Leadership, Responsibility, Service, Mutual respect

1. 3 THINGS EVERY LEADER SHOULD KNOW
Introduction
In 2014, Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) rated Nigeria as 136
corrupt country in the world.
Nigeria has experienced infrastructure deficit, political instability, cash crunch and other
contributing factors that has kept us in the league of third world nations. Despite our
environmental factors, Nigeria’s perceived way out of its challenge is its willingness to embrace
good governance. A large number of Nigeria’s population has indicated that if we get our
leadership obligation right, we would rid corruption to a minimum. There is no doubt that a lot of
awareness has been done by civil societies and non-profits, however, most of them lack the
structure to accommodate aspiring leaders, groom them as well as direct their paths into the
political fabric that embodies the leadership of our nation, their structure ends in simulation and
not in the field of play. You realize that beyond these challenges, that leaders are able to
transcend, however, there are competencies they need to develop to fire up their influence and
acceptability by the citizenry, which endorses their role.
3 things every leader should know
1. Leadership style should transcend culture
Culture in this context is not necessarily ethnicity; it is nepotism, disregard for merit, and
low esteem for hard work and diligence. A leader’s style is who he is, with principles
based on personality ethics of standards that has stood the test of time. These values are
embedded in our habits and ultimately become the destiny of our nation. If we commit to
create and internalize accommodative styles of nurturing global networks, appraise
processes and systems to expose what works, and eventually implement results of what
works to collectively engage our community of citizens, this is of utmost a style that
absorbs value and excellence and not people by bias.
2. Leadership is not superiority
Leadership is neither superiority nor inferiority; it is the neutrality and balance between
the two. Leadership in Africa has been positional, often times when the individual leaves
the seat of power, their influence becomes negligible. Balance in linking upwards,
downwards and across, ability to stretch to reach those who are far from the merit of our
role or leadership, is responsibility.
3. Leadership is an ongoing construction work
The moment leaders think they have reached the buildup, they begin to decline. Idi Amin
of Uganda promoted himself to the position of Field Marshall, however, what was
obtainable at his time of reign was brutal killings, lack of freedom and economic
jeopardy. Our perception of growth should be one of a journey in relation to going
beyond yesterday, it keeps us open, innovative and improves our ability to solve
problems.

2. Responsibility should be to everybody and nobody; it is in return to the election of
leaders by citizens and an obligatory role.
Emmanuel Otori is a Public Speaker, Life Coach and Trainer on Leadership,
Business and Management.
Email: emmanuelotori@zoho.com