Why smart people are often misunderstood, by Ruth Oji
I once watched a brilliant colleague present research findings to a group of stakeholders who had commissioned the work. She was articulate, precise, and thoroughly prepared. Her slides were models of clarity. Her argument was logically structured. She defined her terms carefully and supported every claim with evidence. Fifteen minutes into the presentation, I could see […]
The million-Naira mistake: Why 30 seconds of clarity can save you hours of regret, by Ruth Oji
Dear readers, Let me tell you about Chidi. Chidi works for a logistics company in Lagos. Last month, his manager sent him a quick message: “We need those containers moved to the warehouse by Friday.” Simple enough, right? Chidi assumed his manager meant the company’s main warehouse in Apapa. He organized the trucks, coordinated with […]
Apply Structured Reasoning to Your Speaking and Writing, by Ruth Oji
Three months ago, a brilliant software engineer lost a promotion he’d been working toward for two years. His technical skills were exceptional. His project portfolio was impressive. But when he stood before the executive team to pitch his vision for a new product line, he began with a tangent about his university research, jumped to customer […]
When roommates stop talking: Communication skills that save shared spaces, by Ruth Oji
It started with dishes. Just a few cereal bowls left in the sink. But by week three, neither roommate was speaking—they were leaving passive-aggressive notes instead. By month two, one had moved out, and both felt blindsided. The irony? They could have resolved everything with one honest conversation. I hear versions of this story constantly from […]
The ethics of persuasion, by Ruth Oji
Last month, I received an email from a marketing executive who was wrestling with her conscience. Her company had developed a new software product that was genuinely innovative, but her boss wanted her to create a campaign that exaggerated its capabilities and downplayed its limitations. “Ruth,” she wrote, “I know how to persuade people. I’m good […]
The art of pitching: How to defend your startup idea with confidence, by Ruth Oji
I’ll never forget the first time I watched a brilliant entrepreneur completely fumble their pitch. The idea was revolutionary—a solution that could genuinely change lives. But within three minutes of presenting to potential investors, the room had gone cold. This was not because the idea lacked merit, but because the founder couldn’t articulate why it mattered. […]
