“Being empowered includes developing the powerful qualities that lead human beings to cultivate wellness and healing. These same qualities enhance all relationships and reduce stress—the largest precursor to disease—such as gentleness, calmness, patience, humility, compassion, and gratitude.”
— Bryan Kest
Empowerment refers to the degree of autonomy and self-determination that individuals and communities possess, enabling them to represent their interests in a responsible manner and act on their own authority. It is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, particularly in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights. Empowerment encompasses both self-empowerment and the professional support that helps individuals overcome feelings of powerlessness, recognise their resources, and take action.
Types of Empowerment
Individual Empowerment: Focuses on personal development and improving mental health.
Social Empowerment: Ensures inclusivity and support for everyone, regardless of ability, gender, or other factors.
Economic Empowerment: Involves having the necessary financial tools to improve not only personal circumstances but also the broader community.
Educational Empowerment: Provides access to a wide range of educational resources and fosters a willingness to learn.
Organizational Empowerment: Creates a supportive environment within a specific group or organization.
Cultural Empowerment: Allows individuals to choose how they wish to live according to their existing values.
Physical Empowerment: Embraces the ability to control and shape one’s own body.
Psychological Empowerment: Involves recognizing one’s emotions and understanding the feelings of others.
All forms of empowerment are essential for fostering equality and inclusion. While larger organisations can facilitate empowerment by providing access to resources and opportunities, individuals must also nurture their own sense of empowerment.
The Importance of Success Stories
A success story illustrates how an action, intervention, or process positively impacts a situation. These narratives inspire exploration, implementation, and the pursuit of further success. Marketers, promoters, funders, and implementing partners recognize the transformative power of success stories, viewing them as vital tools for growth and individual development. Here are a few success stories to inspire you:
J.K. Rowling: Before achieving fame as the author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling faced numerous challenges. As a single mother on welfare, she struggled to support herself while writing her first book. Despite facing multiple rejections from publishers, she persevered, viewing these setbacks as opportunities to enhance her writing. Her determination eventually led Bloomsbury Publishing to accept her manuscript for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Today, she is one of the best-selling authors in history, showcasing how a growth mindset can turn dreams into reality.
Folorunso Alakija: A prominent entrepreneur, businesswoman, and philanthropist, Folorunso Alakija rose from humble beginnings to achieve remarkable success. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish a highly successful fashion label, attracting high-profile clients, including the wife of the former Nigerian president, Maryam Babangida. Building on this success, she ventured into the oil industry, obtaining an oil license in 1993 and securing a 617,000-acre oil block in OPL 216, one of Nigeria’s prime oil-producing areas. This achievement made her the wealthiest woman in Nigeria and across Africa, with a net worth estimated in the billions of dollars.
At Pertinence, we take pride in celebrating success stories, recognizing that these narratives can profoundly transform lives and catalyze personal growth. In March 2024, accompanied by co-founders, Pertinence organized a special trip to Qatar for a select group of realtors and investors who had excelled in their work, demonstrating our appreciation for their efforts.
Additionally, we awarded 16 cars to top-performing realtors in recognition of their outstanding productivity over the year. Furthermore, through PettySave MicroFinanceBank, a subsidiary of Pertinence Group, numerous individuals and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have received financial support to launch businesses and promote personal growth.
These initiatives have motivated many to double their commitment, striving to improve their performance for even greater recognition. Through these empowerment schemes and activities, our organization has transformed lives and cultivated individuals who, in turn, empower others to grow.
As we celebrate these inspiring success stories, we encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own journey with empowerment. What experiences have shaped your sense of autonomy and confidence? How have you overcome challenges to reclaim your voice and influence? We invite you to share your stories with us, as each narrative contributes to a greater understanding of empowerment and its transformative power. Together, let’s inspire one another to continue growing and supporting each other on our paths to success.
…By Adur-rahman Abdur-razaq