Debbie Oli’s recent appointment as a Partner with Deloitte, one of the world’s top accounting firms proves that the only limit to what you can achieve in your lifetime on earth is simply in your mind.
Debbie’s dad Gideon Oli is from Irupara, Central Province, and her mum Helen is Scottish.
Debbie is the only girl in the family as she told PNG Entrepreneur Magazine in an exclusive interview.
Despite being raised by a family with very strong values towards equality and hard work, she always felt inadequate given her educational background.
“I have also been extremely blessed to be raised in a family with very strong values towards equality and hard work. Although I am the only girl, with 3 brothers, I never felt there was something my brothers did that I couldn’t do.
“We were all taught the importance of hard work, and that is a value I live by. It is this family support that has also made it possible for me to reach a partnership.
“Like many others, I have been through some tough personal challenges, but these have also made me a stronger person and have had an impact in our professional career”
Debbie struggled with imposter syndrome because she judged her ability based on her educational background.
Imposter syndrome involves feelings of self-doubt and personal incompetence that persist despite one’s education, experience, and accomplishments.
The thoughts like ‘How could someone who went to Gerehu High School or Port Moresby National High, compete against someone who had gone to school overseas’, kept her in a mental prison she built around herself and this prevented her from realizing her full potential.
Debbie attended Gerehu High School from grade 7 to 10 and was the vice head girl.
She then went on to do her grades 11 and 12 at Port Moresby National High School where she became the female school captain.
She was selected to Pacific Adventist University where she graduated with a business degree at the top of her class in 2007 and joined Deloitte in 2008 according to an account given by her former classmate and current leading SME advocate and businessman, Des Yeninen.
Despite all her educational accomplishments, she still felt very inadequate. It took her 13 years of steady progress to make it to the top, while still fighting her imposter syndrome.
Once she realized what the imposter syndrome did to her by limiting her full potential, she worked on herself and broke the chains, and set herself free from her own mental prison.
In July 2021, Debbi Oli was appointed as a Partner with Deloitte, a feat achieved by only a few in Papua New Guinea.
She describes the ordeal in her own words;
“It wasn’t until I started being seconded overseas, and working alongside colleagues in Australia and the UK, that I realized I was my own biggest hurdle”
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, what education background you have, your attitude and your work ethic are what will set you up for success.
“So if you want others to believe in you, first learn to believe in yourself.
“But I didn’t make it this far on my own. I have had a lot of support from my family and close friends.
“So always surround yourself with people that will not only support you but also challenge you. Without being challenged or criticized, you cannot grow,”
Debbie has been in her role for 3 months she says and reckons there is a lot about the role as a partner that she is still discovering.
“While we are part of a global company, we are here to serve PNG.
“Whether this is serving our clients or developing talented nationals within our team.
“This is the part of my role that I am most passionate about, being able to support and develop talent.
“The best moments for me are when I see team members, current or former, succeed in their careers.
“Whether it be a promotion within Deloitte or former Deloitte staff taking on senior positions elsewhere.
“We have had a number of staff leave to pursue their dreams in other areas such as fashion or baking.
“Seeing them use their experience from Deloitte, to help develop and grow in the SME sector is amazing.
“Knowing that you have had an impact on their development is the most satisfying part of my job,” Debbie says
Napoleon Hill once said, “Your only limitation is the one you set up in your own mind”
We hope Debbie Oli‘s story inspires you to open up your mind, set yourself free and dream even bigger and explore your full potential and be the best of whom you can become on earth.
