Myown - Wisdom For Daily Living

10/01/2025

23/03/2024

HIERARCHIES OF LEADERSHIP 1
THE POSITIONAL LEADER

1 Samuel 2:12-17

The entire Scripture is filled with a compendium of people who are regarded as leaders by virtue of their position. The sons of Eli were no different. They were born into a lineage of priesthood. They did not 'earn' their leadership status. Moreso, they always went against laid down rules and regulations and thus it was difficult for people to follow them. They eventually started using their position to 'force' people to follow them. Hophni and Phinehas were positional leaders.

Position is the lowest level of leadership—the entry level. Theonly influence a positional leader has is that which comes withthe job title. People follow because they have to. Positionalleadership is based on the rights granted by the position andtitle.

Nothing is wrong with having a leadership position.Everything is wrong with using position to get people tofollow. Position only makes you a boss. Bosses rely on rules, regulations, policies, andorganization charts to control their people. Their people willonly follow themwithin the stated boundaries of theirauthority. And their people will usually do only what isrequired of them, i.e, the barest minimum. When positional leaders ask for extra effort ortime, they rarely get it. Anyone can be appointed to a position.

As a leader who wishes to grow in influence, having or not having a position should not be a limiting factor. Position can help you learn responsibility but it should not make you proud. Always remember that you do not need a position to influence people.

ACTION POINTS
1. On a scale of one to ten, how can you rate the importance of position in influencing people? One is irrelevant. Ten is extremely important.

2. Does the position make the leader or does the leader make the position?

3. Are you a positional leader?

4. Have you experienced or currently experiencing the traits of positional leaders?

16/03/2024

WISDOM FOR DAILY LIVING
*HIERARCHIES OF LEADERSHIP*

_ACTS 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth._

From the above scripture, we can see that God promised to give the disciples power. Not just any kind of power, but the power to influence. That’s leadership. We have already defined leadership as influence. How far that influence extends or rather the basis of the influence is what determines the hierarchies of leadership. The disciples were to be empowered to have influence over their immediate locality from where they will then spread out until their influence reaches every part of the globe. That’s interesting.

Leadership exists in hierarchies and I’ll be borrowing John C. Maxwell’s explanation from the FIVE LEVELS OF LEADERSHIP to explain this – it’s a great book on leadership; I recommend that you read it. In his book, John C. Maxwell explained that there are 5 levels of leadership:

1. Position
2. Permission
3. Production
4. People development
5. Pinnacle

In the weeks to follow, I’ll be elaborating on each of these levels of leadership. However, we ought to know that every leader is not the same and neither is the sphere of influence the same. We also ought to know that there are determinant factors to influence and that anyone can rise from one level of leadership to another.

It’s all about growth, discipline and consistency. When a leader refuses to grow, he/she will be stuck at one level of leadership and over time, the law of diminishing marginal utility will set in.

*ACTION POINTS*
*SELF REFLECTION:*
1. What makes you a leader?
2. Can you influence people?
3. To what extent can you influence people on a scale of one to ten? One is rarely and ten is always.
4. What makes it possible for you to influence the people you influence?
5. Why haven’t you been able to influence everyone

09/03/2024

WISDOM FOR DAILY LIVING

THE ROLE OF LEADERSHIP

Exodus 13:21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and by night:

Leadership is the bedrock of every institution, group or society. Like we’ve mentioned earlier, it is woven into the very fabric of our existence. Everything rises or falls on leadership. The role of leadership is so important that it exists even in the animal kingdom.

Leadership provides vision and direction. That is the reason why even though all men and women are equal before God, He still picked out one entity (man) and placed him as the head of the home.
Leadership is the glue that holds every part of a system together. Simply put, it is like the CPU of a computer. Without it, both the input and output devices are irrelevant. If the leadership style is wrong, the organization suffers; when it is good, the organization thrives.

Leaders serve as role models. They provide clarity, communication, motivation, guidance, strategy, efficiency, decision-making, accountability, conflict resolution strategies, among other elements. Leaders set the ‘’tone’’ of any organization, group or society.

Leaders provide a view beyond what everyone else can see. Thus, they help to ensure balance. The role of leadership, leadership responsibility and training can never be over-emphasized and will keep evolving as the society continues to grow and evolve.

ACTION POINTS
Self-reflection

1. Do you belong to any organization or group?
2. Do you have a leadership structure?
3. Does your organization/group have a functional system?
4. If yes, do you have good understanding of the system?
5. If no, what could be the challenges towards building a functional system?
6. Do you think you will require external help resolving those challenges?

Feel free to contact us if you need one on one coaching on leadership and organizational structuring.

02/03/2024

The role of passing through the process cannot be over-emphasized. Like we stated in the last topic, even if you were born with innate leadership skills, you will need proper training and education to hone those skills to effectiveness. Moreover, people tend to put their trust in leaders who have a proven track record of having passed through the process.

*ACTION POINTS*
*SELF-REFLECTION*
1. Do certain leadership abilities come naturally to you or do you need to exert extra effort?
2. Do you continuously seek to improve your leadership skills?
3. Are your daily habits patterned towards positive self-growth?
4. Are there gray areas in leadership which you think you may need help navigating?
5. List out those areas.
Make a list of resources you may need to consult to gain wisdom in those areas.
They may books, audio recordings, notes from trainings or a meeting with a mentor/guide.

You may choose to contact us through the email below: [email protected]

02/03/2024

WISDOM FOR DAILY LIVING
THE MADE LEADER

1 Samuel 22:1-2 so David departed and escaped to the cave of Adullam: and when his brother’s and father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone in distress or in debt or discontented gathered to him, and he became a commander over them. And there were with him about 400 men.
1 Chronicles 12:1 These are the ones who came to David at Ziklag, while he yet concealed himself because of Saul son of Kish; they were among his mighty men, his helpers in war.

The passages quoted above are excerpts from the story of David and his mighty men. It is a story that we may know all too well. While a lot of emphasis is laid on David and his exploits, we mostly seem to ignore the role those who were following him played.
David’s mighty men are a perfect example of leaders who were made. They weren’t born leaders. They didn’t come from influential homes. There was nothing special about them to begin with. In fact, they were men with diverse issues with trouble looming over their heads. However, over time, they became strong leaders; so much so that the Scriptures referred to them as ‘’mighty men’’.
We will yet talk about how this transformation took place in a different topic. Here, we want to emphasize the fact that these men became leaders through a process. It did not happen by magic. They went through several kinds of trainings. It was a journey and it took time.

The made leader is the leader who deliberately works to improve his/her leadership skills through training, education and learning from experience. The process of training produces seasoned leaders who are unshakeable even in the face of affliction.
However, made leaders have the tendency to begin to think that their successes are a product of themselves alone and not the success of the team. Therefore, they must be cautious not to become proud.

17/02/2024

*WISDOM FOR DAILY LIVING*

*THE NATURAL OR ‘’BORN’’ LEADER*

_Jeremiah 1:5 before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations._

A born or natural leader is someone with an innate capacity to effectively manage and lead groups of people to achieve collective goals. Such an individual performs such a task effortlessly and by default. This may be due to some special spiritual, emotional, social, psychological or economic endowment. It is not a product of learning or training. T uch leaders, motivating, inspiring and influencing people comes easy.

Natural leaders are highly passionate and have a strong sense of purpose. They are empathic and are great listeners. They also possess a high degree of self-confidence. Natural leaders are highly intuitive. People naturally love and flock towards natural leaders because of their high positive energy.

The natural leaders make leadership look easy. However, a major setback is usually the habit of ignoring the place of training to sharpen the leader’s abilities and reflexes. Sometimes, it may be the proud action of looking down on other leaders whose performances do not match theirs. Natural leaders do not last long without the discipline of continuous training.
Natural leaders are important and needed in every group or organization. This is because of their ability to inspire others in a very special way. Are you a natural leader?

*ACTION POINTS*
1. Are you purposeful?
2. Do you have passion for what you do?
3. Do you find it easy and fulfilling encouraging and helping people?
4. Do people usually come to you for guidance?
5. Do you have any position, office or responsibility attached to your name by default?
6. Do you talents and abilities acquired without any real form of learning?
7. What is your opinion on continuous learning and training for growth and effectiveness?
8. Do you have challenges that you feel

10/02/2024

WISDOM FOR DAILY LIVING
03 ARE LEADERS BORN OR MADE?

ISAIAH 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (1 Chronicles 12:1, 1 Samuel 22:1-2)

Are leaders born or made? This has been an age-old question – and people have answered it based on their personal beliefs.

Many have argued that leaders are born. Such leaders as the child of a king or the C.E.O. of a company. Others also believe that some persons are born with the natural abilities to lead. Therefore, on these premises, they strongly opine that leaders are born.

A great many have also maintained that leaders are made. They opine that no one can be boldly called a leader if he or she does not possess certain leadership qualities which have been gained through thorough training and experience.
These two parallel schools of thought are, from their perspectives, correct. Though, incomplete. When we consider the true essence of leadership and what it entails, we can safely agree that leaders can be born and as well made. However, sustainable impact cannot be achieved without a leader who has been seasoned by time and process (experience and learning).

Jesus Christ is a perfect example of a born-leader. Right from conception, birth, teenage age and to adulthood, he was a leader. He was born to be in charge. However, he was subjected to a rigorous process of training and preparation for about 30 years in order to effectively carry out His goal as a leader.

What kind of leader are you?

ACTION POINTS
Self-reflection
1. Were you born into leadership?
2. Did you inherit any leadership position?
3. Do certain leadership qualities come to you naturally?
4. Are you the ‘’made’’ leader?
5. What sort of leader would you prefer? The natural leader or the made leader.

04/02/2024

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03/02/2024

*WISDOM FOR DAILY LIVING*
*02 WHO IS A LEADER?*

_1 Peter 5:2-3 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. (Luke 22:26)_

Leaders have been defined by many standards and from many different perspectives. Here are a few of them:

1. A leader is someone who has been given a position.
2. A leader is someone who can see how things can be improved and who rallies people round to move toward that better vision.
3. A leader is someone who takes charge and directs the efforts of others towards a common goal.
4. A leader is someone who is able to convince, guide, influence or inspire people.
5. A leader is someone who organizes or manages others.
6. A leader is a boss over a group of persons.
7. A leader is someone who has the ability to lead, guide or influence other individuals, teams or organizations.

These definitions, though, offering somewhat diverse perspectives, have a few things in common; they all highlight responsibility, people and/or effort directed toward a people or a goal. All the definitions above may be correct from their respective perspectives; they are however, incomplete. As a matter of essence, we must define the leader from a wholistic perspective.

Leadership is stewardship. Therefore, a leader is a steward. A leader is someone who has the responsibility to achieve a particular goal. That responsibility may have been self-generated or given to the person. It also implies that this individual already has the ability to achieve the set goal(s) or will seek to acquire or develop such abilities. Goals do not exist in isolation; they are to serve a purpose and thus, must be people-oriented. Therefore, the one who would be regarded as a leader would be one who would be accountable for guiding, directing, inspiring, convincing or influencing people towards such a goal wh

27/01/2024

*WISDOM FOR DAILY LIVING*

*01 WHY LEADERSHIP?*

_EPH 4:11-13 And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:_

Someone may be asking or wondering, ‘’Why are we talking about leadership? Why not healthy living? Or even money?’’ the reason is that no matter what we do or where we are, there will always be a need for leadership, in fact, good leadership.

You may have heard that everything rises or falls on leadership. This is not just some cliché saying but is entirely true in its essence. Right from the home, to religious organizations, to the business world, leadership is embedded in the very fabric of man’s existence. It is now left for man to decide, by his actions as well as inactions, whether it will be good leadership or bad leadership.

Leadership is responsibility. It is for work to be done. It is not for title or the pride of position. Anywhere work needs to be done, leadership is required. Even down to the sharing of food, leadership is needed.

Organizations and groups thrive on good leadership. The very opposite is the case for bad leadership. We can trace every success or failure to good or bad leadership. Good leadership provides vision and direction, it enhances efficiency, communication and productivity.

We may have read so much about leadership, attended leadership seminars and conferences, occupied various leadership positions; and may feel that we’ve known or heard all there is about leadership, THINK AGAIN. The need for leadership, leadership responsibility and training will keep growing and evolving as the society continues to grow and evolve.

*ACTION POINTS*

1. Identify and list out the major areas of your life that is in ne