MISUNDERSTANDING: 2. THE IRONY OF BEING MISUNDERSTOOD

The first time I ever contested for a position was during my NYSC days in Gboko, Benue state, Nigeria. Although I have been serving in several leadership positions all through my life, from my Primary school days.

I was just a member of the Digital Onboarder CDS group. I had zero interest in any position. But my discipler saw something I did not see, pushed me, taught me, and I went for it. I won.

The tradition was clear. At every POP, the president emptied the purse, cooked food, corps members ate, celebrated, and went home. That was the custom.

As president, I broke the pattern. I told them we were not going that way. We were building something sustainable. Something that would outlive our batch. Something future corps members would point to and say, "This is what they left for us."

Chaos broke out. Some corps members got angry. They misunderstood me. They thought I was denying them their right to eat pounded yam and rice at POP.

I checked every angle. I weighed every option. What I was doing was best for all of us, not just for that day. So I stayed the course with my executives and the few who believed.

Then POP day came. Everything changed. They saw the project. They saw the value. They applauded. They came to terms with the decision.

While other CDS groups were eating 'loam' and 'chinkafa' , pounded yam and rice, we served snacks and unveiled a project that would last.

Other CDS groups envied us. They pointed at what we did and wished they had done the same.

Here is the truth. People will misunderstand you. They will talk down on your vision because they cannot see what you see yet.

Being misunderstood is painful, but recognize that critics often lash out because they lack your vantage point. Don't take it personally. Maintain your composure; silence is often the most dignified response to noise.

So when you have checked well, when you know you are on point, doing the right and best thing, keep going. Do not stop. Do not explain too much. Let the results do the talking. They will catch up later. And when they do, respect and honor will follow you.

Beloved, when you are misunderstood, do not fight. Stay calm. Stay focused. Do not abandon good work because of noise. Forge ahead. In due time, results will speak, and you will wear your medal in their hearts.