Name:
Douglas Imaralu

Where do you hail from/ where are you originally from (city, country)?
Lagos, Nigeria

Where do you currently live (city/country)?
New York City, USA

What did you study after completing high school?
English

Why did you choose to study that particular course/courses?
I didn’t choose to study English. I actually wanted Law, and started studying Law but had to drop out – it’s a long story.

Did you get any funding from an organisation cover your studies?
No

What was your first job?
Sales and Marketing Executive.

Your current job title?
Partnerships and Communications Fellow/Owner and Lead Strategist

Industry you work and a brief description of the function of your industry (if Industry is too broad i.e. Banking, please describe it in the context of your specific team)
Presently, I work in international development, youth sector to be specific. But I identify as a journalist and trisector (public, private and non-profit sectors) professional.

Are you a manager of people, if yes how many?
Presently, I do not manage a team.

What is a key leadership principle you have learnt/applied over the years in managing people?
Show people how valuable their job is…how important they are to the overall objective of the organisation and they’ll put in blood, sweat and tears. Everyone wants to feel appreciated.

Describe a typical day in your life from the time you arrive at your office? 
Presently, I work 9-5. I get to the office, at least, before 9 am. I take the train (about 30 mins) from Brooklyn to Manhattan (Chelsea). Draw up my schedule for the day and set to work.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started your first job?
Process and discipline.

There is a process that guides anything you want to achieve. Be diligent in the process and it will yield results.

Also be disciplined in the pursuit of your chosen skill. Some opportunities might come but you’ll have to turn them down. Focus on one thing at a time. But play ignorant with other things happening around you.

What challenges did you find along the way to where you are now in your career and how did you overcome them? 
Again, I’ll say discipline and process. Although, isolation is a key lesson. The challenge is discipline is hard to explain. But i’ll put it this way: it is very difficult to stay discipline in the pursuit of your dreams when you/others think you’ve been left behind. I tried as much as possible to stay true to myself and surround myself with people who are on the same journey as I am – you can call them your “tribe”. Also, understanding the season you’re in or the level you’re in in your process will help you overcome challenges. Know where you are, and although it is good to aspire, never be in a rush to be the boss. Your time will come. Keep reminding yourself. As regards isolation, sometimes you need to isolate yourself from the noise of others. A la
Steve Jobs, don’t let the noise of other drown your inner voice.

Share your secret to success, what would you say has allowed you to stand out from your peers? 
I am still in the process. Success is a process. Understanding process and your unique story helps you find your place.

What advice would you give to your younger self?
Stay focused. Understand process. You’re not in a competition. You’re unique.

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to break into your industry?
I think the first thing you have to understand is who you are – what skills, habits, interests set your apart? What’s your purpose? What do you enjoy doing? Figure that out first before thinking about getting into any industry – it’ll help you decide what industry to “break into.”