Toyin Lasaki: Women who add value to an organisation stand out, even in male-dominated industry

Toyin Lasaki is a seasoned human resource professional with 17 years experience in consulting, real estate, construction and marketing communications industries. She is a graduate of the University of Ibadan, an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (ACIPM) and holder of a professional Diploma in Human Resources from CIPM. Lasaki is also a Senior Professional, Human Resource International (SPHRi) and a Global Professional, Human Resources (GPHR) both certified by the Human Resource Certification Institute, USA (HRCI). Her experience spans through the HR value chain of recruitment and selection, learning and development, talent management, HR project management, compensation and benefits management, performance management, and career management. She is currently the Head, Human Resources and Administration of Knight Frank Nigeria, a multinational real estate firm with headquarters in London. She sits on the Africa People Strategy Board of Knight Frank. Passionate about photography, she is also empowering women for growth through her budding platform, MBS- Career Conversations with Toyin Lasaki, formerly known as My Business Story – an initiative providing a platform for young female graduates and SME owners to network, learn and connect to resources that will aid them in excelling in their career. In this interview with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA, she shares her passion for mentoring young women for success.

Take us through your journey into the Human resource world.
MY journey into the HR world started at my 300 level, while I was on a three-month IT in a library. At the library, I would walk round the shelves and randomly pick books to read. I was particularly fascinated to the textbooks on human resources in the library and I would read them like I am reading an interesting storybook. It was then I decided that I would love to be an HR professional. Fortunately for me, the first job I got after I graduated was in an HR consulting firm. This is where my journey began. Along the way, I had the opportunity to practise HR in different industries and also picked up several professional HR certifications. I also attended several HR trainings at Lagos Business School (LBS), Kendor Consulting, Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) and other training institutes. I have never looked back since I journeyed into the Human Resources profession. I keep learning and meeting people on my journey and it’s been quite rewarding despite the good, the bad and the ugly sides of it.

In your almost two decades in the corporate world, how have you evolved?
I have moved from the young, shy, timid graduate to an experienced, well-grounded, confident, and assertive HR professional who is passionate about people becoming better version of themselves. I have been part of different kinds of workforce, having worked in consulting, construction, marketing communications and real estate industries. I have been privileged to work with bosses with different personality types, who have pruned and groomed me into the HR professional that I am today. I have met different people and other HR professionals whom I’ve learned from and whom I still reach out to when I need support. I have also worked on my personal development through several professional certifications and training. It’s been quite a journey, and looking back now, I appreciate every part of the journey.

As a human resource expert, what in your opinion is the effect of the present state of the economy on workforce and the workplace?
The current economy is really hitting hard on the workforce. Some staff members have unconsciously been disengaged and the plans they made at the beginning of the year have suddenly been disorganised with the hike in cost of goods and services. They have become distracted from work and what goes on in their mind is ‘how do I survive in this economy’. This is a time for employers to exhibit empathy while managing staff and trying to get the best out of them. A lot of organisations cannot afford to increase salary at this time as the economy is also hitting hard on businesses. Emotional support through employee-assisted programmes also needs to come into play at this point as people are going through a lot. At the same time, this is a time for employees to keep their jobs. It isn’t a time to lose jobs at all.

Have you experienced any difficult period in your career and how were you able to pull through?
Oh yes, I have. I think I overstayed my welcome in an organisation where I worked, and it drove me to a point where I just needed to breathe. I had to take a three-month break from work to rest, recalibrate and recharge. I came back to work life refreshed and recharged. I also picked up a passion in photography after this episode and it really helped me get back to form quickly. A key learning point for me from that experience is to always have personal goals even when working in an organisation. Don’t pack your personal goals and chase the company goals alone. This is why your personal goals and values should align with that of the organisation you work for so that there won’t be a clash. Once you start having that feeling of pressure or boredom at work, your personal goals that you are also working on keep you going.

You are also passionate about empowering women, which you champion through your platform, Career Conversations with Toyin Lasaki. What has been the impact?
The impact has been quite good considering that the initiative is at its budding stage. I see myself as a ‘Connector’ and the platform has been able to connect women who have attended to the right network, experience emotional liberation, secure new business transactions and answer pertinent career questions. I see Career Conversations growing gradually and affecting lives one step at a time. We held the fifth edition of Career Conversations with Toyin Lasaki on the 12th of August 2023 and the feedback from that session has been quite amazing. I collaborated with other professionals whom I met in my career journey to speak on emotional wellbeing for the Career woman, strategies for transitioning back to career after a long break, strategies for transitioning into a new career and service as a tool for career growth. Several of the participants have reached out to the various speakers afterwards for further support. I feel fulfilled when I’m able to connect women to the right resources to excel in their career, business, and life in general. I ensure I feel the vibes in my environment when coming up with the theme and topics to feature in Career Conversations with Toyin Lasaki.
What pertinent questions do women need answers to? What’s going on in the environment that is affecting women, either positively or negatively? The networking part of the event is also exciting for me as women get to meet and connect with themselves even beyond the event. This is why I try as much as possible to make it a physical event and not a virtual one.

In the course of your work, what peculiar challenges do you observe young female graduates face and what key advice do you have for such readers?
I would say rapid career growth in a male-dominated industry or profession, which I would say is fast becoming a story of the past now. My advice to young female graduates is that they should set career goals for themselves early in life and get mentors who will guide them in their career journey. Experiencing rapid career growth requires sacrifice (time, money for personal development), dedication and commitment. The results and yields will then follow. If you add value to an organisation consistently, you will earn the reward. We must, however, note that we may not necessarily reap the rewards where we sowed, but no matter how long, you will earn the rewards of the value you are adding or have added to an organisation. You will also stand out though you are in a male-dominated industry.

How can we get more women to become successful and rise to the top as you have done? What tips do you have for younger women?
Take ownership of your professional development. Ensure you take professional certifications and trainings related to your career path to sharpen your skills. Most importantly, keep applying the knowledge gained from the trainings and certifications you’ve acquired. There are several business and career women platforms and initiatives available now. These platforms provide women the opportunity to network and learn. I would encourage younger women to start young, be a part of some of these platforms after proper verification. You will learn and have access to network of ladies who can be valuable to you on your career journey. Stay focused on your career journey and reach out to professionals in your career when you need help. Attitude is a key to growth. People would always choose good attitude over technical skills. Be humble, treat people with respect and don’t talk down on people even if they are junior to you in age or cadre. Be diligent in your work. Diligence will make you stand before kings and great men. The Bible says, “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labour” (Proverbs 12:24). Also, Proverbs 22:29 says “Observe people who are good at their work—skilled workers are always in demand and admired; they don’t take a backseat to anyone”.

Having come this far, is there anything you wish you had done differently?
For me, anything that I didn’t do right or did right in my past are a significant part of my life and they make my story more interesting. The story made me who I am today. So, I embrace my story wholeheartedly and hope that young ladies can learn from it.

How do you get inspiration and stay motivated?
Family time and photography gives me inspiration and helps me stay motivated.

What is your life’s mantra?
Never leave the ‘God’ factor out of your life. I’m a product of God’s grace and mercy.