Patience And Partnership: Leadership Lessons From The Field.

I've served in various leadership roles in the past. In church, in my fellowship, in school and all. And even though I was still young and growing then, I knew so well that leaders had roles aren't just for giving instructions and making sure it is followed. I've never loved those who misuse power, so I'm always careful while holding a position. It is not always easy though.

I'm currently the CDS president where I'm serving, and I can tell you in all honesty that people don't just follow and listen to you because you carry a title, no. They actually follow you because they feel they can trust you. And a lot of times I've been pushed to the wall, we all know what we humans are capable of. A lady once did something about two months ago now, we were at a school to carry out a CDS activity, I could have said something or did something then, but I kept calm, it was on the clearance day we saw each other again and she pleaded for what happened then blaming it on her mood as at then, but she said something that makes me smile, she said she loves the way I handled it back then.

That is a leader. A lady also messaged me on Whatsapp around that time. It was even a voice note that she sent, she started saying a lot of things about some of the programs we've held. Then I responded to her by saying I love what she said and I'm open to learning, guess what, her next voice note was said in a very calm tone, I didn't even say anything relating to how she addresses me, she herself pleaded with me on her manner of approach on her next message.

An effective, good and followable leader is one who can listen, understand, stay calm, respect and is willing to serve and not to be served. I'm not saying I'm perfect, not at all, there are days we argue and all in our excos group, but then I've seen how that patience and good communication can help solve problems without being authoritative.

And teamwork is just as important as leadership itself. No matter how committed and all I am, you will agree with me that I can't hold, organize and do a program on my own. We've had a lot of programs and everything has been a success. Be it while I was in school, in church and everywhere I've been opportune to serve.

For these CDS programs we do hold, I've been able to start an outreach where we go to different schools to talk to them about hygiene, be it feminine hygiene, restroom etiquette, menstrual care and all. All of it was made possible through teamwork. We've never gone to a school and not share either pads, soaps, toothpaste and brush and the likes for students. I can't have been able to come up with such an amount to do all of that. That is teamwork. So, as a leader it is important that you carry everyone along, make them understand your goal, seek opinions and all, that way no matter how difficult the tasks may be, it will become easier.

And these lessons are applicable any and everywhere, at home, in school, at work, and even amongst people. Real leaders aren't the loudest, they are the ones who inspires others to give their best. That's why I always pick random members to give speech and lectures on our various outreaches. It can't always be, it shouldn't always be me. I understand that we all have different abilities, but we all need one another to function. Yes, when my ability plus yours comes together, then we can create a result that a single person wouldn't have been able to.

To me, that is what true leadership and teamwork is all about.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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Images are mine.

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