Lead Self Pillar really changed my life

As a young leader, I had the opportunity to be part of the Lapid Leaders Africa program, a transformational leadership program that equips young African leaders with the skills, knowledge and networks to lead and drive change in our communities.

One of the key pillars of the Lapid Leaders Africa program is lead self, which is focused on personal growth and self-awareness. Through this pillar, I learned a lot about myself, my values, my strengths and weaknesses, and how to adopt a growth mindset.

Here are my biggest take outs from the lead self pillar of the Lapid Leaders Africa program:

Self-awareness is key to personal growth.

I learned that self-awareness is one of the most critical skills that any leader should possess. It helps you to understand your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and how they affect those around you. Self-awareness is a continuous process, and it requires ongoing reflection and feedback from others.

Embrace your uniqueness

I learned that every person is unique, with their own strengths and weaknesses. It is essential to embrace your uniqueness and use it to your advantage. Instead of trying to be like someone else, it's important to focus on developing your strengths and leveraging them to achieve your goals.

Adopt a growth mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that one's abilities and qualities can be developed through hard work, dedication, and persistence. This mindset is essential for personal growth and development. I learned that adopting a growth mindset involves embracing challenges, learning from failures, seeking feedback, and constantly seeking to improve.

Honesty and integrity are powerful leadership traits.

As a young leader, I learned that honesty and integrity are essential traits of a successful leader. Being honest with yourself and others builds trust, and this trust helps you to lead with credibility. Honoring your values and sticking to your principles even in tough situations shows your character as a leader.

Incorporating what I learned from the lead self pillar, I have started implementing these take outs in my daily leadership practices. I am keen on fostering my self-awareness, embracing my uniqueness, adopting a growth mindset, and leading with honesty and integrity. Leading myself, to lead others is a continuous path to growth and transformation, and I'm committed to it.