Leaders who wish to become better must never stop learning. This was an opinion shared by leadership trainers, Yinka Ogunde and Bisi Soji-Oyawoye at the Inspired to Lead seminar held at the Sheraton Lagos hotel yesterday.
During their individual sessions, the seasoned John Maxwell certified trainers hammered on the need for leaders to never stop learning, stating that leadership required an intentional and continuous learning process.
Some of the strategies shared for leaders to thrive in their environment included understanding their environment and being aware of the happenings in it. Taking action was also another quality stated that Leaders must possess.
Some of the discussions also centered on the rise of articificial intelligence, notably ChatGPT, how to handle generational diversity in organizations, handling LGBT issues amongst others.
Coach Yinka Ogunde stated how leaders must intentionally build bridges to connect. She highlighted major qualities of great leaders including the ability to motivate, inspire and encourage, readiness to adapt to change and be able to make informed decisions, recognizing when to lead which is as important as what to do and where to go (The law of timing), being grounded in technology to not be left behind, and to be the change you want to see. She essentially said that leaders do not just live, but rather lead their lives.
Coach Bisi Soji-Oyawoye focused on the mental aspects of leadership. She talked about the power of the mind as it affects leadership, as only an emotionally stable mind can add value to someone else. She also stressed how negative emotions can be deadly to body systems, and how a lack of emotional intelligence can bring one down in split seconds.
She urged organizations and schools to invest in emotional intelligence, a view which was also shared by Coach Yinka Ogunde at the seminar.
Photos from the seminars
