Dear readers,
#Because it's Week 1 of the 5 Series, 5 months Campaign!
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When Marriage Is A KPI
10 women. 1 goal: Marry a man abroad. But behind the drama is a lesson in people, culture, and management.
In my novel Dim Noo Abroad, the Eastern Nigerian marriage market is a battleground. The girls strategise, gossip, lie, and manipulate their way towards one goal: status.
Sounds like workplace politics? That’s because it is.
From Miracle’s high-performance, low-integrity hustle, to Dumebi’s desperate decision-making, to Caro’s overlooked wisdom, every character mirrors someone you’ve worked with.
As we begin the Desperate Wives Series under Where Fiction Meets Function, I’ll unpack 10 real HR lessons from this fictional drama novel.
1. Don’t Hire for Image — Hire for Intention
Character: Stella
Insight: Stella’s obsession with projecting the “perfect married image” mirrors many hires made for aesthetics or social fit rather than alignment of values. In organizations, when people are recruited to look the part (titles, accents, affiliations) instead of being the part, chaos follows.
2. Performance Without Integrity is a Risk
Character: Miracle
Insight: Miracle is sharp, manipulative, and can get things done, but often by crossing moral lines. In the workplace, this is your “results at all costs” employee. They deliver, until the ethics committee gets involved.
3. Culture is Contagious — Especially the Toxic Kind
Group Dynamic: The 10 girls share a culture of desperation masked as ambition.
Insight: When the majority of a team believes “getting ahead” requires manipulation or deception, it creates a groupthink that is hard to break. Culture doesn’t need approval to spread, just acceptance.
4. Desperation Breeds Poor Decisions
Character: Dumebi
Insight: Dumebi’s desire to marry a man abroad clouds her judgment entirely. In HR, desperation to fill roles often leads to wrong hires, or worse, compromise in ethics and standards.
5. People Lie on Their Resumes… and in Relationships
Character: Multiple girls who lie about their status, partner, lifestyle
Insight: Just like CV fraud, people lie to fit in socially or professionally. It’s not just about screening, it’s about creating a culture where honesty is more rewarding than deception.
6. Unseen People May Be the Wisest
Character: Caro
Insight: Caro, often overlooked, provides wise commentary. In the workplace, the janitor may have better insight into the culture than the CEO. Always listen to the ones who observe more than they speak.
7. Emotional Labour is Still Labour
Character: Tessy & Amara
Insight: These characters are emotionally drained from trying to meet expectations. In the workplace, emotional labour (trying to appear cheerful, polite, professional) especially for women, should be acknowledged and supported.
8. Diversity Without Inclusion is Performative Setting
Character: Different personalities, backgrounds, behaviours
Insight: The girls are diverse but exclusionary; they form cliques, gossip, and create hierarchies. A reminder that having a diverse team is not enough if inclusion isn’t part of the system.
9. Sometimes, Conflict Is a Cry for Help
Character: Glory
Insight: Her combative behaviour masks insecurity and unmet emotional needs. HR should be skilled at distinguishing between problem employees and employees with problems.
10. Desire for Validation is a Hidden Driver
Character: Hallelujah & Kemi
Insight: These characters want public acknowledgment more than private peace. In organizations, people stay in toxic jobs or relationships because the title makes them feel seen.
What do you think?
In case you missed the initial post and the free book, click HERE.
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