Name: Gloria Ogaganyefe

Title: CEO and Diction Coach

Organisation: Hi-brid Voices Academy

Gloria Ogaganyefe is the CEO of Hi-brid Voices Academy, a certified elocution instructor, communication expert, and voiceover talent. Her passion for media and its impact on people led her to study Mass Communications at Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria. During her studies, she volunteered with various organizations and radio stations, including the Social Science Students' Association and Nnamdi Azikiwe Radio Station, to hone her communication skills.

After completing her studies, Gloria pursued training in teaching and became a part-time teacher at Gracezeal International Academy while studying at an elocution academy. She also volunteered as media personnel for the United States Latino America Chamber of Commerce (USLACC) Africa.

Gloria established Hi-brid Voices Academy, an institution dedicated to providing basic school and individuals extensive education on phonics, diction, and elocution skills, as well as educational materials. She also trained at various foreign online schools specializing in Elocution and Communication. She has trained numerous students, teachers, and individuals, authored two books for children's Phonics Funday, and has three more books in progress.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Leadership!

I hope Gloria's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Delegation. As a perfectionist, I believe everything should be flawless, and plans should have as few mistakes as possible. As a leader, this belief influences my daily interactions with my team. Delegating tasks can be difficult because, if the right person is not assigned, expectations may not be met, and mistakes can occur. A successful leader is not just someone who manages a team, but one who surrounds themselves with the right people and builds a strong, capable team.

The first time I led a small team of five for a school project, I was not satisfied with the results. I wanted perfection, so I redid the entire project by myself, even though it was hectic. Over time, I realized this was not the best approach. The team should have a chance to contribute. In the next project, I clearly explained my expectations, supervised and the results exceeded my expectations.

Delegation is challenging, but when done right by assigning tasks to the right people, explaining expectations, and supervising, it becomes more effective.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I have always had a natural charisma that made people trust me with responsibilities. Whether leading a school debate team or an assignment, I was often chosen to take charge.

My first significant leadership experience came while studying Communication at the university. A vacancy for a Public Relations Officer (PRO) opened in my faculty's student association. I contested and was elected as the association's PRO, becoming the first female to hold the position.

Leading a team of five public relations officers, we were responsible for ensuring the timely and accurate dissemination of information to the approximately 5,000 students in our faculty. At first, I felt both excited and apprehensive, but I focused on fulfilling my duties and working closely with my team. By the end of my tenure, we achieved significant results.

The experience built my confidence and inspired other women to take on leadership roles, with my successor also being female. It was a rewarding journey that taught me the value of teamwork, resilience, and leading with purpose.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

From Monday to Wednesday, my mornings start at 5:00 am with 30 minutes of meditation to clear my mind and plan my day, followed by a light workout to kickstart the week. By 8:00 am, I am at my part-time teaching job, handling diction and elocution classes until noon. I either rest at home or stay at the office to work on my book, update my journal, or attend meetings. Evenings are for unwinding with dinner, reading three chapters of my current book, and occasionally writing before bed.

Thursdays and Fridays are more flexible since I do not teach physically. Mornings are for intensive workouts like running, followed by creative activities such as writing or painting. By noon, I focus on online teaching, meetings with my team or business partners, and volunteer work. Afternoons sometimes include attending webinars or consulting mentors about research topics I am exploring.

On weekends I spend time on hobbies like reading, cooking, painting and going to church service while connecting with loved ones through phone calls. Though my schedule can be overwhelming at times, my timetable ensures I stay on track and make meaningful progress every day.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

Communication is not just about passing information but about how it is conveyed to achieve a desired result. Convincing people to take a particular action can be challenging, depending on the action, the individuals involved, and the approach used.

Growing up in Nigeria, where women are often underrepresented in leadership, taught me the importance of understanding the people you lead. Leading a team with both men and women can require sensitivity, as this can influence collaboration. Resistance, especially from men, can arise, but effective communication rooted in understanding and mutual respect can help navigate such challenges.

While volunteering with the United States Latino American Chamber of Commerce, I led a voiceover group consisting of more women than men. One male member expressed dissatisfaction with this. I listened and reassured him of his value. To demonstrate this, I found a script for him to voice and integrated it into our work, even though it was not part of the original plan.

The result was remarkable. He contributed meaningfully, gained voiceover skills, and expressed gratitude for being part of the team. This experience reaffirmed that effective communication goes beyond words it is about ensuring people feel seen, heard, and valued, fostering collaboration and success.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so

far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman is essential for anyone aspiring to be an effective leader. Leadership is more than giving orders; it involves understanding your team, communicating effectively, and influencing actions for the benefit of all. Goleman's insights emphasize the importance of the Emotional Quotient (EQ) over the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in leadership.

I first read the book in high school, but its lessons became invaluable when I was elected Public Relations Officer (PRO) of my association. As the only female, I faced criticism and doubts about my capabilities. Calmly and confidently, I addressed questions with responses like Who better to manage communication than someone studying communication? This approach, rooted in self-awareness and emotional control, eased doubts and built trust.

The book taught me that empathy and emotional intelligence are critical to navigating challenges, influencing others, and excelling as a leader.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

Be a good listener and maintain an open-door policy. Many people think that being a boss and being a leader are the same, but they are not. A leader seeks to inspire and motivate people rather than simply giving orders. The only way to inspire and motivate is by understanding others, and the best way to achieve that is by being welcoming and listening. You may not always need to act on what they say, but just listening helps build mutual trust and respect. By being approachable, you cultivate an environment that fosters excellent leadership.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far? While working as a Diction instructor, I managed two workers in different schools. I had arranged for educational materials to be delivered to both schools in advance. However, my trusted supplier, for reasons beyond my control, failed to deliver the materials on time. This left me in a tight spot both schools were pressuring me, my workers were growing anxious, and the students were left waiting.

This experience taught me a critical lesson: being a good leader requires more than planning and execution. It involves being cautious about who you rely on, as their actions can impact your reputation. With no alternative supplier and the payment already made, I had to act quickly.

Drawing on my knowledge and expertise, I decided to improvise. I drafted a curriculum closely aligned with the undelivered materials. My team and I implemented this temporary curriculum, ensuring the students would not miss out. When the original materials eventually arrived, we seamlessly transitioned back, and to my relief, no one noticed the switch. The schools were satisfied, my workers were reassured, and the students excelled. Interestingly, the curriculum I created during this challenge later became the foundation for my own book.

This experience reinforced a valuable truth: challenges often present opportunities to grow and innovate. As a leader, it's essential to act decisively, improvise when needed, and maintain high standards. Doing your best will always leave a positive impact.