Change & innovation with Oluseun Olayinka

While change is inevitable, learning to navigate through it is what successful living is all about. The difference between a biblical and worldly perspective on change and innovation is simply focus – for example, is your life priority really about pleasing God or is it more about pleasing self?

Successful innovation can unfold as tiny or transformational change, but both small and large successes deserve to be valued and celebrated.  

Oluseun’s story

Oluseun’s name means ‘gratitude to God’. As the eldest of five siblings, with seminary grad parents, she feels grateful that she has been led and blessed by God. She has received treasured learning from her parents, wise counsel from great mentors, immense support from her spouse, children and faithful friends and is thankful to enjoy God’s favour. 

Having completed a ‘Bachelor in Chemistry’, a ‘Masters in Managerial Psychology’ and ‘Certificate in Governance’, she is also thankful for her education. God has led her in an Organizational and Learning Development career for twenty years, and currently she is Executive Director of a Non-profit Community Organization in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. 

Change has not only been a constant companion for Oluseun but something she enjoys studying, exploring it from multiple perspectives, including sustainability, human changes, relocation from Nigeria to multiple countries including Canada, educational learning etc. Now living in Kitchener-Waterloo, Oluseun chose it because the people were friendly, often smiling, which made her feel right at home. That was one of her easier decisions to make! Is it always this comfortable to adjust to change? Does she like to change? 

“No!” Oluseun admits. Chuckling she adds, “I do not like change, or at least I’m not quick to like it, but I’ve learned how to change. It’s a process. I’m now open to embracing it and looking for ways to innovate well and make things around me better!” 

When she makes important business and personal decisions Oluseun first prays and then she calls her mentors, asking many questions, such as “what do you think I have to do?” She is not alone. As her plan unfolds, she stays connected. “Therefore, I’m not going through the weeds on my own, but I’m riding on the shoulders of my God and my mentors and their age-old wisdom,” Oluseun explains.

Change is inevitable but innovation, as a response to change, is optional. One question Oluseun asks: “Is God or self on the throne? Am I going to hide under God’s covering, trust Him, and seek His wisdom, or not?” Acknowledging God matters! Then, her voice breaks into a spontaneous Nigerian chant,: “Who, did it?” She sings the answer: “Jesus! Oh my God…” 

What does the Bible have to say about change and innovation? Oluseun notes that studying Nehemiah offers amazing instruction for business leaders. For example, after immigrating to a new country, Nehemiah hears about trouble back home. What does he do first?  He stops and prays! Next? He comes up with an action plan that includes human and other capital resource planning. He assigns responsibilities to individuals and appoints timelines for tasks.  When opposition appears – as it inevitably does – Nehemiah does not react, but confidently reallocates team responsibilities, sets new timelines, and trusts God. What an example! 

Oluseun has two favourite authors: John P. Kotter, who wrote Leading Change and Heart of Change: Real-Life Stories of How People Change Their Organizations plus Jim Collins, author of Good to Great.

Exploring Biblical principles

• Show gratitude to God daily, rejoicing always and offer heartfelt appreciation to mentors and others for all innovation and change successes.

• Enjoy God’s reward of peace, contentment and joy as you learn to put God first, obeying His Word and seeking to please God in all decision-making.

Two take-away tips

In conclusion, here’s two practical tips received from Oluseun. First, beware of a judgmental or critical attitude as you learn to navigate change with excellence. In other words, be prepared to first listen to others, rather than unveiling your proposed solutions to issues. Listening with intentionality will help your team begin to trust you and support your leadership vision.

Secondly, avoid unnecessary impatience. Even if you have the right plan, your plan can fail if you move too fast. Be patient. Be humble and actively seek to listen. Flexibility, and openness to realigning priorities, reassigning responsibilities and making other adjustments are all part of good change management technique. Success takes time. In fact, transformation is usually a bumpy ride journey, not an instantaneous fix or overnight trip. 

“Connecting your Sunday Faith to your Monday Work” The Canadian Christian Business Federation exists to support business leaders in the study and application of Biblical Leadership Principles with peers in order to transform lives, strengthen businesses, and positively influence and impact our world. www.ccbf.org

Nancy Kingdon is an author and freelance writer who writes and donates these stories as a gift to the CCBF ministry.  She may be reached through: www.writinglegacy.com