A brief exchange between a young lady and businessman Tony Elumelu has sparked a wider conversation online about workplace etiquette, respect, corporate culture and the lessons young professionals should learn before stepping into high-pressure environments.
In the viral video, the lady stood up to ask Elumelu a question and began with, “Good morning, Tony.” When he appeared not to hear her clearly, she repeated the greeting. Elumelu then corrected her, telling her that she should address him as “Mr Elumelu” “TOE” or “Mr Chairman “
The moment quickly spread across social media, with Nigerians divided over whether addressing a senior executive by his first name was inappropriate or simply a reflection of modern corporate culture.
The debate is particularly interesting because Elumelu is not an ordinary corporate executive. He has been a major figure in Nigeria’s business space, having led UBA and built businesses and philanthropic initiatives across Africa.
However, beyond the argument over whether she should have said “Tony” or “Mr Elumelu”, what can young professionals actually learn from the incident?
1. Learn the culture of the organisation you are joining
Every workplace has its own culture. Some encourage first-name communication, while others maintain a formal structure. Learn how people communicate and how senior officials are addressed before assuming what is acceptable.
2. Know when to be informal and formal
Informal communication may be acceptable in one setting but inappropriate in another. Calling someone by their first name casually may be different from doing so when addressing a senior executive at a formal event. Context matters.
3. Respect how people want to be addressed
When someone tells you how they prefer to be addressed, respect it. Some people prefer professional titles, while others prefer their first names. Good communication means paying attention to these preferences.
4. Mistakes are part of learning
Young professionals will make mistakes. You may send the wrong email, misunderstand an instruction or make an awkward comment. What matters is your ability to acknowledge the mistake, learn from it and avoid repeating it.
5. Don’t let one embarrassing moment define you
One awkward interaction does not define your career. Take the lesson, improve yourself and move forward. Your professional journey is much bigger than one embarrassing moment.
The “Good morning, Tony” incident may seem trivial, but it highlights lessons young professionals often learn only after entering the workplace.
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