..Leadership In the 21st Century
posted March 2010 by Nation Builder
Leaders from all walks of life in the South West Region (NGOs, associations, educational establishments, managers, representatives from youth groups and youths) converged in Buea, Saturday March 6th for a one-day capacity building seminar on leadership in the conference hall of capitol hotel.
Organised by the Twenty-first Century Visionary and multidimensional organisation, Nation Builders International, the event featured as main speaker, the globalist, educator and author of more than fifty publications and chief executive officer of Nation Builders International, Dr. Benard Etta.
The summit, which had as theme “THE CHALLENGE OF LEADERSHIP”, was characterised by motivational talks on topics such as defining leadership in the context and perspective of the 21st century, qualities of a leader, the challenge of leadership (theme of the summit), as well as other key elements relating to the concept.
Dr. Benard Etta remarked that leaders are not followers, though they are developed through a process of followership; as such, their place is “ahead”. They are supposed to be pathfinders, road makers, ground breakers and pacesetters for the future. He challenged participants to develop pioneering skills, have a positive vision, be creative and not be limited to followership.
The resource person identified the motivation to bring about change, raising other leaders and the issue of succession as the key challenges in leadership. He added that it is through these that, people can move beyond followership, move ahead, be the path-way to national transformation and above all, be veritable instruments in this generation, who will make their mark in the 21st century.
Interestingly, the March 6th Buea Summit is just one in a series of national seminars and conferences to be organised by the Nation Builders International. A similar event has been scheduled to take place from the 20th – 21st of March 2010 at Muyaka. The seminar, which will begin at 5pm daily, and is free and opened to the public, has been captioned “Moving forward”. This will be followed by a host of others, before the grand rendezvous, “Vision 2010 Global Leadership Conference on the 21st Century”, billed for November 15th-21st 2010 in Yaoundé Cameroon.
BUEA 2010
Leaders from all walks of life in the South West Region (NGOs, associations, educational establishments, managers, representatives from youth groups and youths) converged in Buea, Saturday March 6th for a one-day capacity building seminar on leadership in the conference hall of capitol hotel.
Organised by the Twenty-first Century Visionary and multidimensional organisation, Nation Builders International, the event featured as main speaker, the globalist, educator and author of more than fifty publications and chief executive officer of Nation Builders International, Dr. Benard Etta.
The summit, which had as theme “THE CHALLENGE OF LEADERSHIP”, was characterised by motivational talks on topics such as defining leadership in the context and perspective of the 21st century, qualities of a leader, the challenge of leadership (theme of the summit), as well as other key elements relating to the concept.
Dr. Benard Etta remarked that leaders are not followers, though they are developed through a process of followership; as such, their place is “ahead”. They are supposed to be pathfinders, road makers, ground breakers and pacesetters for the future. He challenged participants to develop pioneering skills, have a positive vision, be creative and not be limited to followership.
The resource person identified the motivation to bring about change, raising other leaders and the issue of succession as the key challenges in leadership. He added that it is through these that, people can move beyond followership, move ahead, be the path-way to national transformation and above all, be veritable instruments in this generation, who will make their mark in the 21st century.
Interestingly, the March 6th Buea Summit is just one in a series of national seminars and conferences to be organised by the Nation Builders International. A similar event has been scheduled to take place from the 20th – 21st of March 2010 at Muyaka. The seminar, which will begin at 5pm daily, and is free and opened to the public, has been captioned “Moving forward”. This will be followed by a host of others, before the grand rendezvous, “Vision 2010 Global Leadership Conference on the 21st Century”, billed for November 15th-21st 2010 in Yaoundé Cameroon.
I- How should Leadership be defined in the 21st Century?
Leadership should be defined differently in the 21st century in relation to the peculiarities of the 21st century.
II- The 21st century is a leadership century
Every first decade of a century is a leadership decade and every first century of a millennium is the leadership century of that millennium. The breakthroughs of each leadership century would determine both life and the affairs of humanity in the future of that millennium. The failure of humanity in each first century of a millennium to make the right discoveries and to establish the paths for operations in the future will have terrible consequences as mankind will step into the future as blind horses, without direction and wisdom to cope with future opportunities, challenges and responsibilities.
III- Leadership Generation
A leadership generation is that generation which begins every new millennium. Each leadership generation is supposed to be a visionary generation. They are to be path finders, road makers, ground breakers and pace setters for those in the future. So much responsibility is levied on each leadership generation thus; the negative would prevail if this generation of people substitutes their destiny for trivial issues.
Most of the unprecedented calamities humanity faced in the pass centuries and millenniums were as a result of the failure of their leadership generations. Will this generation be counted as a failure or a success; this will depend on what we brace ourselves to do in this last ninety years of the 21st century.
IV-Defining leadership in the 21st century
Leadership is different from followership, to properly define leadership, the difference between leadership and followership must be taken into consideration. What is followership? Followership comes from the root word follow, which means to go after or come after something. It is very important to note that, every leadership success is traceable to successful followership. This implies, followership is not a destination but a process of leadership development. It is not also the purpose of leadership; leaders don't produce followers as the ultimate, leaders produce other leaders. Thus, the test of leadership is not in the numbers of followers but in the number of leaders developed and trained.
V- What is Leadership?
Leadership is the opposite of followership, which is to be ahead. What does it means to be ahead? The answer to this question brings out the characteristics of true leadership.
a- Vision: Leaders are visionaries that is, they see, think, imagine and plan ahead. What type of leader are you?
b- Standard of life: Leaders should be ahead in terms of standard of life. This is actually the greatest leadership test. (NB) Leaders are humans and can also make mistakes. A mistake in life is not a disqualification but perpetual malpractices.
c- Creator: Leaders create their own universe. They start things, launch projects and have an entrepreneurial and pioneering life style.
VI- What is leadership challenge?
Leadership challenge is in three dimensions
-The challenge to bring about change
-The challenge of raising other leaders
-the challenge of succession
VII- The making of a leader
-Life struggles
-Education and research
-Work/service
-Mentorship
-Divine enablement
VIII- Discovery of leadership potential
-Find your passion
-Learn from others with similar passions
-Start something
-Use failure as your trainer
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info@nationbuildersint.org
True Identity
posted March 2010 by Helen Etta
Identity as common as it might be, underlines the true essence of existence. It is a word commonly used our societies and nations; people identify themselves with families, particular group of friends, people of the same social stratum and most important their nations.
Identity is the principal criterion which maps our races, tribe, nationalities, societal status, families and individual uniqueness. Despite the so much talk on identity, individuals, societies and nations are still found wanting in the scale of true identity because their definition of identity was shallow and is still shallow. It is commonly said your definition determine your destination.
Journey with me to the discovery of true identity because until we discover, we can't recover our true identity. True identity by my definition is individual, societal and national uniqueness expressed through definite products in forms of inventions innovations, creations, solutions and ideas. There are no two societies or nations with the same characteristics in all aspects. They might look alike in certain aspects but there is always a dividing line between nations and societies in terms of uniqueness. That is why, each individual has his or her unique finger prints; societies have their norms and cultures, and each nation has her flag and constitutions to govern them.
True identity can only be seen when we can recognize our potential as individuals, societies and nations and maximize them to the fullest. Our difference and true identity lies in our unique endowment (potential)
Therefore our true identity is the full expression of our unique potential (innate abilities capabilities) that which distinguishes us from others. This is different from the identity of our family backgrounds, tribes, race, social status or nationality.Without the expression of our unique potential as our true identity, our family, tribal and social identity alone will leave us missing in the crowd.
When ones true identity is expressed, other forms of identification will be mere formalities. Ones unique products, ideas and ideals will make one out in the crowd and give one access into others nations for exchange. The inferiority of most developing societies and nations is due to the failure to developed and express their uniqueness, this leave them with very little to show or compete with their developed counterparts. Developed nations at times impose their products, culture etc on developing nations because we are doing little to develop our unique potentials, which could put us on equal terms. The expression of individuality in terms of potential is the true identity which can lead naturally to the emancipation of individuals, societies and nations. Let's go for our true identity; we have opportunities all around us and have all what it takes to become if we will focus on what we have and not what we lack. With knowledge of who we are and inspirations from others who have gone ahead of us, we can surface to limelight and be number one and leaders in our own capacity.
Are You Small or Powerful
posted March 2010 by Patricia Omoqui
Are you small or powerful? I invite you to answer this key question. Your answer determines the role you choose to play in transforming your personal life and building your nation.
Whether I am talking with Nigerians, Ugandans, South Africans, Angolans or Congolese (you name the nationality), I hear the following: I am insignificant. I am too small to make a difference. So why should I bother trying?
Wow. Defeated even before beginning. Notice how a limiting belief like this can keep a person feeling trapped in the daily grind. Then notice how, when the majority of individuals in a community hold this belief, the community stagnates. Zoom out farther. Notice that when the consensus of people in a nation becomes, “There is nothing we can do,” the nation languishes.
Do these conditions reflect a correct understanding of life? I don't think so.
Are we small or are we far more powerful than we understand? I've discovered the latter to be true.
Perhaps you believe that you are small only because you have learned to see yourself that way. Remember when you were a young child? Didn't you think you had super-powers, that you could do absolutely anything? Weren't your dreams as big as the sky?
In their innocence, the children among us are actually demonstrating profound wisdom. They may not know how to use their power, but they know they have it as a birthright of life. They have not yet been programmed to accept limitations. They have not yet begun to compare themselves with othersto undergo the conditioning that seems almost unavoidable for humanity during this era on planet Earth.
Unfortunately, as children share their enthusiastic visions of life's possibilities, their parents, friends, and teachers counter with dismissal. They say things like, "That's crazy. You'll never be able to do that. It's not possible. You are just a little kid. Stop spinning fantasies. Be practical. Learn to fit in. You aren't that smart or talented and our family certainly doesn't have the resources."
Every such comment is a dart attacking the child's tender, naturally expanding spirit. When so judged, the wounded spirit retreats within. The disillusioned children bite their lip, mourn the loss of their dream, and resign themselves to the belief in littleness that others proclaim as truth. Can you identify with this experience? Does it conjure for you a long forgotten dream?
Conflict brews. Deep inside our inner longing to reach our highest potential begs for attention yet we suppress it. Our thinking has been infected with the idea that we are inadequate.
I have good news for you. That spirit that loved to dream, which went into hiding in childhood, is still alive and powerful. It is your link with Life itself. It wants to emerge and unfold, filling your life with joy and meaning.
If you could do absolutely anything, what would it be? If you could change your country, what would these changes look like?
As children we understood innately that we are expressions of Life, joined to the Source of Life who is wise, powerful, abundant and loving. Our Creator yearns to express through each of us. Each of us is lovingly accorded free willcontinual opportunities to choose moment by moment how we want to view ourselves. Our belief about who we are, separate and little or connected and powerful, determines how our life plays out.
Look at your mindset. Closely examine your thoughts. I encourage you to do this for YOU. I ask YOU to begin to open to your own power, because if you do, then your life WILL improve. I have to admit that my invitation is somewhat selfish: If your life improves, then my World gets better. I long for the day when all human beings are truly happy, fulfilling their potential.
When you recognize your oneness with the powerful Life within, you find yourself getting off your couch, opting out of negativity and gossip, and taking steps toward your dreams. A clearer and clearer vision of what you truly want begins to form. You awaken the boundless creativity within you. New opportunities emerge and you find yourself naturally moving toward them, using the guidance and strength Life offers you.
You don't stop. You can't stop because you are remembering your true self. You know you have the support of the Universe. Naysayers don't matter anymore. You wake up every morning open to Life--infused with passion, power and tenacity. People say, "You are crazy. That can't work. That can't happen."
And you respond, "I understand that you think that way. I respect your right to choose. I see life differently. I want to live life fully. I am here for a purpose and I am fulfilling it. I can make a difference.”
Inspiring, isn't it? Feel that energy. Do you sense how exhilarating it is to own your power? Feel this inside yourself.
Your current life situation may feel daunting. You may be accustomed to cowering and thinking, “These problems are too big. I am lucky if I survive today let alone making a difference in my community or my country."
Yes, you may be in difficult circumstances. What I am asking you to do is see the situation from a fresh perspective. The one thing you CAN control is your mind. You can adhere to whatever belief you choose. Be aware of what you do believe. Watch your thoughts. Notice what you are saying to yourself and to others. Then, decide if you want to keep to the old "programs" that you inherited. If not, accept this fact: you can choose instead to cultivate beliefs that empower and enable you to rise above any life circumstance and open to miraculous possibilities.
Remember, the challenges we as nations face now were created one thought, word and action at a time. The way to create the new is to move toward it one thought, word and action at a time.
If you don't believe in you, NOBODY else will. If you don't believe that your country can change, NOBODY else will either. Change starts with your mind. Then it naturally enters your words and actions.
Here is the bottom line. Will you open to the idea that you are powerful, that each moment you spend on Earth is an opportunity? Will you become aware of the energy of Life surging through your veins? Will you enter the silence and open to the Wisdom flowing into your heart and mind?
You will never know until you try.
I believe in you. I believe in us.
Here are a few new thoughts, or affirmations, that may help you to free the spirit within you.
Your assignment, if you choose to do it, is as follows. Read the following affirmations and find a few that ignite you. Write each down. When you find yourself thinking you are small, and getting depressed about the problems you are facing personally and nationally, STOP YOUR MIND. Relinquish your old beliefs and build new ones by forming new mental habits. Make today a turning point in your life.
Affirmations for Empowerment
I am a visionary.
I open to seeing solutions.
I am a powerful creation, full of LIFE ENERGY.
I am stronger than I realize.
I create change through my thoughts, words and actions.
I choose to make a difference.
I choose beliefs that empower me.
I am not bound by society's dictates.
I inspire others to join me in creating the changes we want to see.
I am passionate about improving my life, my community and my nation.
Anything is possible when I open to the Spirit of Life.
Boundless creativity flows through me.
All the supplies, support and strength I need for my journey are provided.
I believe in me.
I believe in the people around me.
I believe in my country's power to change.
Food For Thought
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”
Marianne Williamson
Patricia G. Omoqui 2010, All Rights Reserved
Patricia Omoqui is an internationally recognized inspirational speaker, life coach and writer. Patricia's mission in life is to inspire people to move beyond fear so they can reach their full potential.
To share your thoughts about this article, please email Patricia at allure@patriciaomoqui.com or visit her at her website: www.patriciaomoqui.com .