Since learning is a lifelong process, I usually enjoy it (especially if it has to do with practicals, and not being under the pressure of writing exams with a difficult marking scheme (rolls eyes in IYKYK)).

I always like the exchange of knowledge, and today I got a lot of it! I learned new things, unlearned some things, and got some of my knowledge reiterated. I guess it is safe to say that the organizers achieved the aim of the seminar, even though it might be quite early to tell in terms of utilisation.

So what happened?

I attended a LEADERSHIP SEMINAR organized by the Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) of the Ibadan Archdiocese and believe me, it was a good one for me!

Image Copyright: IBCYON

Image is mine

It was held at the Schoenstatt Father’s Community, Ijokodo, Ibadan City, Oyo State, Nigeria. This was the gathering of youths especially leaders in the Catholic Archdiocese of Ibadan where we were taught to be effective leaders in our various parishes and spaces anchoring it on Hope and Love.

The great values shared resonated well with me, not only for utilisation in the church but also for workspace and other personal ambitions and levels.

The Leadership Seminar was majorly divided into two. The Talks and the Group activities of the youths present. There were two talks from youths coming from different works of life, who have succeeded in overcoming some of our present-day challenges. They gave us many real-time and personal experiences of success as effective leaders.

Image Copyright: IBCYON

I would be outlining the things I learned from them in no particular order, just catch and move with the one you can and should. Let’s go!😎

1. Keeping your Hope Alive coupled with optimism plays a major role in being successful at achieving your dreams.

2. Build your passion for Christ; having a passion for Christ is automatic to having a passion for Humanity as well.

3. Having a realistic Hope keeps your passion alive; never lose hope.

4. Staying Hopeful doesn’t mean you should be complacent; keep fanning your passion and doing the work needed.

5. Face your fears upfront; that way, the rate of achieving success is higher.

6. Always make room for your dreams, work on them, and again, stay optimistic while at it.

7. Leadership means solving the problem by transcending the roles and getting the job done correctly.

8. Be intentional about dispensing your duties. Have a DMS (Defined Minimum Standard) such that irrespective of any hitch or challenges, you wouldn’t be going less than effective.

9. Effective Leadership is inspiring, guiding, and influencing your team toward a common aim or goal.

10. A leader should be creative when solving problems. Employ Critical thinking too.

11. A leader should learn to balance authority with humility and to have a great communication skill.

12. Sometimes, a leader doesn’t have to be in the spotlight; build a strong foundation for success which includes combining different soft and hard skills.

13. Flock with your kind or the kind you want to become.

14. Change your approach as a leader if you aren’t getting the desired results.

15. Organize activities or programs or redirect the aim tailored around solving the problems and meeting the needs of the people you serve.

16. Be a transparent leader; have no hidden goal.

17. Identify your internal strengths and weaknesses, and your external threats and opportunities (SWOT), and work on and around them.

18. Work especially on your inner weaknesses such as self-esteem, laziness, etc., and be adequately prepared.

19. Learn to be friends with your critics; use their practical strength and skills to achieve your team’s goal. That way, the team is growing, and you will also be learning new ways of doing things.

20. And if you meet people who don’t buy into the vision of the team and aim to pull you as a leader or your team back; allow such people to be. Effective leadership is a moving train, keep moving, people going your way will join you, and others not going would simply use another train or not board at all.

21. Know when to stop, so that your dispensation won’t be overwhelming or your goals become unrealistic.

Now that we are here, let us give thanks to God for enlightenment! 💯

*Something NEW to Learn: N.O.I.S.E Analysis (Do more research;
leaders are lifelong learners��)

Go in peace becoming an Effective Leader Anywhere and Everywhere that you find yourself.

Hope and Love from Tess!😘

Also, enjoy the view of the Pictures.

All Images belong to IBCYON.