Briefly introduce yourself.
My name is Quadri Enitan Oloko. Currently, I work with Traction Payment Limited as the Head, of Payment Operations. With 11 years of experience in the e-payment space that spans working with Interswitch, Global Accelerex, and Union Bank. I have hands-on experience in managing cross-functional teams, optimizing processes, and implementing innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.
What is your opinion on men and mental wellness?
Mental wellness is not gender-based. Fine, we tend to believe that men are stronger, but in terms of mental wellness, which is the overall well-being of human beings. Mental wellness speaks to thriving in various areas of life. It is the balance between your emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual self. So, because men tend to take on more tasks and responsibilities, their mental wellness seems to be discussed more than female wellness, but in all, mental wellness is for everyone to deal with.
There is a saying that most techies do not have a personal life, is this true?
No, we do have a personal life. Most of us are ”real ballers” techies are the life of a party. We are all you need to talk of the town groove.
How do you balance the demands of your work in tech with your personal life?
The strategy is pretty straightforward. My personal life is separated from my work life. Time meant for my personal life is separated from my work life. If you continue to mix both times, one will suffer at the expense of the other, and like always tell people, family comes first because the family will always be there for you when the work is no longer there. There are really rare instances where we would have to pull up the laptop when you are with the family, but these cases must be exceptional.
I create a life-work balance and adhere to it strictly. I have been able to separate my personal life from work. Before now, there were times when I had to work non-stop, but now, I have been able to figure out how to balance this and still get the best out of myself and the team. Proper planning and effective time management are tactics that I have adopted, and it has helped me in managing stress.
Are there any specific challenges you face in your current role and how do you cope?
Yes, there are challenges in every role, and my role isn’t an exception. Getting accurate data is one of the biggest challenges we face in my role, but we won’t relent as we engage and re-engage the customer on this to ensure the data are provided.
Has there been a time you felt isolated or disconnected from your peers in the tech industry, if so, how did you address it?
Yes, there are instances of that drive people out of interactions and pleasurable activities meant to promote mental well-being, like sports and fun times with loved ones, and bring about health impediments on the eyes, especially for those who work on the screen for periods beyond recommendation and as well reduces employees’ social life to zero if it persists for those who work 24/7 because they can’t attend social functions in the name of work.
As much as setting priorities helps one tackle challenges in preferences to their level of urgency, it doesn’t rule out the fact that your role has to be performed efficiently by; asking questions and seeking assistance from colleagues when you get stuck, consciously learning from other people’s mistakes, paying attention to what you feel like at every point. (Find the best distraction that suits your mood, engage for a while then return to work refreshed).
What strategies do you use to prioritize your mental wellness amidst the rigorous demands of your tech career?
Some of the strategies I use to prioritize my mental wellness are: prioritizing myself, enjoying nature, taking advantage of the quiet, learning to say no, and improving on social connections.
Have you noticed any changes in your mental health since starting your career in tech? If so, what has changed?
Yes, I have noticed changes in MH since I started my tech job. I quit a particular job because I noticed that my BP rose anytime I stepped into the office. When I spoke to my doctor back then and after a thorough assessment, we concluded that there was this sudden anxiety on Monday mornings, especially when I was about to step into the building. So, when I noticed this, I had to quit the job because that was the only way out. Putting in my resignation wasn’t because of the pay but my mental health. At times, when your best hand resigns, it is not because of the pay but goes beyond remuneration.
What steps do you think companies in the tech industry should take to better support their employees’ mental health? Does your organization prioritize mental well-being, especially burnout?
It is a very good habit to set priorities in tackling tasks nevertheless it cannot be overemphasized that people have different paces, that’s why it is advisable to stop or take a break when you are exhausted or distracted to avoid backlogs and errors that could be prevented simply by taking a break.
Tech companies should provide counseling sessions and coaching, these companies should also allow greater flexibility and more time off to staff who need it.
Furthermore, promoting a healthy life-work-balance should be a habit. People should be forced to go on annual vacation even though some staff won’t put in for their annual leave.
One thing my current employer does is to ensure that all staff not only submit their annual leave plans but also ensure staff embark on their leave.
Also, my current employer organizes a health program where MH and TIP to conquer burnout are discussed.
