutes ago, so they drove her to the nearby hospital, the one right across our house

I tried to get to the hospital as quick i could, i needed to be by her side while she faced this strange ordeal.

Once i located where she was, the doctor told me she had gone into pre-mature labour but suddenly fainted while trying to give birth.

They had to do a C-section for her, to save the babies……………………………….but both babies didn’t make it.

It was a tragic loss for us; after trying and waiting for so long, only to loose them this way.

What happened????

My wife was to stay in the hospital for a week; all our family friends and colleagues came round to pay their respects

By the time she was discharged and arrived at home, i decided to have a one on one talk with her.

She was alright when i left her with her friends, only to be told 2 hours later that she was being rushed to the hospital

My wife told me that they all were talking about babies and how wonderful it would be, to finally be a mother

Then, one of her friends began to describe what going into labour was like; the pain, the blood, and all the strange feelings that a woman goes through to give birth to one baby, not to talk of giving birth to twins. Most likely, the ordeal would be double

Her friend’s description was so vivid and real; all of a sudden, my wife’s blood pressure skyrocketed. She began to bleed, and was rushed to the hospital. When she went into labour, she was so scared of going through delivery pain her friend described, she fainted.

Then i asked her the ultimate question; “HAS THAT FRIEND OF YOURS GIVEN BIRTH TO BABIES BEFORE?”

My wife said her friend has never given birth to babies before.

“So, why would you pay any attention or take advice from a person who doesn’t know what it means to be in your shoes?”

This tragic event made me vow, only those who qualify, would i pay attention to. Before i make any decisions, i would take the extra effort to get the information from the RIGHT and BEST SOURCE

My dear child, i know so many people, who take advice from people who don’t qualify to advise them on what they need to know.

Moves like these have ended marriages, destroyed businesses, broken relationships and friendships.

We learnt our lesson the hard way and it took another 2 years before my wife could conceive again;

when she did, this time we did the right thing.

So i now got my next letter A’ Ask the Right and Best Source’

Dear Mentee, the right and best source are those who have experience or expertise in the area you need guidance. They are able to advice you, because they know what it means to be in your shoes. They understand your pain and situation.

I agree, often times, these people are not available, so we settle for those around us to get advice. This is a wrong move. Please think about what you have read, don’t end up like me.

This is a tough one to take, i know in due time, Culture Rule 2: If they don’t qualify, pay little attention to them, will settle in your mind and you will begin to apply it

In my next letter, i would tell you how i got the next Letter for the Culture Matrix

Remember, your culture is everything

Love

Mentor

Yewande Jinadu

Yewande Jinadu is the Founder of CareerLife Nigeria(careerlife.com.ng) and also a Strategic HR Business Partner of a leading tech firm. She's a certified HR Professional with a mix of Generalist and Specialist Experience who supports the business to achieve it's goals through the people. Her strengths are in Talent Acquisition, Performance Management, Employee Engagement, Organization Development and Employer Branding. Her social initiative, CareerLife Foundation solving UN SDG Goal 8 is aimed at reducing unemployment by helping graduates and professionals become Employable and accelerate their career growth. With various awards won both locally and globally, her vision is to help millions of youths achieve measurable success in their career. Yewande holds the Senior Professional of Human Resources International (SPHRi) Certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), USA. She is an associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (ACIPM) and has a Practitioners License to practice HR in Nigeria. She's the Convener of the Employability Fitness Program, an initiative aimed at helping young graduates overcome interview Phobia and the barriers in Recruitment process through mentoring. She is a public speaker and has been featured on various media platforms including: BellaNaija, SheLeadsAfrica, GuardianWoman, Women of Rubies etc Some of her recognitions include: Top 50 Career Influencers in Africa by The Workbooth Magazine and also a the top 10 Platinum members of Career Influencers. Top 150 Global HR Influencer by Social Micole. Top 100 Career Women in Nigeria by 9to5Chick Top 30 Leading Women in HR by Worden HCD You can reach out to her by sending a mail to: info@careerlife.com.ng and follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @careerlifeng

3 thoughts on “Segun Cadmus: Culture Rule 2, Letters From a Mentor

  1. Wow, awesome piece!!! I love this so much. It felt like I was reading a novel.
    Lesson learnt: If they don’t qualify, pay little attention to them(the right and best source are those who have experience or expertise in the area you need guidance). Thank you so much!!!

  2. Really interesting and motivating write up. @Yewande thank you for creating such a platform where useful knowledge is being shared

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