As I celebrate my 2-year anniversary in Lekki Freeport Terminal (since joining in October 2022), i will like to tell a short story reflecting on My Two Years Experience at Lekki Freeport Terminal :
A Lesson on Courtesy
Two years ago, I began my experience at Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT) as an intern, eager to make a mark in the maritime industry. On one of my first real assignments, I learnt a valuable lesson in an unexpected way. I was tasked with submitting a value proposition to my manager. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet the initial deadline. By the time I was ready, I was instructed to submit the report directly to the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).
As an intern just days into my role, I was both excited and nervous. I got to the office early, logged into Microsoft Teams, and began messaging the CCO without giving much thought to formalities. After sending a couple of messages, I received his first reply: "Ebuka, good morning." My heart froze. I quickly reviewed my previous messages and realized that I did not greet him in anyway. A moment later, his second message came, gently reminding me of the importance of starting conversations with greetings, especially in the morning and when it is your first interaction of the day.
In that moment, I felt sad and defeated. I was trying to make a great first impression, yet missed something as fundamental as courtesy. It was a small mistake, but a powerful lesson that is stuck with me ever since. This taught me that, you never have a second chance to make the first impression and that it is the basics—like politeness and respect, that truly make a difference.
My journey at LFT has been full of learning, relearning, and growth. Every challenge has brought new insights, and every mistake has been an opportunity to improve. I am incredibly grateful to my managers and colleagues, especially those like my manager and the CCO who have supported my development, helping me grow in the maritime profession.
Looking forward to many more years of experiencing, learning and contributing to the success of Lekki Freeport Terminal and the maritime industry.
Trainee at FIRDA AS
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