When I Knew I was Born a Leader

The moment I realized I was going to be a leader, the weight of it really hit me. I knew I couldn’t just rely on my natural instincts anymore. I had to take a hard look in the mirror and polish three specific qualities immediately.

It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but looking back, these three changes defined who I am today.

Communication

My first challenge I had to work on, intentionally was communication. For a long time in my career and daily life, I assumed people should simply understand my intentions without hearing them from me. I expected anyone who worked or walked with me to read my mind. When I was given a task, I would quietly work on it and hope the final result would prove that I was on track. I barely gave updates, and that was a mistake.

Leadership taught me that communication is not limited to public speaking. It is the ongoing act of keeping people informed. It is showing your team what you are thinking, what your plans are, and how far you have progressed. If people are going to believe in your leadership, they should not have to guess where you stand. Clear updates build confidence and create unity. I had to learn that honesty through communication is the foundation of leading others well.

Delegation

The second quality I needed to develop was delegation. I have always been the kind of person who prefers doing everything myself. Years ago, even my mentees and subordinates could barely get tasks from me because I convinced myself that handling them alone was easier and faster.

With time, I learned that a leader is not supposed to carry every weight. Delegation protects your mind and your health because it reduces unnecessary overload. It allows you to see the strengths within your team and put people in positions where they can shine. It also prepares others for greater responsibility. When you delegate, the person receiving the task gains valuable experience and insight.

I also learned not to depend on only one person. Try different people. Observe how they work. Let them grow through the process. When someone is unavailable, another person should be able to step in so the work continues smoothly. Delegation is not just a strategy, it is a mindset that frees you and empowers others at the same time.

Mentorship

The third quality that shaped my journey was mentoring. Before you guide others, you must first be guided and that truth changed me. When I made the decision to become a leader, I intentionally looked for mentors who could stretch my thinking. I ended up with three. One was a professor. The other two were CEOs in the oil and gas sector, one based in Brazil and the other in Ghana.

Each of them gave me a different kind of wisdom. I came to understand that you do not need to love everything about a mentor or adopt every single habit. What matters is identifying the qualities that inspire you and learning those deeply. That is how you build your own identity as a leader.

Finally, I still consider myself a student. I am constantly learning the skills needed to grow. Leadership is not a one-time achievement. It is a steady commitment to becoming better every single day. I still wake up knowing there is more to understand and more to give, and that hunger to improve is what keeps me moving.

If you stay open to learning, communicate with clarity, trust others with real responsibility, and seek mentors who bring out your best, you will not only lead, but thrive in the role with integrity and confidence.