The Power of My Second Chance: My Journey to Agile Leadership
I was 21 when I realized my life was slipping away from me.
Born to a single mother after my father passed away before I was born, life was always a bit of a struggle. But it wasn’t until my final year of university that things took a darker turn. I found myself surrounded by the wrong crowd, making poor decisions, and losing sight of my future. I started gambling, looking for quick fixes, a way to escape. The dreams I once had — of success, of making something meaningful of my life — felt so distant that I almost gave up entirely.
Then, something changed. I failed my final-year courses and hit a rock bottom that forced me to face the truth: I was squandering my potential.
That moment — feeling the weight of wasted opportunities — shook me to my core. I realized I was on the brink of becoming yet another person who never lived up to their potential. But instead of sinking further, I made a promise to myself. I would take control of my life. I would surround myself with positive influences, people who pushed me to grow. I would rediscover my purpose.
I got a second chance at life, and I grabbed it with both hands.
A Turning Point: Discovering the Power of Potential
This was more than just a personal victory. It became the foundation of my life’s mission: helping others see that they, too, have untapped potential waiting to be unleashed.
Soon after graduating, I began teaching in a government-underfunded school in Nigeria. The students there reminded me of my own struggle — bright minds limited by circumstances beyond their control. These children had the potential for greatness, but many of them were held back by illiteracy, their parents’ beliefs, or simple lack of resources.
Every day, I saw firsthand the tragic reality that Dr. Myles Munroe once described: the richest place on earth is the cemetery, where untapped potential is buried. These kids, like so many others, had talent and abilities they might never get to express. And that broke my heart.
It also gave me purpose. If I could help even one person unlock their potential, I knew I could make a difference.
Why Agile Coaching? A Path to Maximizing Potential
This deep belief in human potential is what drives my passion for agile coaching. Agile coaching, at its heart, is about creating the conditions for individuals and teams to thrive — to grow, adapt, and become their best selves.
For me, agile is more than just a framework for managing projects or improving efficiency. It’s a way of life. It’s about empowering people to face challenges head-on, to learn from every failure, and to continuously improve. Just like I had to do during my darkest days, agile encourages teams to embrace change, adapt quickly, and learn from their experiences.
In my current role, I’ve made it my personal mission to help my colleagues maximize their potential, just as I was helped when I needed it most. Through voluntary coaching sessions and deep conversations, I guide them to see their own strengths, to recognize that even setbacks are opportunities for growth.
Agile Leadership: Leading with Heart
What I’ve learned through my journey is that leadership is not about telling people what to do. It’s about empowering them to discover what they’re capable of. In an agile environment, leadership is about building a culture where people feel safe to take risks, to fail, and to grow. It’s about guiding teams through uncertainty, helping them adapt quickly, and supporting them every step of the way.
The best leaders are those who recognize the potential in others and are willing to help them unlock it. This is what I aspire to do, not just as a coach, but as someone who has walked the path of transformation. I know what it’s like to feel lost and directionless, and I know the power of a second chance. That’s what I want to bring to the teams and organizations I work with — the chance to grow beyond what they think is possible.
The Future of Work Is Agile
The world of work is changing. Technology, market shifts, and new ways of thinking are transforming the way we do business. Traditional leadership styles and rigid structures are no longer enough. Organizations need to be flexible, adaptive, and ready to evolve.
Agile coaching is the key to navigating this new reality. It empowers teams to respond to change, fosters a culture of continuous learning, and unlocks the potential of every individual. Just as I’ve seen in my own life, when people are given the tools and support they need, they can accomplish extraordinary things.
For me, this isn’t just about agile processes or methodologies. It’s about people. It’s about ensuring that no potential goes untapped, that no one is left behind. My own story — from hitting rock bottom to finding my way — is a reminder that we all have more to offer than we realize. And through agile coaching, I want to help others discover that too.
