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Ofweneke says over-familiarity with industry seniors could cost Gen Z opportunities
21st August, 2026 12:36 PM
Dr Ofweneke has sparked a conversation about professional etiquette, respect and the importance of understanding boundaries when dealing with people who are more experienced or senior in their careers.
Speaking about the relationship between younger professionals and established figures, the media personality argued that familiarity should not be mistaken for equality. In his view, knowing or interacting regularly with an influential person does not automatically make the two people professional peers.
“Many of you will lose a lot of opportunities simply because when you go to the palace, you didn’t know how to behave around the king,” he said.
Familiarity does not make you peers
Dr Ofweneke explained that young people can sometimes become too comfortable around industry leaders after gaining access to them. While younger generations may have more informal ways of communicating, he maintained that professional respect should remain important.
“Because we are not peers,” he said, explaining why he continues to maintain a respectful approach when interacting with established personalities.
He cited his relationships with personalities including Churchill, Jalang’o and MC Jesse, saying that familiarity has not changed how he addresses them.
Respecting experience and seniority
For Ofweneke, the issue is not about making younger people feel inferior. Instead, he believes people should recognise the experience and achievements of those who have spent years building their careers.
“Anyone who is senior by you in terms of professional skills and even age is not your peer,” he stated.
His argument also touches on traditional African values, where seniority and experience have historically been treated with respect. He suggested that younger people can embrace changing social norms without completely abandoning those values.
How professional etiquette can affect opportunities
The media personality warned that becoming overly familiar with influential people could have consequences, particularly in professional environments where relationships and networking can create opportunities.
He argued that some people may miss important opportunities because they fail to understand how to conduct themselves around people who have greater experience or influence.
Ofweneke also defended the importance of using professional titles, connecting his own title to the years of work behind it.
“My name is Dr Ofweneke. I put in sweat. I put in hard work for that name to become Dr Ofweneke,” he said.
His remarks have therefore raised a broader question about modern workplace culture: can younger professionals embrace informality and new ways of communicating while still recognising experience, seniority and professional boundaries?
