Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue 
There are a few quiet lies many African women have been taught to believe such as..
“Stay in your lane.”
“Tone it down.”
“You can’t have it all, especially as a career woman.”
And so, brilliant, high-performing women shrink. They silence their gifts, delay their dreams and tell themselves they’ll act when the coast is clear and the load is lighter.
But what if that moment never comes? Or worse, what if it comes, but the people you were sent to have already moved on?
Here’s the truth – Playing small isn’t humility, it’s sometimes disobedience in disguise.
Have you done something amazing but downplayed it? You’re playing small.
Do you carry a life-changing message but keep waiting to feel ready? You’re playing small.
Have you helped many in private but never built a platform to multiply that impact? You’re playing small.
God is not glorified when you hide the fire He placed inside you.
He didn’t give you gifts, ideas and burdens for decoration. He gave them for impact, multiplication and destiny.
He is glorified when you show up fully, both in boardrooms and in purpose rooms.
He is glorified when you stop ignoring divine nudges and go ahead to build that business, launch that platform, write that book or mentor others…all while thriving in your career and home.
I know the question on your mind..
“But how? I’m already working so hard just to build a great career while holding down my home.”
My answer is simple: if you’re feeling that tug that there is MORE to you than the world currently sees, you’re not alone. What you need is knowledge on how to move forward and the courage to begin.
Here are three bold steps to stop playing small and step into purpose, without quitting your 9–5 or sacrificing your peace.
Step 1: Acknowledge the MORE in You
That tug in your heart? That dream you’ve shelved? That idea you know could bless others? It’s not noise. It’s instruction.
Ask yourself: What assignment am I ignoring? Who is waiting on the other side of my obedience?
True humility isn’t hiding. Sometimes it’s simply saying: “Lord, here I am. Use it all.”
Step 2: Recognise the Gift You Keep Tucking Away
What do people always seek your help with? What do you do repeatedly with excellent results, both in and out of work?
That’s not just skill. That’s potentially a framework, a course or even a movement waiting to be born.
If it has worked only for you, it may be time to share it. You lose nothing by trying.
If others have also seen results from it, then you’re sitting on something the world needs and it’s time to scale it.
Step 3: Build Systems, Then Take One Bold Step
You don’t need to burn out to birth your purpose.
You need systems and structures that carve out time, leverage support and honour your current season while you nurture your dream.
Then, act. Not by doing everything at once but by taking one intentional step each day. That’s how legacies are built.
In the eyes of the world, what you desire may seem crazy.
But it’s time to stop letting others dictate what career women can and cannot do and let God decide instead.
If He says you can do all things through Him, then you can.
You can deliver top-tier results in your job, keep rising in your career, build purpose-driven platforms that bless others and still enjoy a joyful home.
…and that is the heartbeat of this column – to help Career women of African descent who desire MORE to identify, unlock and purposefully unleash their God-given potential within and beyond the workplace.
Women who long to lead beautifully in the office and in destiny.
Women ready to multiply their impact, income and influence for good.
Women determined to make God proud.
Are you one of us? Then don’t miss our weekly articles.
Together, let’s build Africa – one purpose-driven woman at a time.
Ifeoma Chuks-Adizue, fondly known as Iphie, is a seasoned professional with a rare mix of experience in brand management, sales, media and over 20 years’ experience building global brands across Africa. Iphie is the Managing Director Africa at Global Citizen – an international advocacy organisation focused on ending extreme poverty now. She is the author of two books – The Uncommon Woman and Made for More, and is Founding President of the Uncommon Woman Movement.