The Power of a Single Yes: How One Call Changed Everything

Some of the biggest breakthroughs in our lives don’t arrive as grand speeches or dramatic miracles. Sometimes, they arrive as a single yes. One person. One decision. One unexpected act of support that shifts the entire story.

I learned this lesson in one of the most pressure-filled moments of my professional journey.

In 2022, I stepped into my first year as Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum. It was an exciting new season, but it came with a weight I felt deeply. One of my earliest major responsibilities was to ensure that our 3rd Annual General Conference was held successfully. It wasn’t just an event. It was part of a growing legacy. It was proof that the Forum was here to stay, building an institution that would empower women lawyers across the country.

I wanted us to do it well. Not just for appearances, but for impact.

But two weeks to the conference, reality hit hard.

Despite my best efforts, we hadn’t raised enough funds. The pressure was mounting, deadlines were closing in, and the gap in our budget felt like a loud alarm that wouldn’t stop ringing.

Those days were a blur of calls, messages, follow-ups, and promises that simply weren’t materialising. I barely slept. I kept refreshing my phone like money would appear by magic if I stared long enough. I carried the anxiety quietly, but it was heavy.

It got so overwhelming that at one point, my husband had to caution me about my health. He watched the sleepless nights, the constant tension, the way I was pushing myself, and he offered to give us the money if it came to that. His support touched me deeply, but I also knew this couldn’t become a personal bailout. This was bigger than me. This was an institution. This was a collective mission.

Determined not to let the tradition die on our watch, my incredible Conference Planning Committee and Executive Council did what strong teams do in hard seasons. We adjusted. We got strategic. We cut costs.

We shifted from a two-day physical event to a hybrid model. One day in-person, the second day virtual. It was a practical decision, and it reduced our expenses significantly.

But we still needed funding.

Then came a moment I will never forget.

Two members of our community introduced me to a highly regarded Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Senator. A woman of stature, influence, and impeccable reputation. I had never met her personally, but I understood what her support could mean, not just financially, but in credibility and momentum.

With nothing to lose, I made the call.

I explained who we were. I spoke about our mission. I shared why the NBA Women Forum mattered. I painted the long-term picture, the kind of future we were building for women in the profession, and why this conference was important.

She listened attentively. She didn’t rush me. She didn’t sound distracted. She asked a few questions, then assured me of her support. We ended the call, and I thanked her sincerely.

But deep down, I wasn’t certain she would come through. Not because she wasn’t sincere, but because I had been disappointed too many times in the weeks leading up to that moment. I had learned that promises can be beautiful and still fail to show up.

A few days later, I received a call from my Treasurer.

Her voice was shaking with excitement.

“Chair, ten million naira has been deposited into our account.”

I froze.

I asked her to repeat it. Then I asked, half in disbelief, “Are you sure?”

She laughed and said she had counted the zeros to confirm.

Ten million naira.

I was stunned.

That single act of generosity changed everything. It covered almost half our budget. And as if that deposit unlocked something in the atmosphere, other pledges began to roll in. People who had been silent suddenly responded. Commitments that had been shaky became firm. Long-standing relationships I had built over the years came through in ways that reminded me that sometimes, your harvest arrives when you need it most.

In the end, we not only delivered a successful conference, we even had a tidy sum left in our coffers.

But more important than the money was what that season taught me.

The first lesson is perseverance. There are moments when you will feel like quitting, not because you lack vision, but because the pressure is intense. Keep moving. Keep adjusting. Keep showing up. Sometimes your breakthrough is closer than your exhaustion can see.

The second lesson is the power of community. No matter how capable you are, you will always need people. You need introductions. You need support. You need collaboration. You need someone who believes in the vision enough to lend their strength.

The third lesson is simple but life-changing. Never be afraid to ask. Many women struggle with asking, for help, for sponsorship, for support, for opportunity. We fear rejection. We fear looking needy. We fear being seen as demanding. But asking is not weakness. Asking is leadership. Asking gives people the chance to participate in something meaningful.

The fourth lesson is to never underestimate the relationships you’ve nurtured over time. Your network is not just social, it is strategic. People remember integrity. They remember consistency. They remember how you made them feel. And when your moment of need arrives, those relationships can become a lifeline.

To that distinguished Senator, and to everyone who made it possible, I remain deeply grateful.

And I’ll leave you with this thought.

Sometimes, you don’t need a hundred people to say yes.

You just need one.

Has anything similar ever happened to you? I would love to hear your story.

With over three decades of experience as a trailblazer in the legal profession, Chinyere Okorocha has established herself as a leading voice in law, leadership, and career growth for women. As a partner in one of the most prestigious law firms in the country, she has not only navigated the complexities of a competitive industry but has consistently broken barriers to become a sought-after leader, mentor, and advocate for women in the workplace.
A devoted wife and proud mother of three, her career development platform, Heels & Ladders, is dedicated to mentoring and guiding women who aspire to redefine success, achieve career mastery, and lead with purpose.