NEXUS Plus: Personal & Professional Development
Learn more about the NEXUS programme and it's pioneering personal & development teaching
Who are we?
The NEXUS team has been working hard to create an engaging programme that provides our learners ("founders") with the knowledge and skills they need to grow their businesses, and an ecosystem that supports their work so they can share their innovative solutions created with and for people in their communities.
What do we offer?
We designed the programme with a holistic approach in mind, with the overarching aim of broadening horizons. When planning the modules and events, the founders' work demands and other commitments were considered so that they could continue developing their start-ups while learning.
The programme is delivered online and onsite at the Semicolon premises (Lagos, Nigeria). It is a collaborative activity - through group discussion, reflection and practice where they apply knowledge and strategies to their work.
By making training relevant, engaging, and practical, we aim to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed and make a difference in a competitive market.
Why include a Personal & Professional Development component?
Strong leadership comes from well-rounded individuals who know how to deal with challenges and who work well with others. They understand how to manage pressure and navigate challenges to protect their energy, motivation and wellbeing, while preventing burnout.
The ability to self-manage and work well with others is essential to the survival of a start-up. We believe that creating a sustainable business requires investment in the most critical resource: its people.
Business development is a challenging endeavour that demands significant levels of effort, and the ability to deal with complexity and uncertainty. Founders who are confident in their abilities, understand themselves and others, are better able to look after themselves and their teams. They behave professionally and with integrity, which enables them to nurture collaboration through positive communications with team members, investors, and customers.
What does the module cover?
The Personal and Professional Development module was designed to provide founders with the tools to manage the challenges of working in an unpredictable environment. By developing their knowledge and skills, and adopting an open and flexible attitude, they can enhance their capacity to establish a work culture where team members can foster effective teamwork.
The Personal and Professional development module consists of six sessions:
- Emotional intelligence
- Professional behaviours, identity and confidence
- Understanding stress and preventing burnout
- Motivation and productivity
- Dealing with setbacks and decision-making
- Effective communication and dealing with conflict
Founders need to make quick adjustments as they encounter multiple challenges in their business. This includes dealing with technical issues, financial concerns, and unforeseen setbacks. These factors can cause significant levels of stress, which can affect their health and their relationships with their teams. Understanding stress and burnout is essential to maintaining health and wellbeing, managing challenges, and building a sustainable business. The learning journey contributes to shaping founders’ professional identity. It enables them to protect their wellbeing, maintain motivation when dealing with setbacks, and persevere and follow through with tasks.
Increasing understanding of the benefits of emotional intelligence - being self-aware, understanding and managing our emotions - improves our ability to relate well with other people. Having openness and flexibility allow us to be resourceful when facing problems and make better decisions. It allows us to identify what matters to us, helping us to navigate through changes, keeping our actions aligned with our goals and values.
We, the NEXUS PLUS team, find it stimulating and rewarding to work with the founders and contribute to their journey. We anticipate a bright future for them.
Learn more about the Nexus Programme
