The most influential leaders in my life and what I learned from them ( values, ethics etc) - Day 3.0

Day 3 of our leadership journey. Welcome!

So, who is/are the most influential leaders in my life and why? I believe this is a question each person (and not just leaders) should ask themselves. Whom do you allow/grant that secret ability to influence your life? 

Today, I will only list names and delve into the second part describing why and what I learned from them in my next post. As ever Jesus tops my list.

1. Jesus Christ (of Nazareth)

2. Linda Forteh (Wife)

3. Don Moen ( Musician)

4. Margaret Ngochi (Mother)

5. Neil Sarker

6. Kevan Higgins

7. Mbiwan Daniel

Influence is a big thing. We need to determine who has access to and can influence us.

Some of the leaders that I admire and why. - - Day 2.0

Building up from my humble definition of leadership, I'd want to talk about 15 leaders ( I chose that number randomly) that I admire and why I do. This list does not represent the totality of all the men, children and women that have impacted my life and I may not agree with everything that some who made my list say or believ in. In fact I only believe in Jesus 100%. Welcome to Day 2 of this leadership experience.

Here comes my list...

1. Jesus Christ

Profile: Savior, Friend, Son of God.

Impact: Saved me, protects, directs and helps me understand the future. Trully loves my family. Just read the bible and walk with Him. Does this, all in a bid to take me to a better (the best) place.

2. My Mother

Profile: Mother

Impact: Sacrificial love, made me like books and reading early in life, took time to teach me (sometimes with the whip not very far away), ensured I had a good education ( I had to re-take a level, not because I failed, but because she judged I wasn't ready for the next!). This and more she did for me. That is leadership.

3. Neil Sarker 

Profile- Former boss

Impact- Neil taught me to be positive. My reasoning was mostly negative. Neil somehow discovered this and helped show me how I could put things in a more postitive light and suggest solutions rather than show problems only.

5. Kevan Higgins

Profile - Former Boss

Impact - Service- Kevan will roll up his sleeves and get dirty when there was a job to be done. He got in with all his energy and led from infront. Authentic concern for staff- He cared enough to come play and chat with my son who was hospitalized instead of just staying with his family.

6. J. Lee Grady

Profile - Evangelist

Impact- Impacted my writing in ways he doesn't know.

7. Daniel Mbiwan

Profile - Pastor

Impact - Humility. His leadership by humility is a powerful reminder of where I should be at all times.

8. Daniel Shu  & Ernest Ehabe

Profile - Pastor

Impact - Create opportunity for others. They helped me expand my scope and challenged me to take greater challenges.

9. Isaac Bamikole

Profile - Pastor

Impact- Gave me real opportunities that pushed me into leadership. He didn't care for my youth. His trust in my leadership at that young age, made me see no limits.

10. F Akinyemi

Profile - 2013 Boss

Impact- Into developing others. Not only speaks he acts and his simplicty is awesome.

11. P Connally

Profile -2013 Boss

Impact - Into developing others. Innovative and a true visionary. If you get to read this Patrick, "thanks for the books".

12. Keith Green

Profile- Late musician

Impact - Passion. His passion for God will make you ...passionate! Read/Watch His bio.( No compromise).

13. Rudi Lack

Profile - Late Evangelist /Author

Impact- Simplicity, authenticity and dedication. 

14. Wholesome Books

Profile -The Bible and Lots of books (esp Biographies and history),  D. Bonhoefer, Rudi Lack, Bill Bright, Loren Cunningham, Dale Carnegie, John C Maxwell, and lots more. I will blog separately on the list of books that changed my life.

Impact: Motivation, transformation, faith, strength, hope, direction etc.

15. Wholesome Movies, Documentaries & Music

Profile -Suing the devil, FireProof, Courageous, Flywheel...ect (again, I'll blog separately on movies and documentaries that changed my life).

Impact:  Motivation, transformation, faith, strength, hope, direction etc.

Yes I hear you. This is supposed to be a list of leaders, so why the last 2 options? Mainly because we're all a sum total of whom we follow. Whom we follow implies, whom we admire, what we read, what we listen to or watch etc. all of that works towards defining who you are.

King David put it this way:

Psalm 1

King James Version (KJV)

1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [ Comment - What do you watch? Whom do you listen to? Who do you allow to determine how you see things?]

² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

⁴ The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Leadership- What is it? Day 1.0

As promised, I'll be doing a write-up on leadership this week as announced yesterday. We start with my definition of leadership ok ok I know. Yes the world abounds in definitions of leadership. I will not try to copy or replicate but share from my heart what I believe is leadership based on my experience, contacts and studies on the subject.

Leadership is, I believe, the ability to feel or discern the real needs of a group, people, organization or nation and strategize or make plans to get them to that better place in a way that is morale and will leave them feeling "we did it"!

I choose not to separate between good and bad leadership and rather use the presence of  leadership or no leadership. My definition supposes that true leadership is good in nature because;

1. The leaders is able to discern the real needs of his group.Why would I want to be led by someone who didn't care about my personal needs? In his book, "how to win friends and influence people", Dale Carnegie, highlights knowing peoples name as a winner move! A person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language. The ability to discern will come from a knowledge of the peole you are leading. What better source than, the Maker. We see in the bible how King Solomon, requested for God to grant him wisdom, so that he may lead God's people wisely. The implication here is that a true leader, should have a relationship with God, that will help him/her, discern the real needs of his/her people. Many have occupied leadership positions (they had no business occupying), leading to the destruction of human lives, property and even nations.
2. The leader understands that the general good is more/more important than his personal need. He will not put his agenda above that of his people. When a leader is able to discern and communicate the  real needs of his group, the people will naturally follow. A leader without character won't achieve this as there will be lack of trust from his followers.
3. The leader is disciplined and has a clear plan for reaching his objective.

This definition does not capture all the characteristics of a good leader but is meant to help you evaluate your leadership and start you up on the track of true leadership. Situational leadership is good, Good leadership is even better. For good leadership originates from God. 

God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, so that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.

The Leader, God has a vision of a better place for you and I. 

Our real need = Salvation from our sins so we may spend eternity with Him.

His Plan = Send His son as the perfect sacrifice to redeem (buy-back), His people back to Him.

Our role = Believe in His leadership, accept His plan, receive His son and follow Him.

No greater love.

Blessings - Inno

Leadership week

I'll be posting on leadership topics throughout this week. Topics I plan addressing include:


1. My defination of leadership.

2. Some of the leaders that I admire and why.

3. The most influential leaders in my life and what I learned from them ( values, ethics etc).

4. Some defining leadership moments of my  life.

5. What I am truly passionate about.

6. Why should anyone be led by me.

7. Some of the key leadership lessons I'd want to pass along to others.

8. The people in my life who make me a better person – and a better leader.

9. What I am currently reading.

10. Am I a good follower?

11. Do I practice and benefit from Discipline?

I hope my readers benefit from reading my thoughs this week.

Blessings - Inno