Navigating through dysfunction
Somewhere in my twenties, I was entrusted with managing a hospital team composed mostly of individuals significantly older than me—professionals who, by all standards, should have been self-regulating and modeling disciplined behaviour. Instead, I was met with repeated challenges: persistent lateness, endless excuses, a lack of self-respect, and an alarming absence of professionalism that threatened the integrity of our operations and the standards we were meant to uphold.
Despite these obstacles, I remained committed to engaging them with respect and dignity, hoping to inspire change through dialogue and empathy. Unfortunately, my efforts were met with indifference and resistance.
At a pivotal moment, I turned to a mentor for counsel. His advice was sobering but necessary: begin calling out their behaviour publicly. It was a difficult shift for me because I am naturally a diplomat, but surprisingly, this unconventional move began to yield results. Yet it wasn’t without backlash—those I held accountable responded with hostility and began orchestrating attacks against me.
Thankfully, divine intervention was my anchor. Their plots ultimately unraveled, and truth prevailed. Even some of their allies saw through the deception and courageously exposed the schemes. Through it all, I remained steadfast—and emerged with clarity, strength, and vindication.
Introspection
Have you ever been forced to honour those who dishonour the mission?
Lessons learnt
Being overly accommodating to poor behaviour invites more of it. Be fair, but firm because standards must always speak louder than fear of backlash.
Don’t wait for standards to collapse before addressing them. Nip excuses and unprofessional behaviour in the bud, especially when it threatens systems and morale.
When private correction fails, don’t shy away from public accountability. It is uncomfortable but sometimes necessary to expose patterns and protect the mission.
We can show grace and draw boundaries by balancing empathy with clear consequences. Professionalism is not optional but foundational.
When under attack for doing the right thing, stay anchored in your values. The fog clears eventually and those with integrity will stand by you.
Serenity
Respect isn’t owed to dysfunction—it’s earned through discipline. Therefore, calling out chaos isn’t cruelty but leadership.
May we have the boldness to maintain standards. Amen
Amen
During my time at MRS. Cudjoe Maternity Home at EffiaKuma,I encountered a challenging situation with a client. She consistently questioned my competence, creating a stressful environment where I felt undermined. Despite knowing my responsibilities, I was pressured to apologize. The following morning, she acknowledged her behavior, stating, ‘I gave you a tough time yesterday.’ I chose to acknowledge her statement with silence, prioritizing my own well-being in that moment. The experience served as a reminder that professional life can present difficult interpersonal dynamics, and that sometimes, choosing how to respond is as important as the work itself.