Nurtural versus Natural Leadership; Reflections from Studership 2.0 Leadership Programme

Last week was incredibly amazing!

The week started with an online engagement with participants of the Studership 2.0 Leadership Programme – emerging leaders from 38 countries in five continents (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America). It is believed that young people are the greatest assets of any nation, and our contribution to personal and global development is quintessential. As leaders however, we need to clarify, and identify where we stand, as we continue in the voyage of leadership, personal and global development.

In the realm of leadership study, questions of nature versus nurture of leaders have always been one of the frequently asked questions. In a similar vein, we asked ‘Are Leaders Born or Made?’, creating a poll with the options of ‘Leaders are Born’, ‘Leaders are Made’, and ‘Leaders are Born and Made’. After a thoughtful and enlightening session of conviction and explanation of diverse opinion, 12.9% of respondents opined that leaders are born, 16.13% opined that leaders are made while 70.97% of participants chose that leaders are born and made.

Personally, i believe that though the circumstance surrounding birth and upbringing may influence ‘certain traits’, leaders – depending on the context of definition of leaders – are born and made. Everyone has a potential for growth, if provided with the right resources, platform and unwavering commitment. The major difference between those born to occupy certain leadership/royal position and great leaders is the continuous self awareness and commitment to growth.

In furtherance of the concept behind this discuss, we advised – during our first broadcast held later in

the week - that as leaders, it is essential we have a vision. Theodore Hesburgh had advised that ‘the very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision’, a vision that is people-based, value-based and creates a mental illustration (picture) of a world that works for everyone – an illustration which you can clearly articulate in every situation. Apart from having a vision, another step to developing the leader in you is that you need to seek clarity on your values. Identify and live your life by core values; you may make a commitment to live by the values of integrity, responsibility, credibility, appreciation, 'exemplarity', among others.

To make this easy - but not easier – you may decide to start by writing an ‘ideal’ tribute to yourself; write the way you want to be seen by people, how you want your generation to see you, what you want history to record about you. Second, discover your ‘real’ self; be faithful to know where you are and where you stand. Understand who you are, what your passion is and where your strengths lie. Note the difference between WHO you are currently and who you aspire to be – as written. Third, make an action plan. Write your credo and stick to it.

Now the big questions; how conscious are you about yourself? Are you committed to your personal growth? Can you state your vision of a world that works for everyone? Are you living by your core values?

I’ll love to read from you.

Keep Growing, Keep Leading!

__________

Aanu Damola Morenikeji is considered Africa’s youngest youth intellectual and leadership development advocate. A sought-after speaker on the theme of leadership and personal growth, he is an alumnus of the M121 Social Leadership Academy, U.S.A and founder of Studership Youth Leadership Academy – an initiative of All for Development Foundation [ADM-Foundation]. He blogs at www.admnigeria.blogspot.com and can be reached via damolamore@gmail.com.

Read More

Of Thinking, Thought and Thinkers

What are you thinking? This emblematic question reminds me of the timeless principle of thought, which states that ‘as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he’.

True! A man is literally what he thinks, and is character is the complete sum of all his thoughts. The life you live today is as a result of the thoughts you entertained yesterday. To live a different life tomorrow, you have to change your thoughts today.

According to the classical author, James Allen, ‘a man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind. Just as a gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, and growing flowers and fruits which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all the wrong and impure thoughts, and cultivating towards perfection, the flowers and fruits of right, useful and pure thoughts’.

As individuals and a nation, we must learn that we cannot grow beyond the quality of our thought. Yet, i have observed that one reason we are still where we are is that we desire to change the situation without changing our thoughts.

I once read that the battle for control and leadership of the world has always been waged most effectively at the idea (thought) level. An idea, whether right or wrong, that captures the minds of a nation’s youth will soon work its way into every area of the society, especially in our multi-media age. Ideas (thoughts) determine consequences.

It is only when we make the right changes to our thinking do other things begin to turn out right. Remember that your thought influences your attitude; your attitude determines your altitude, and influences your behaviour and character. To change your altitude, change your thoughts.

It is essential for us to note that everything begins with a thought. Everything we see today began as a thought. What we think determine what we do; what we do is a determinant of who we are. The truth is that we can change the quality of life we live by changing the way we think.

Finally, I challenge you to take up the challenge of becoming a skilled thinker, which will make you face a battery of hitherto unanswered question and change your perspective to series of unquestioned answer. This challenge of critical thinking provides the impetus for reformulating our view of the world; through it, we can appreciate the intellectual work required to change our thinking and our lives in fundamental ways. Through it, we can grasp the need to regularly re-examine the extent of our ignorance. Through it, we can grasp the need for regular exercise of disciplined thought, and through it, we can understand the long-term nature of intellectual development, social change, personal growth and transformation.

I look forward to reading from you.

Start thinking right, keep growing!

_________

Aanu Damola Morenikeji is considered Africa’s youngest youth intellectual and leadership development advocate. A sought-after speaker on the theme of leadership and personal growth, he is an alumnus of the M121 Social Leadership Academy, U.S.A and founder of Studership Youth Leadership Academy – an initiative of All for Development Foundation [ADM-Foundation]. He blogs at www.admnigeria.blogspot.com and can be reached via damolamore@gmail.com.

Read More

Studership 2.0 Leadership Programme Participants List Released

We are delighted to announce that after a careful review of several applications for participation in the Studership 2.0 Leadership Programme, motivation and resultant positive effects on communities around the world, One hundred and six (106) young leaders from thirty-eight countries have been globally selected to participate in the programme (list published on www.studership.blog.com).

Studership is a knowledge-based, activity-oriented and growth focused youth/student leadership academy that equips emerging leaders with leadership skills and knowledge, while broadening their understanding of personal development, leadership, sustainable change, and promoting / developing integrity and values-based leadership for practical, personal and professional application.

An initiative of All for Development Foundation [ADM-Foundation], the academy runs programmes aimed at helping emerging leaders discover themselves, deploy their own abilities, reach the height of their own capacities, refine their personalities, strengthen their leadership qualities/strategies, stimulate growth-oriented thinking and behaviour and contribute purposefully to societal development.

Important dates of the Studership 2.0 Leadership Programme, which is as follows;

22nd July, 2013 – Online discussion begins
29th July, 2013 – GrowthStudy commences
30th August, 2013 – Submission of GrowthStudy review
• 19th – 22nd September, 2013 – Studership 2.0 Leadership Summit in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

We appreciate everyone who applied to participate, recommended the programme for emerging leaders and everyone who had us in their prayers.

Best regards,

Studership 2.0 Leadership Programme Organising Team

Read More

Integral Leadership and Educational Development; ADM visits Federal College of Education

Tomorrow (Thursday, 4th July, 2013), i will be addressing students of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta on the topic 'Integral #Leadership and Educational #Development' at the annual lecture organised by the Education Students Association of Nigeria.

If you are within Abeokuta, let us make it a date at the Aduke Maina Lecture Theatre of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta by 10:00am.

Looking forward to your presence.

Keep #Growing, Keep #Leading.

ADM

Read More