Driven by ambition, fledgling businesses pulsate with an infectious energy. Working long and hard, they overcome challenges with innovation to fuel their growth. This relentless pursuit of success fosters an environment where collaboration thrives and boundaries are pushed, paving the way for future industry leaders. However, the often-repeated mantra ‘Our People are our greatest asset’ fails to resonate in many of these companies, remaining a mere slogan without tangible meaning. That’s where Elizabeth Okonji steps in. As the Founder & Curator-in-Chief of TGL Labs, Elizabeth is on a mission to breathe life into these words, helping businesses unlock their true growth potential. With a keen understanding of the challenges faced by organizations in nurturing their workforce, Elizabeth and her team at TGL Labs offer solutions designed to be simple, practical and devoid of unnecessary complexity. Here, every entity and individual is on a unique journey, Elizabeth’s approach is to support them in thriving, growing and leading. Whether it’s aligning company objectives with employee development or fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, she believes in creating tailored strategies that resonate with each organization’s specific needs. Through her passion for empowering businesses and individuals alike, Elizabeth embodies the spirit of progress and transformation in the ever-evolving landscape of organizational development. With TGL Labs as her platform, she continues to make meaningful strides towards realizing her vision of a world where every company’s greatest asset truly thrives. The Power of Positivity Presently an expert in organizational dynamics, Elizabeth recalls her childhood curiosity about employee happiness and performance in service roles. She reminisces, “The best service seemed to come from employees with positive  attitudes.” With nearly two decades of experience, she emphasizes the crucial role of organizational culture in fostering positivity and competence among employees. “Your company’s goals are more likely to be achieved through employees who feel positively about them, and who are empowered to perform,” Elizabeth asserts. She advocates for a holistic development approach, emphasizing creating ecosystems where learning and growth are encouraged. “Rewarding personal improvement measured through performance outputs motivates employees to seek learning opportunities,” she adds. Central to Elizabeth’s philosophy is nurturing employee well-being. She recommends cultivating a work environment that values mental health, supports work-life integration through flexible policies, and respects personal boundaries. “Employee well-being directly contributes to organizational success,” she emphasizes. The key to achieving this is fostering a culture of open communication, feedback and idea sharing. Elizabeth highlights the importance of creating a sense of belonging among employees. “When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to contribute positively to the organization,” she states. Elizabeth’s insights offer a roadmap for organizations seeking to enhance employee satisfaction and performance. By prioritizing employee well-being, fostering a culture of continuous learning and promoting open communication, companies can create environments where both employees and organizations thrive. Empowering Dreams Elizabeth is the visionary behind TGL Labs and she shares her childhood aspiration, “My childhood aspiration was to eradicate poverty and empower individuals to lead meaningful lives and contribute to economic growth.” With a reputation for unconventional HR approaches, she developed competencies that transcended organizational boundaries. “In my HR career, I developed a reputation for unconventional, holistic and experimental approaches,” Elizabeth reflects. Her journey led to a desire to impact multiple companies simultaneously, prompting the creation of TGL Labs. TGL Labs serves as a platform to empower individuals, foster economic growth and cultivate competent leaders. Elizabeth’s vision is to equip people with the tools they need to thrive in the modern economy. Through innovative solutions and a holistic approach to talent development, TGL Labs aims to unlock the full potential of individuals and businesses alike. Elizabeth’s passion for empowering others drives the mission of TGL Labs to build a brighter, more prosperous future for all. Core Values Elizabeth reflects on her leadership journey, emphasizing the enduring importance of core values. “My core values and guiding principles of empathy, candor and building others have not changed,” she asserts. As a leader, Elizabeth prioritizes empathy recognizing its role in fostering a supportive environment for her team. “Empathy helps me stay grounded and supportive of colleagues at different stages of learning,” she explains. Tailoring her management style to individual needs, she ensures her team members feel supported and valued. Ownership, accountability and personal development are integral to Elizabeth’s leadership philosophy. She encourages her team to embrace new challenges and learn from mistakes. “I believe in clarifying objectives and goals and allowing team members to work out their best way to deliver,” she states. Maintaining a balance between setting direction and empowering her team, Elizabeth fosters an environment where innovation and growth thrive. By guiding while allowing autonomy, she empowers her team to excel. Elizabeth’s leadership style exemplifies the importance of empathy, empowerment and trust in achieving collective success. Through her approach, she drives results and nurtures a culture of growth and collaboration within her team. Rising to the Challenge “In our early stages of development, it feels like baby steps so far,” Elizabeth acknowledges. Defining a clear vision, mission and strategy has been crucial. Attaining crisp vision and mission clarity, and defining a befitting strategy required a lot of external help. She emphasizes the importance of their hardworking team of advisors. “The first major challenge was getting partners to understand and join our mission, and then getting talent for the core team,” Elizabeth explains. Leveraging early partners’ support, they enlisted other partners and outsourced the required expertise while maintaining a lean team. Establishing credibility and visibility in a competitive environment posed another hurdle. “There is the natural new business challenge of establishing credibility and visibility,” Elizabeth acknowledges. Their approach involves networking, thought leadership initiatives and active participation in industry discussions. Despite the challenges, Elizabeth remains optimistic about the company’s trajectory. Each step, though small represents progress towards their overarching goals. With a clear vision, strategic partnerships and proactive engagement, they navigate the early stages of development with confidence and determination. The Imperative of DEIB Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of fostering a