Joan Ologundudu: Helping people is the way of life

Joan Ologundudu

There is a popular saying that when purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable. Joan Ologundudu saw the gap and has been helping people live life fully. Being multi-skilled, one would wonder how she manages to juggle different roles. She is a keynote speaker, author, organisational development manager, and leadership coach. The list goes on. She also added AI Chatbot Development and AI Consulting. If you ask me, that's massive.

Joan strongly believes that humans are shaped by social institutions. The focus should be on investing in individuals who form the bedrock of every society. There is a particular phrase that she is passionate about. It is "Bringing timely truth for timely intervention". She explains this in this interview.

She is the Founder of Elmaf, a website app where people can get professionals to solve their problems related to marriage, relationships, parenting and family life. The goal of Elmaf is to bring healing and wholeness to families. As we all know, the ills and anomalies rooted in society can be traced to the family. Once, this is corrected, a better and greater world will be.

The journey to this e-chat started at a meet-up where SDG 3 was discussed. Joan was one of the contributors. She had talked about what she was doing in her circle of influence. In a networking session, Joan and I got talking and there was a light bulb moment. We agreed to collaborate and here we are. 

In this feature, she digs deeper into her people-centric passions, her love for God, her role models and more importantly— her story. It will inspire you. Read below:

Can you share the journey that led you to become a Behavioral Scientist and what inspired your passion for helping people lead purpose-driven lives?

I stumbled into it but it was exactly what I wanted when I did. I wanted to be an actress. I had been part of drama groups and my mind was set on studying theatre arts at the university and getting some training from Pefti Film Institute, the producers of Super Story. I also wanted to learn from Mount Zion Film Institute as well. Unfortunately, even though I was the best during the Post-UTME, I wasn’t granted admission. I was transferred to the Department of Sociology. At that time, I had never heard about it. With my mom’s persuasion, I stayed back to study sociology and I love it. It resonated with my soul. Fortunately for me, I was still able to act in school. I became my fellowship Drama Director and we even had a production. During NYSC, I became the Drama Director for NCCF at a state level in Plateau Jos, which was the national headquarters for NCCF.

I love helping people because I believe it’s the way of life.

How can women, in particular, leverage behavioural science to overcome societal pressures and lead more fulfilling lives?

Culture is such a powerful tool. However, not every cultural influence creates a healthy positive impact on women. This is a major reason why we need behavioural scientists.

I advise women to have three relationships, Counsellors, mentors and coaches. The three have different roles. A counsellor gives you counsel. A mentor mentors you, they guide you. A coach hands you the tools you need, in some cases they hand-hold you.

This way, women are not just a product of culture. They recreate culture, a healthy culture. They deconstruct norms and belief systems that are self-sabotaging and disempowering. They replace it with empowering beliefs.

Can you list some women who have influenced you into the woman you have become and what endeared you to them?

My mom was the very first woman to influence me. Her honor, Magistrate Olufunke. My mom modelled a great character to me. She taught me and my sister to love God and humanity.

My very first influence was Darlene Zschech, I loved her music. So I grew up into a child who would rather be indoors, meditating, praying or listening to a sermon or music. This really made me quite different amongst my peers.

I have had so many other female influences at different points in my life.

You’re passionate about "bringing timely truth for timely intervention." How do you identify when someone is ready for change, and what steps do you take to guide them?

A person is ready for change when they are ready to find answers and want a different reality for their lives.

Personally, I’d guide them to take our free Leadership Course which is available online and accessible to everyone. I’d recommend a few books and a growth-oriented community.

How can women in leadership roles use behavioural science principles to make meaningful impacts in their communities or organisations?

Through coaching, academies, boot camps, growth initiatives, and solutions-driven round tables backed with execution, women in leadership can make meaningful impacts in their communities.

Can you tell us what 'Elmaf' is about and what it seeks to address and achieve?

Elmaf is a product of family life tech. It’s a web app where individuals can find and book the services of experts in individual, relationship, marriage or family life expertise. Experts such as mental health coaches, physiotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, and coaches, to name a few can be found and booked.

Elmaf is simply providing that one-stop platform where you can find a variety of experts you can choose from. Rather than shopping for a product, you are shopping for a service which should have long-lasting value for the users.

What keeps you motivated to pursue your mission of helping others gain the right perspective in life?

God keeps me motivated. My background also played a big role in stirring me to do what I do. There are some experiences I have had that I’d rather not want anyone to experience.

I believe that if people knew better, they would do better.

I strongly believe that individuals are the unit of change. For any institution to be transformed, we need to transform individuals. This is the model I use across my initiatives.

Success is relative. What does it mean to you? Who are some women that are your yardstick of being successful?

Success for me is service to humanity. I want to use every gift, talent, calling, or assignment to serve God and humanity. That is what success is to me. By the time I get to a certain age, I want to look back and recount how I have used every gift only to serve.

I love Ibukun Awosika, lately; Debola Deji-Kurunmi. Sarah Jakes Robert also exemplifies what success is to me in some ways.

What advice do you have for younger girls pursuing purpose?

I want every young girl to know that anyone can be great if they give it what it requires. It’s a fallacy that some persons are meant to be great and others are not. The difference between the two is knowledge and wisdom. You need to make the decision to have a life that is worth living and be ready to pay the price for it. Avoid shortcuts, and submit to the due process of time. It’s okay to be different. It means you’re meant to stand out. Finally, plug into a growth-oriented community. Nobody wins alone. You will always need people if you want to scale anything.