“He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart ; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.” (Psalms 78:70-72)
Few months back, I was meditatively thinking about the continued dominance of the oligarchy of gerontocrats in almost all sectors of our national life vis-à-vis the desire of my generation and those after us to take over. In the course of my deep thinking the Holy Spirit asked me a very pertinent question, “How prepared is the successor?” The truth remains that many people today want the position without the process. The blessing you do not process you cannot handle. Leadership is a skill that must be acquired and according to the Preacher, skill will always bring success. (Eccl.10:10 NIV)
David was anointed King but he went through a process to assume leadership. No wonder his leadership remains legendary and exemplary. It shows that wisdom is a sine qua non in the preparation and performance of a leader. Suffice it to say that an anointed leader is bound to fail without wisdom but a wise leader may succeed without the anointing. Samson and Joseph are good biblical examples. Howbeit, we need both the anointing and wisdom for maximum impact.
Therefore, I have identified from Scriptures what I describe as the ‘S’ factors of successful succession to help prepare every aspiring successor and ultimately enhance their successful performance in office. They are as follows, though not exhaustive:
1. Seek for mentoring. (Luke 2:46,47; Jer. 6:16)
Per my leadership mentor, John Maxwell, a mentor is someone who teaches, guides, and lifts you up by virtue of his or her experience and insight. A mentor is someone a little farther ahead of you on the path-though that doesn’t mean mentors are always older. A mentor is someone with a head full of experience and a heart full of generosity. They’re people who can help you bind together those two things in your life and cause a massive difference.
2. Search and probe for more knowledge. (Luke 2:46; John 5:39)
It takes searches and researches which invariably involve asking vital questions, to discover new things. Jesus came as God Man but he was seen in the midst of learned men asking and answering questions.
3. Study to answer. (Prov. 15:28; Luke 2:47; 2 Tim. 2:15)
Only rigorous studies can give you answers and solutions to the begging questions of leadership and life. Until you embrace the demands of study you never develop a sturdy destiny.
4. Stretch your mind. (Isaiah 54:2; Eph. 3:20; 4:23)
You cannot perform beyond your utilization capacity. Hence, the need to keep enlarging and building mental capacity to accommodate growth and development. A mind that is not stretched may become wretched by effusion of time.
5. Stir the gift. (2 Tim.1:6,7; 1 Tim 4:14,15)
God has deposited some gifts inside everyone. Discover it! Also, we can learn some skills. We become better in our own area of giftings or skill by practical use (Heb.5:13,14). Muscles not in use will result to disuse atrophy. Until you stir the gift you don’t emerge a star.
6. Seize your individuality. (Luke 2:42-52; Isaiah 51:2)
You are most unique! There is nobody like you. Seize your individuality and refuse to be divided by your environment and those around you. Discover self and run to please your Maker. Jesus refused to be put in a mould. Please note, your individuality may hide you but sooner than later your day of showing will come. Please, by all means, there are only four personalities I will advise you to mind, to help you seize your individuality, to wit: i) Mind yourself, ii) Mind your business, iii) Mind your God, and iv) Mind the Word of God. (1 Thess.4:11; 1 Cor.9: 24-27)
7. Sieve your relationships. (Prov. 13:20; Psalm 1: 1-3)
Pastor David Oyedepo (Jnr.) said, “Who you follow determines what accompanies you.” It becomes imperative that you select who you relate closely with. Identify people with same values and vision and associate with them. Who you follow determines what follows you. ( Ps.23:1,6; Mark 1:17)
8. Serve your generation. (Matt.23:11; 20:26,27; Acts 13:36)
Service remains the hallmark of greatness. A life without service severs great destiny. It is either you are serving your generation or you’re sapping it. Please be a servant to make a mark kon the earth.
9. Sell yourself. (Luke 4:16-21; John 6:48)
What you don’t tell you don’t sell. Nobody can market your potentials better than you will do. Jesus sold Himself and that’s why today He has many sons and daughters. Lack of information about you may lead to uncertainty and non-recognition of talent. The trumpet must give a certain sound. (1 Cor.14:8)
10. Self-efficacy. (1 Cor. 15:10; Phil.4:13)
Albert Bandura, a psychologist defined self-efficacy as one’s belief in one’s ability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. The believer in Christ has been empowered to do all things. Believe in yourself as a child of God. It is only those that believe in themselves that ever prove themselves.
11. Separate to intermeddle with wisdom. (Prov. 18:1; Gal. 1:15-18)
It takes separation to incubate wisdom. Wisdom is not common and not found with men. Neither is it open to the eyes. Job said that it is only God that understands the way of wisdom and knows its place. Therefore, you must separate always from your environment to God for impartation of wisdom. (Job 28: 7-23)
12. Speak with authority. (John 3:34; John 7:46; Matt. 7:28,29)
Your words must be full of power and authority. Nothing gives you more authority than the word of God. You must speak with authority if you must attain or retain the peak.
13. Self-awareness. (2Cor.12:6-10; Roms. 7:14-24)
Pythagoras said, “Man Know Thyself;” Until you are self-aware, you may not appreciate your strengths and weaknesses. One of the major attributes of mentally strong and successful people is self-awareness. Saint Paul was a super successful apostle that was self-aware.
14. Superintend your time. (Eccl.3:1; Eph.5:15,16)
Time is the currency of life. To waste it is foolishness but to effectively manage and use it is wisdom. Every successful person values time. You can rescue your losses today by the effective use of your time. Bishop David Abioye said, “All you have is time and all you need is time.” It’s over to you!
15. Self-Control. (1 Cor.9:25; 2 Tim.2: 3-5)
Discipline is the badge of disciples. You don’t become a master without self-control. Joseph was self-controlled despite several attacks and divers temptations that he faced and that took him to the throne. Contrariwise, Samson was heavily anointed but lacked self-control and the judge became the accused.
16. Spirit governance. (Roms. 8:5,6,14; 1 Cor.2:14,15)
You cannot be governed by the Spirit of God and be misguided. Zechariah prophesied that He will guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:79b) The only way to be a super successful governor in your own right is to be Spirit governed.
17. Simplify humility. (Matt.5:5; James 4:6)
Simplify humility without being a simpleton. If you must partake of your inheritance on the earth, then you must stay humble. In success, acknowledge God and recognize every help. In failure, accept responsibility. The road to success and wisdom is only accessible to the humble. (Psalm 25:9)
18. Schedule exercises and sleep. (1 Tim.4:8; Psalm 127:2)
Whilst it is absolutely important to work hard, it is advisable to schedule as part of your routine, exercises. Also, ensuring you catch reasonable hours of sleep is important to your health. Brains sweep themselves clean of harmful toxins during sleep according to researchers. Exercises also make you mentally alert and bodily fit for your daily assignments.
19. Set self-leading standards. (Job 31:1; Prov. 11:3)
No one leads others successfully without first leading himself. It becomes imperative therefore, that you set some standards for yourself to help you lead yourself. I heard one man of God I greatly esteem say that he has set some yardsticks to help him stay humble. Job was under an oath with his own eyes.
20. Silence opposition and naysayers. (1 Tim.4:12; Titus 1:10,11)
The best way to silence opposition is by staying focused on your vision and getting results. Results will always silence naysayers. Therefore, you must be an example of what you believe despite those despising you. Remember, those that ridiculed and opposed Noah regretted it when the result of his handiwork was the only saviour of mankind. Ditto for Nehemiah. Stay focused and get results!
21. Sensitivity to times and seasons. ( 1 Chron. 12:32; John 2:4; Eccl.3:1)
Many have missed it either because they ran ahead of their time or ran behind their time. Sensitivity to timing and seasons in life is very vital. It calls for spiritual alertness and careful observations of signs as it pertains to your own area of calling or assignment. (Jer. 23:21)
22. Share your vision. (Philemon 1:6; Hab.2:2)
The vision you don’t share stands the risk of perishing. It shares the same fate that a non-vision has. (Prov.29:18) A shared vision will always attract runners. What is not shared effectively also stands the risk of being shredded. Be effective in your communications.
23. Stay connected. (John 15:1-5; Hosea 14:8)
Until you stay connected to your source, the resources will stop flowing. Hosea, by prophecy said, in God is our fruit found and Jesus affirmed it that we can only remain ever fruitful in Him. No matter what you think you have achieved, stay connected for unabated flow of His blessings.
Friend, I believe that if you will diligently apply these scriptural principles in your life, your succession to your God designated throne will be most significant. A new day is here!
Reman ever beautified,
✝️Tochukwu Kemakolam
Prime Minister