21/08/2026
CULTURE VS POLICY
The recent conversation around Mr. Tony Elumelu correcting a graduate who called him “Tony” got me thinking.
Some say first-name culture is the modern workplace standard. I understand that.
But my experience at Finsure taught me something:
Culture is stronger than policy.
I once tried introducing first-name culture at Finsure. It didn't last.
Some of our staff are older than I am. Some are married women I naturally find myself addressing respectfully as “Ma.”
We once employed a retired police officer as a security officer. Even when he made mistakes, I couldn't bring myself to shout at him simply because I was his boss.
We also employed an elderly woman as a cleaner. Although she agreed to run errands for younger staff, I personally struggled to send her on errands.
Why?
African culture. Respect.
There is nothing wrong with modern workplace practices.
But not every practice fits every environment.
Sometimes, professionalism is not just knowing the policy.
It is knowing how to read the room.
You can be modern without becoming culturally tone-deaf.
