Leadership is about taking responsibilities, stepping up
to challenges and never be found wanting. For me the roadmap
to leadership is a gradual step. If you have never been a
good follower, there’s no way you can be a good leader. By
being a follower, a good one at that, you already know how
not to be a bad leader.
A leader is one who is honest, committed to a cause, ideals,
goals, transparent and not deceitful. He is one who is able
to carry other members of his group along, with a listening
ear devoid of judgmental opinions.
With all of these traits and more, it is important for a
leader to be decisive, take up challenges and never let
followers down by springing up negative surprises and
betrayals. Some people believe leaders are born, other say
they are made, I believe true leaders are they are born and
made! Nothing good in life is just given, it has to be
earned too. Acquire the skills that will ensure you are not
just a good leader, but one worthy of being emulated.
Growing up, all I wanted to be was a journalist, a broadcast
journalist. Bringing information to the people, being the
voice of the voiceless, the bruised, the hurt, the trampled
upon, the neglected, the forsaken, the unheard among others.
But how then would I be able to achieve all of these without
getting the right skills, littler wonder one of my dreams,
vision and drive is to acquire best practices in the
business of journalism and I am stopping at nothing to be at
the peak of my career and not just wanting it on a platter
of gold. Not for the position alone but also to affect the
world around me positively, living a purpose driven life.
The only mentors in the professional line I had while
growing up were the one I saw read the news and report on
tv. My first contact with a broadcasting house was after my
first year in higher institution, although all through
school I went on to acquire professional trainings sponsored
by my father who believed in me and encouraged me. Though,
some people do not have the same opportunity, I also believe
same opportunity can do a lot of good too if it came
early.
These brought me to the realization of helping younger
people with my skills and talents to help them fashion their
path early in life, to get grounded in their dreams and
aspirations. I intend to do this not only for people who see
their passion in journalism but in other professions too. I
see the learning by doing style of imparting knowledge in
the US education system. I wish more of these can be done in
my country, but before then I will do my part in channelling
this dream to reality.
I believe if we begin to inculcate the right teachings,
motivations and encouragements into younger people from
scratch, we’ll be able to reclaim our society and
build a virile and conducive one.
My Humphrey year is doing a good job of introducing ‘me to
me’! Everyone is unique in his or her own way, you only need
to find yourself and what you are good at. It is not
profitable or purpose driven to get involve in a whole lot
of activity as opposed to productivity, if you can put up
with the two, good luck, if not, it’s not a bad zone.
There is no one way to success, define your path, be focus,
avoid distractions, mistakes come, do not dwell in it. It
doesn’t matter the number of times you fall or fail, what
matters most is not staying down in such ‘failures’. As Rick
Warren said in his book, Purpose driven life, ‘If God only
used perfect people, nothing will ever get done.
