By Olajide Hamzat
In my last week’s column, I briefly explored Malcolm Gladwell’s best-selling book entitled: ‘David and Goliath’. Writing about the book, I contended that the author, Gladwell spoke about how to turn weaknesses to strengths and how an underdog or misfit can turn the tide and take over from the giants without realizing the enormity of their power and without changing much about their situations or predicaments. As an aside, I equally walked lovers, friends and readers through a brief history of Governor Seyi Makinde’s political rise in the state and how he turned obstacles into stepping stones instead of allowing challenges to stand in the ways of his progress and eventual electoral success.
In essence, I rounded up by noting that Amofin Beulah Adeoye has always demonstrated such resilience and strengths whenever confronted by obstacles and challenges planted in his way by fate or providence. For one, I enthused that Malcolm Gladwell, in his book argued that unconventional advantages – like nimbleness and adaptability – can overcome apparent challenges. I added that the book challenges notions of power and success, emphasizing resilience and innovative thinking”. This week, I want to pick another important part of Gladwell’s book that resonates deeply with Amofin Beulah Adeoye: The Big Pond, Small Fish hypothesis. To understand this better, let us digress a little. As a primary school pupil, I was exposed early to the biblical story of David and Goliath.
That a small boy could bring down a giant with a slingshot captured my imagination. Underlying that story though, was the power of faith and preparation when faced with oversize obstacles. In effect, I grew up with the conviction that any giant can be brought its knees with faith and work. In retrospect, I posited that for Amofin Beulah Adeoye, no story captures his rise from the staff quarters of the University of Ibadan to global rise than the David and Goliath. That he has mastered the art of turning weaknesses to strengths and continues to emerge stronger in the face of obstacles. “That he is reinventing the wheel of adaptive leadership in the state political landscape is not an accident.
Back to the Big Fish and Small Pond hypothesis. As part of Malcolm Gladwell’s postulation in David and Goliath, this hypothesis claims that individuals can appear more talented or exceptional when they are in a small, less competitive environment (small point) compared to when they are in a larger, more competitive setting (big pond). In a small pond, for instance, individuals may stand out more easily and receive more recognition for their skills or accomplishments, whereas in a big pond, the competition can be greater, brutal and fiercer, making it harder for individuals to distinguish themselves.
Perhaps, this position suggests that context and environment play crucial roles in how talent and success are perceived. As an exceptional and excellent player in the corporate world, Amofin Beulah Adeoye brings to the table a remarkable wealth of knowledge, experience and exposure that can only serve as a catalyst for the growth and development of Oyo State. That is not all.
His ability to dare greatly regardless of his situations and circumstances indeed stand him out as one of a kind who disruptive and unconventional leader in the state and beyond. For someone that has played in the global arena as a corporate legal luminary, he’s undaunted about overcoming any challenges and obstacles that will come his way in any new task and assignment.
Olajide Hamzat writes about the various prospect and potential of Oyo state while projecting Amofin Beulah Adeoye as a solution provider, problem solver and creative, adaptive and innovative leader and thinker with compassion and empathy.
