By Emeka Oparah

In 2006, I was on vacation in Austin, Texas. Before I traveled, I had created and obtained approval for a Public Relations Plan for the launch of a major Promo, Big Knockout Promo. Those who know, will know. I developed the plan with my team hence I assured my boss they would deliver it-with or without me. That was the basis for his approval of my vacation.

And so, I arrived in Texas the weekend before the Promo was launched. The event went very well, I was told. However, 2-3 days afterwards, there little or were no stories (photos or reports) in the media! The Chief Commercial Officer was unhappy-and he made it known to Norman, the Marketing Director who, in turn, had a sit-down with my immediate boss.

Then, out of the blues, the Marketing Director called and instructed me return to work. Goodness me! I told him I was in Texas but he wouldn’t listen initially. Then, he calmed down when I told him I would sort out the situation, if he agreed to sign off my phone bills from the US. For those who think I have limitless airtime credit, it’s not true. (There is a limit beyond which I must pay).

So, Norman agreed to sign off the bill and I went to work. I asked for the speeches and photos from my team and developed fresh press releases and contacted the Telecommunications Industry Reporters and Editors. In between the 6-hour time difference between Texas and Lagos, I did a lot of Media Relations. The very next day, our stories and photos started appearing in the media. Phew!

I cannot say what I think happened (I will say it in my autobiography) but the stories started flowing. My boss was happy. Norman, the Marketing Director was happy. And the Chief Commercial Officer was happy. Those were the days of Celtel Nigeria-after Vmobile, before Zain.

The recovery was fast and massive. Next thing I received an email from Norman informing me of the decision of Management to make me the Acting Head of PR, Events & Sponsorships, a position I always wanted, deservedly, having acted in the position and done the job excellently previously to the exit of Vodacom and briefly as Vmobile. Rather, someone was hired from outside to take the job and be my boss. That someone was a very good man, intelligent, caring but may be not as daring as me. He trusted me and gave me a freehand after the initial hesitation, to manage Public Relations. He didn’t lose the position because he didn’t know it but because it was my time and God said so! He even rose to the position of a Director later.

To cut the long story short, after reading Norman’s email, I forwarded it to my wife with a message: “Babe, see how God works. You cannot hold a good man down forever. My God don catch them!” Mind you, this was a message to my wife or so I thought. After waiting for sometime, without hearing from her, I checked to be sure the email was delivered. Lo and behold, it dawned on me I had sent it to the wrong person. The “gloating” I thought I sent it to my wife, who was in Nigeria, was MISTAKENLY sent to Norman!!! Wow!!!

Upon the realisation, I called Norman and tried to explain. He was so gracious. He promptly assured me it was nothing to worry about. He understood the rush of adrenaline. More importantly, he knew my story and understood my reaction. I was highly relieved, because the reaction or outcome could have been different with some other bosses, you know.

A few days later, an announcement was made of my appointment as Acting Head of PR, Events and Sponsorships. My immediate boss was moved to the Commercial Function. Upon my return, I was interviewed and confirmed on the position.

I learnt three lessons from the experience. 1. To be more cautious whenever I want to send out a message or email. 2. To take a deep breathe and be circumspect with what I forward to anybody. 3. And this is extremely important: to show understanding, like Norman did, not gracelessness, when people who work with me make innocent mistakes.

Let me add for the records that his handling of the aforementioned situation boosted my love, respect and admiration for Norman. He’s a good man. By the way, he arrived Nigeria thinking I was a thief because I asked for payment for radio and TV news. In Zambia where he joined us from, such news was free, but in Nigeria it is classified as News of Commercial Interest, which was rate-carded! It took me time to make him understand and earn his confidence and trust. This job!!!

Now, it’s your turn to share your own moment of mistaken email or message.

Have a lovely and blessed weekend!