Chef T (DiaryofaKitchenLover) Talks about Collaboration, Being Proud (VIDEO)

Popular Nigerian chef and content creator Diary of a Kitchen Lover popularly known as Chef T is opening up about humility and collaboration. Her words are especially timely because earlier today, there were reports that actress Funke Akindele unfollowed her on social media, and later another actress Wunmi Toriola called her out for being too prideful and not being open to collaboration. In Chef T's video however, she said:

CHEF T: Collaboration is very, very important, especially if it is not a parasitic one.

Now, I'm going to talk about collaboration very passionately because I am very big on collaboration. But then again, the moment I notice that the collaboration is a parasitic one, I run away.

So now, let me define what collaboration is or what you get from collaboration. For example, I'm going to use content creators as an example.

Maybe I, as a content creator, have 5 million followers or a 5 million audience across all platforms, and my partner, as a collaborator with me, has about 10 million followers on different platforms. We agree to come together—either for a cause or to create content together—to portray something that is very important to our audiences. What we have done with collaboration is merge both audiences, and now both audiences can see us, see the other person, and think, "Okay, this person is actually an interesting person; let me check what this person is doing."

And that's how you get new followers. That's how you get new audiences. Collaboration is very important in this space, in fact, in all walks of life, because most times, collaboration gives you a win-win result—you're winning on both sides.

Now, collaboration is especially important for startups, like for new content creators. If possible, you can reach out to those guys that are already out there. I know a couple of food content creators that have helped me in the course of my food content journey, and I really, really appreciate them.

So, if you're a startup and you feel like there's somebody that is already there that you would love to work with, there is no harm in approaching that person. There is no harm in asking. There is no harm in requesting. The worst you’ll get is no—and who doesn't get ela in life? Do you understand? And you move on. You move on to the next person that will accept you.

What is not right is when the collaboration is parasitic in nature. And what I mean is, there are some very, very selfish people who see you and think, "Ah, I want to get everything this person has. I want to get everything this person is, online or offline." And then, they come to you for collaboration. But what you don't know is that what they are really trying to do is be a parasite—take from you and not give anything in return.

So now, you guys agree to do something, you guys agree to come together for something, and at the end of the day, you are the one doing everything. You're the one bringing all the ideas, you're the one bringing all the work, you're the one bringing all the clients, you're the one bringing all the customers. You're the one shouting and making noise about the collaboration. You're the one out there, and they're sitting at the back like, "Oh yeah, it's me she's trying to collaborate with. I'm bigger than her. I'm bigger than him."

When you sense that a collaboration is parasitic, please run for your life, because they are doing you no good. They are doing you more harm. People will now see you as somebody who begs for collaboration everywhere.

But see, collaboration—when it is beneficial, when it is a mutual benefit for both of you, when both of you are going to benefit and both of you are putting in the same energy to do whatever you guys want to collaborate on—that is when you should collaborate.

The moment you find out that this person just wants to steal your ideas, steal from you... Some people will even reach out to you to collaborate, and then you guys share ideas, you guys share everything, and then the person just goes quiet. They stop replying to you, they stop messaging you, and then you're like, "Okay..." And then the next day, you see them doing the same thing—the same idea that you've already shared. They're doing it.

But what can you do? You don't have any evidence. You can't say anything. Do you understand? The person is getting all the ovations, meanwhile, na your idea the person use. Do you understand?

Collaborate, but when it is parasitic, please avoid it by all means.

I've noticed with a lot of content creators that the moment they get to that space where the ovation is loud, humility runs away from them. Humility is far from them. They become very pompous and very proud.

Humility will keep you in that space. So now, God has helped you, you've gotten to that place, and now you're making the money, you're getting all the appraisal, you're getting 100% recognition, you're getting everything. And then all of a sudden, your shoulder is up because you feel like you run the world and you own the world.

Be humble, my brother and sister. Be humble.

Humility is even godly. You have to be humble so that you have room for more.

What do you think about what Chef T had to say? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.

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