How Resilience Turned a Nigerian Girl’s Struggles into a Seat at the Table of Power
There’s something deeply powerful about stories that mirror the quiet strength we try to summon each day—the kind that speaks to hardwork, to hope, and to the choice to rise, again and again, no matter what.
One such story is that of Kemi Badenoch, a Nigerian-born British politician whose rise to the leadership of the UK’s Conservative Party has stirred conversations globally. We came across her story in this article by The Nation, and it reminded us at just how vital soft skills—particularly resilience—are in shaping not just careers, but character.
From Lagos to London: The Fire That Built Her
Kemi’s formative years were spent in Lagos during the 1980s, a time and place she describes as riddled with “fear, insecurity and corruption.” For many, such a foundation might have led to surrender. But for Kemi, it became the reason to push forward, to be different, to speak up.
She returned to the UK as a teenager and threw herself into British political life. Fast forward two decades, and that once-Lagos girl now leads one of the most powerful political parties in the world.
This isn’t just a tale of political ambition—it’s one of identity, determination, and emotional grit.
While the headlines focus on her political wins, what stands out is the emotional skillset Kemi carries: her resilience. We also talked about this in one of our blog post , Building Resilience Amidst Economic Uncertainty
She’s had to speak difficult truths, like calling out corruption in Nigeria, and often faces backlash for being apologetically direct. But her response? “I tell the truth. I tell it like it is. I am not going to couch my words.”
That is the heart of resilience. It’s not just about pushing through hard times—it’s about staying grounded in your values even when they’re unpopular.
In today’s volatile world of work, where job security is no longer guaranteed and change is the only constant, this soft skill is not optional. Resilience gives you:
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The ability to adapt in fast-changing industries
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Mental stamina to navigate rejections or failures
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The confidence to speak your truth in tough rooms
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Grit to keep showing up when it gets hard
Kemi’s journey proves that being technically competent may open the door—but it’s resilience that keeps you standing when the storms come.
Resilience: The Power Soft Skill We All Need
Resilience is one of the power skills that can take your career or business to new heights.
That’s why at CareerPaddy, we’ve built a platform to help you assess, develop, and grow your soft skills—starting with resilience. Whether you already possess this skill or you’re just beginning your journey, you can learn it easily through our website courses, earn certifications, and track your progress.
👉 Download the CareerPaddy app to assess yourself
👉 Visit our website to take soft skill courses and earn certificates
Technical skills are the technical competencies needed to perform a job. But soft skills—like emotional intelligence, resilience, and communication—determine how well you thrive in that job. You can check our blog post Hard Skills vs Soft Skills for more .
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on Kemi Badenoch’s story, we’re reminded that success doesn’t come from having a perfect past—it comes from the courage to keep going, to speak boldly, and to stay grounded in who you are.
Her rise is more than political—it’s deeply human. And it’s proof that resilience, though often invisible, is one of the most valuable assets any professional can cultivate.
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