When your Why is clear, the How will find strength, and the What will find purpose – Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson Advices Young Lawyers 

Mary Akanbi

28th May, 2025

I remember the first time I read 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗵𝘆 by Simon Sinek. I wasn’t just reading pages – I was uncovering pieces of myself.

In a world that constantly demands 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 you do and 𝗵𝗼𝘄 you do it, this book asked a different, deeper question: 𝗪𝗵𝘆?

As a young lawyer, it’s easy to get swept up in the tide – chasing court appearances, billable hours, accolades. But here’s the truth I found in Sinek’s words: 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝘆, 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹.

Your 𝘸𝘩𝘺 is not your practice area. It’s not your GPA. It’s not even the firm you work for. Your 𝘸𝘩𝘺 is the fire in your bones – the reason you chose law in the first place.

For me, it was justice. It was dignity. It was the belief that people – especially the vulnerable – deserve to be seen, heard, and protected.

So, dear young lawyer:

𝗪𝗵𝘆 did you step into this path?

𝗪𝗵𝘆 do you keep showing up even when it’s hard?

𝗪𝗵𝘆 must your voice be heard in this generation?

Revisit your why.

Reignite it.

Because when your 𝘄𝗵𝘆 is clear, the 𝗵𝗼𝘄 will find strength, and the 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 will find purpose.

💭 “𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘣𝘶𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰; 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘵.” – Simon Sinek

Keep moving. The world needs your why.

Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson 💛

#WednesdayWisdom 

#StartWithWhy 

#YoungLawyers 

#Leadership 

#PurposeDriven 

#LegalLife

#PossibilityMovement