General News
Skills Needed to Succeed in a Changing World
By Dave Wakeman
As we head into the homestretch of 2021, we are still being heavily impacted by the pandemic—and it seems like a society that is restructuring (or realigning) itself due to challenges and issues that the pandemic uncovered.
Dave Wakeman
Reading this morning’s paper highlighted this to me. It got me thinking about the types of skills that a PM is going to need to highlight (or build) to ensure that they are on top of the ever-changing world we are living in.
Here are my top three:
1. Communication: I feel like any good list on what makes a good PM should always contain improving your communication skills, but in this regard the communication skills we need to improve are a bit more broad than normal.
In a general sense, we always want to remember that your communications need to be clear, concise and easy to understand. But as we expand here, we need to make certain that we have the ability to communicate with folks clearly in different cultures. This might mean recognizing how different phrases translate or different customs come across.
The key to being a successful communicator in a changing world is that you need to focus on the receiver of the communication—with an emphasis placed on things that might make your communications fall flat. Because even when you share a common language, the gulf in understanding can be significant.
2. Negotiation: We hear a lot about different issues that are being exposed around the world right now, like supply chain backups, staff shortages and demand issues. The list goes on and can contain hundreds of variations on each issue, but the key idea here is that even if you are dealing with a challenge, a good PM has to find ways to resolve issues. This comes down to negotiation. And what is negotiation but solution seeking at its finest?!
To be an effective negotiator in a changing world, you need to focus on your communications to begin with (like I mentioned above, communications seem to be the gateway for effective project leadership). But you also need to recognize how to frame ideas, challenges and solutions to give people win/win opportunities. You also need to be able to see different routes to success.
Probably the most important skill is to not look at negotiation as a winner-takes-all situation. Because in most instances, it’s going to be about accommodation and not capitulation.
3. Recruitment: I’ve written here over the years about how great a PM I think Alabama football coach Nick Saban is. One of his best skills is his ability to recruit talent to Tuscaloosa. Talent wins.
To be a successful PM in our new environments of change and uncertainty, you are going to need to focus on recruiting folks to your team to be successful as well.
Recruiting in this context doesn’t mean getting people to sign up as your “ride or die,” though it may require that at certain times. Instead, recruitment is likely a lot more flexible as you need people to dedicate a few hours to a challenge you are dealing with, sign off on a new piece of your project, or commit the resources necessary to help you keep your project moving forward.
As I write this out, I start thinking about how we recently discussed project management being a sales job. Then, I look at my list and realize that the key way that PMs are going to work forward now is through selling: their ideas, their partnership and their resources.
Maybe instead of a big change, the more things change the more they stay the same? Let me know what you think in the comments.
Lagos State Government is committed to ensuring that the Lagos State Single Social Register is updated and integrated with individuals’ National Identification Numbers (NIN) to enhance the effectiveness of social protection programmes in the state and in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive.
This was stated by Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, permanent secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget (MEPB), Lagos state.
Ojo disclosed this at a forum tagged: “Unified for Impact,” organised by the Ministry, through the Social Protection Coordinating Department, to sensitize stakeholders from various sectors, including selected Heads of Departments and Community Development Council Chairmen from the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the state, to provide them with a deeper understanding of the numerous benefits associated with enhancing the Single Social Register through seamless integration.
According to Ojo, “The Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR) has become the cornerstone for our social intervention programmes, helping to ensure that support reaches those who need it the most.
However, we recognize that the full potential of LASSR can only be unlocked when it is linked with the National Identification Number (NIN).”
She added, “We need your support today; let us reflect on our collective progress, share ideas, identify gaps, and build synergy that will strengthen our coordination and level of impact in Lagos State, ensuring that nobody is left behind.
The Permanent Secretary emphasised the importance of leveraging data-driven innovation to build a more equitable and responsive system for all residents of Lagos.
Also speaking at the forum, Dr. Funmilola Olotu, national coordinator, National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office, noted that as part of its efforts to cater to the needs of the citizenry, the Presidency recognizes that linking the National Social Register with NIN would be of great impact and has cascaded it to every state in the Federation.
Olotu reiterated the President’s commitment to delivering dividends of democracy, saying, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is passionate about integrating NIN with the National Social Register to strengthen credibility and accountability, as well as ensure that all vulnerable individuals in the nation are well-catered for.”
Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa, permanent secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, and Mrs. ‘Jibike Onigbanjo, permanent secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, commended the department’s work so far and emphasised the importance of the Social Register in the planning and execution of government intervention. T
hey encouraged stakeholders to cascade the importance to their various communities as a matter of urgency.
In the same vein, Mrs. Oluwakemi Garbadeen-Adedeji, director of Social Protection Coordinating Department, in her presentation, explained how the data collated from the Lagos State Single Social Register serves as the bedrock of the social intervention architecture of the state.
The Director expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their role in reaching the grassroots level and encouraged them to continuously ensure everyone in need is covered.
She said, “We appreciate the stakeholders’ efforts in reaching the grassroots level and urge them to work more closely with us to ensure that no one is left behind, according to the developmental pillars of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Administration, THEMES Plus.”
She added, “This Social Register helps the right intervention get to the right people, ensuring social justice, equity, and protection for citizens of Lagos State”.
Garbadeen-Adedeji appealed to the stakeholders present to ensure that the provisions made for vulnerable people by the government make an impact so that everyone can enjoy the dividends of democracy.
The Director appealed that beyond the stakeholder’s forum, each member of the community should spread the word about the benefits inherent in updating the Lagos State Single social register.
“This is a call to action for the entire community to ensure that no one is left behind, as Lagos residents we can contribute to the success of the register update initiative by sensitizing our community members on the benefit, let us ensure this is a case of all for one and one for all,” she emphasised.
Following the event, the department’s team visited the Kosofe Local Government, where they conducted sensitization, addressed field officers’ challenges, and engaged with residents to encourage their participation in the update process. They also visited the palace of the Traditional Ruler of the Area, Chief Surajudeen Lasisi, where they canvassed for support.
The Traditional Ruler promised to use his influence to ensure that the people in his constituency are sensitized and embrace the update of the register.
One of the stakeholders present at the forum, Mr. Balogun Tejumade, chairman of Olubori Community Development Association (CDA), commended the Lagos State Government for the initiative, saying, “We commend the Lagos State Government for this initiative, which will enhance social protection programmes and improve the lives of our residents.
The Lagos State Single Social Register (LASSR) is a database of Heads and Members of Poor and Vulnerable Households (PVHHS).
The Lagos State Single Social Register update and Integration with the National Identification Number (NIN) kicked off on Wednesday, 9th April 2025, in the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a remarkable $6.83 billion balance of payments surplus for 2024, marking a decisive turnaround from deficits of $3.34 billion in 2023 and $3.32 billion in 2022.
This achievement reflects the impact of sweeping macroeconomic reforms, stronger trade dynamics, and renewed investor confidence in the nation’s economic direction.
Speaking at the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair, Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, highlighted the CBN’s commitment to addressing economic challenges and fostering productivity, particularly for SMEs.
She emphasized the importance of robust financial systems, foreign exchange stability, and collaboration between monetary and fiscal authorities in achieving industrial development and global recognition.
The President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo, commended the CBN’s efforts but expressed concerns over the recent hike in interest rates, cautioning that it could hinder access to credit for businesses.
This surplus signals a positive trajectory for Nigeria’s economy, benefiting investors, businesses, and citizens alike.
OpenAI is suing Elon Musk over claims he has tried nonstop to slow down its business for his own benefit.
Elon Musk
The company accuses the Tesla boss of using “bad-faith tactics” against OpenAI to help him control cutting-edge AI technology.
Musk sued OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman last year in a bid to stop him from changing its corporate structure. Mr Musk co-founded OpenAI with Mr Altman but left several years ago.
Meanwhile reporters has approached his lawyer for a response to OpenAI’s lawsuit, which was filed on Wednesday.
The countersuit opens up a new front in the high-stakes battle between two Silicon Valley heavyweights.
“Elon’s nonstop actions against us are just bad-faith tactics to slow down OpenAI and seize control of the leading AI innovations for his personal benefit,” “Today, we countersued to stop him.”
Last week, a federal judge in Oakland, California, set a March 2026 trial date in Mr Musk’s suit in a bid to fast-track the legal fight.
US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers previously declined to grant Mr Musk an injunction that would temporarily halt OpenAI’s conversion from a non-profit to a for-profit company.
She also said that she expected Mr Musk to give evidence in the case.
Musk alleges that OpenAI strayed from its founding mission as a non-profit to develop AI for the benefit of humanity and is therefore in breach of contract.
He left the company in 2018.
“This is about control. This is about revenue. It’s basically about one person saying, ‘I want control of that startup’,” said Ari Lightman, professor of digital media and marketing at Carnegie Mellon University.
Lightman said it has been a distraction from making AI safe and equitable.
“That takes a backseat with all this rigmarole over control and monetization,” Lightman said.
OpenAI claims Musk has “been spreading false information about us,” in a X post on Wednesday, adding “Elon’s never been about the mission. He’s always been about his own agenda.”
Musk’s xAI is a competitor to OpenAI, but has so far lagged behind. Last month, xAI aquiired Musk’s social media platform X formerly Twitter.
Musk claims the combined company, XAI Holdings, is valued at more than $100 billion.
In February, Musk made an unsolicited bid for OpenAI, offering to buy it for $97.4 billion, which Mr Altman rejected by posting: “no thank you but we will buy twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”
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