Nigerian-Born Leadership Expert: Many Are 'Programmed for Poverty' by Their Environment

What if the financial decisions that keep people trapped in poverty are likely shaped by deeply-rooted beliefs, ones formulated from being around family, community and culture? Nigerian-born leadership expert Dr. Sam Adeyemi says that unfortunately, yes — it absolutely happens.

"If you grew up in Africa, the projects, or in a poor community, whether in Europe, North America, or anywhere in the world, it is more likely that you've been programmed for poverty than for prosperity," Dr. Adeyemi says. "It comes from absorption — from growing up in a poor home, a deprived environment, or with people from poor communities. It all stays in the conscious mind, and after some time, it drops into your subconscious and becomes a part of you."

The result, Dr. Adeyemi says, is a frustrating disconnect. "Many times, the goals people set with their conscious mind are not in alignment with their programming," says Dr. Adeyemi. "People want to be prosperous and wealthy, but their programming is for poverty."

Dr. Adeyemi compares the experience to that of growing fruit. "If we really want an orange, but our roots are for mango, we're getting a mango," he says. "What should we do? Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do. There's nothing you can do to get your orange. Unless, you remove some roots, and put new ones in their place."

Dr. Adeyemi's metaphor re-emphasizes the role of environment. Just as soil affects a seed's yield, the environment a person grows up in affects their mindset and the possibilities they see for themselves. "Your seed may be perfect, but the soil determines its full potential," says Adeyemi.

However, Dr. Adeyemi says this ugly cycle can be broken. "The beliefs we've formulated from our environment can become deeply-rooted, but thankfully, they are not necessarily permanent." For Adeyemi, changing the results we see in our lives begins with changing the underlying beliefs — the 'roots' — that shape them. This idea lays at the heart of his SHIFTS process model as outlined in his latest book, "SHIFTS: 6 Steps to Transform Your Mindset and Elevate Your Leadership" (Wiley).

"Transformation begins with becoming conscious and disciplined around what we See and Hear," says Dr. Adeyemi. "What we repeatedly expose ourselves to influences our Insights, which shape the way we Formulate our decisions. Those decisions then inform what we implement (Transform), ultimately determining whether or not we Succeed, and get the oranges we've always wanted for ourselves."

This announcement is significant because it offers a new perspective on poverty, suggesting that it is not solely a matter of external circumstances but also of internal programming. Dr. Adeyemi's message provides hope that individuals can break free from the cycle by changing their mindset, which has implications for personal development, leadership training, and economic empowerment programs worldwide. His insights are particularly relevant for those from underprivileged backgrounds, as they offer a pathway to overcome limiting beliefs and achieve greater success.