Name: Tella Fatai

Title: Chief Operating Officer

Organisation: The Alternative Bank

I’m Tella Fatai, a dynamic professional with over 24 years of experience driving innovation, operational excellence, and transformational change in the financial sector. A lifelong learner, I hold a B.Sc., M.Sc., and MBA from the University of Lagos, complemented by executive education from INSEAD, Cambridge, Columbia, Oxford, and LBS.

Passionate about changing narratives and empowering future leaders, I share practical insights through my weekly LinkedIn articles, inspiring creativity, challenging conventional thinking, and encouraging personal and professional growth. My journey is fueled by curiosity, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

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

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

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

What I find most challenging is the fact that people absorb information differently. Some prefer structured classroom training, others thrive with hands-on experience, like a one-on-one conversation, while some prefer articles shared and subsequent debriefing. In summary, the challenge is tailoring your style to a different set of people

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I think for me, it’s a moment of self-reflection, a couple of years ago. I came to the realization that I have been a beneficiary of great educational leaders who have taught and molded me into what I am today and I felt I should give back too. Additionally, I realized that what matters most at the end of the day, or in my career, is how many people have directly impacted and made them better or great people. Life is not about the number of years but the number of impacts, to put it nicely.

So, I started sharing my thoughts and experiences on LinkedIn and other professional platforms, and started getting a lot of positive feedback on my weekly articles, This has inspired me. That’s my story.

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

I’m an early riser—my day typically starts at 4 AM. I begin with some stretches before heading out for my run or fast-paced walk, covering around 8–10 km. Once I’m back, I shower, pray, and get ready for work.

During my drive, I mentally prepare for the day, mapping out my key tasks. As soon as I arrive at the office, I script them out, ensuring clarity and focus. The first two hours of my workday are sacred—I spend them alone, tackling strategic issues and working on creative, innovative solutions with maximum concentration. After that, I dive into the day’s flow—emails, meetings, and ongoing tasks.

By noon, I take a walk around the office to refresh my mind and catch up with colleagues before getting back to work and clearing out my to-do list. I typically wrap up around 5 PM. Evenings are for unwinding. Once I get home, I take an hour to rest—no phone, just time to cool off. After a light dinner, I spend some time on LinkedIn and other educational platforms, keeping up with new knowledge and trends. By 9:30 PM, I’m in bed, ready to recharge for the next day.

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

It is the power of listening, and this has led me to call myself jokingly- the chief listening officer. The lesson here is that when you listen better, you feel different, and the conversation takes on a different quality.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

Funny enough, I hardly read books but I read articles a lot from thought leaders and anything that gets my attention. On second thought, I read a book, “Talk Like Ted” by Carmine Gallo. I love the book and have read it a couple of times. The reason I read the book, which is probably the only book I have read in a while, is to become a better speaker, as this makes it easier for me to have a better conversation.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

My advice is to be relentless in the pursuit of knowledge. The more you learn, the more you expand your perspective, uncovering insights that others may overlook. But beyond just acquiring knowledge, it’s equally important to challenge assumptions and demystify complex concepts. True learning isn’t just about accumulation—it’s about questioning, dissecting, and refining what you know.

Knowledge gains its true value when put into practice. Theories remain abstract until they are tested in real-world scenarios. By applying what you’ve learned, you not only reinforce your understanding but also refine and adapt it to practical situations. Growth comes from this cycle of learning, questioning, applying, and improving. So, never settle. Stay curious, challenge conventional wisdom, and make every lesson count.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

The story that readily comes to mind is one of Khalil Gibran’s reflective writings, he describes a man returning home after being away for four long months. As he approaches his homeland, he sees the familiar silhouette of a mountain—a landmark that fills him with hope, signaling that home is near. Yet, despite what his eyes tell him, his other senses are quiet. He cannot smell the air of his homeland, feel the familiar breeze, or hear the sounds that define his sense of belonging. His sight alone tells him he’s close, but without the affirmation of his other senses, his journey isn’t truly complete.

This story from Gibran is a powerful metaphor for how we navigate through life and work. We often rely on one piece of information and assume we see the whole picture. But just like the man in Gibran’s tale, our perception is incomplete until we engage all perspectives.