CAPACITIES TO BUILD FOR LEADERSHIP 1

CAPACITIES TO BUILD FOR LEADERSHIP 1

  October 20, 2018    InspireForte Solutions

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I’m quite sure you might have come across the familiar deep words of Leadership Expert, John C. Maxwell which reads: “Everything rises and falls on leadership”. Why then do many people still fail to lead right? Why do many leaders fall from grace to grass? Why is leadership a problematic issue for many organizations, nations, and even individuals? The answer is not far- fetched – the reason is because many fail to build capacities for leadership. They fail to understand that leadership positions doesn’t make one a true leader. True Leadership is not about titles, but it’s about visible impact. It is not even about status, but it’s about making a difference. You are regarded as a true leader when you are able to be the difference-maker in any sphere of influence you find yourself. When you help your nation, organization, and people around you to succeed and surpass their expectataions, then you are a true leader. So when then is building capacity for leadership important? It’s simple to understand - If you want to build a really good house, the standard requirements must be met to ensure the house can hold firm and last long. The same goes for leadership – there are capacities you need to build in order to be a leader who will keep a lasting legacy. The big question is: what capacities do you need to build for leadership? I’ll share with you seven (7) capacities to build for leadership:

1. THE CAPACITY OF PURPOSE

As a leader the first capacity you need to build is purpose – the discovery who you really are. Knowing who you are starts with the discovery of the reason why you were created and the crux of your existence here on earth. Your purpose unlocks your identity and leads to your fulfillment. Rick Warren in his book, ‘THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE wrote: ”Nothing matters more than knowing God’s purpose for your life, and nothing can compensate for not knowing it – not success, wealth, fame or pleasure. Without a purpose, life is motion without meaning, activity without direction, and events without reason”. I totally agree with him. Many people do so much in leadership with little or no progress to show for because of lack of purpose. According to a research by Bana Group, it reveals that one out of every two persons is trying to figure out their purpose in life. It is your purpose that gives potency to your potentials, talents and gifts as tools for effective leadership. It is also expedient to understand that it is your purpose that uncovers your mission – calling and assignment, and it also gives you a clear idea about your heritage and your destiny. As a leader, you cannot help others discover themselves if you have not discovered yourself.

2. THE CAPACITY TO FOLLOW

In the world today, almost everybody wants to be the leader, but only a few are willing to follow. Effective followership is the product of effective leadership. In fact, the first commandment of true leadership is for you to master the art and practice of purposeful followership. You cannot lead effectively if you don’t follow and can’t allow yourself to be led. Authors, David Heenan and Warren Bennis wrote: “Learning the secrets and skill of great No.2s remains the surest path to becoming No. 1.” The

truth is followership is a discipline of supporting leaders and helping them to lead well – it is an act of quality and productive service.

3. THE CAPACITY OF SELF-DISCIPLINE

Why are some leaders more successful than others? Why do some leaders accomplish more in the same number of years and same resources than the great majority? Why are some leaders more appreciated, valued and celebrated than others? One of the secret of successful leaders is their ability to lead self through the art and practice of self-discipline. Self-discipline is the ability to what is right even when it is not convenient for you or you don’t feel like doing it. Great leaders understood that it is the training of the body and the mind to achieve desired goals. No wonder Greek Philosopher, Plato asserted: “The first and best victory is to conquer self”. The battle of self-discipline is an internal one that needs to be decisively and consciously won. A leader will struggle to live to the fullness of his potentials until he learns to deal with the desires of his carnal mind and body – he must learn to guard his thoughts, control his desires and plan his actions. The truth is that the most difficult person to lead is you, and until you lead yourself, you cannot lead others effectively.

To get the other four (4) capacities to build for leadership, please share your afterthoughts about this leadership lesson in the comment zone.I will love to hear from you.

Cheers!