Wisdom For Emerging Leaders: Balanced Living, Managing Depression and The Art of Public Speaking

Simbarashe Nyamadzawo, 23/02/2021

Creating a Balance between Pursuing Your Dreams and Being There For Your Peers

There is a certain point in time when you are emerging as a leader and there is a lot of demand placed on your gift. Everyone in your circle will want a piece of you. People get referred to you as the go to person.

You never want to break promises but you find yourself not keeping your word. Everyone is taking and taking from you, no one is prepared to replenish you. Others request to see you in free time when you don’t even have free time.

You open your WhatsApp and you see tens and tens of messages which need to be replied.

Others see you online and assume you are ignoring them when in actual fact you are working on their requests and you can’t afford to reply the massages without having your work and thought pattern getting interrupted.

When you get emotionally depleted, you take some time off so that you can recharge , when you get back to work you are greeted with a dozen to do list which needs your attention and these are issues you can’t delegate.

I have experienced that and I have learned to be strong and remain focused and not lose my plot. If you are in such a space I pray that the LORD will increase your capacity. I pray that the LORD will give you the courage to say “NO” to some of the requests from people.

I pray that you put a monetary value on your time and those with requests of a commercial nature get to pay you. I pray that you will not lose your mind as you work out a way to meet all your demands.

I pray that the LORD will give you the wisdom to sort out your priorities. I pray that the Holy Spirit will become your mentor and teacher. I pray that the LORD will send you people to elevate you to the next season of your life.

Wisdom for Managing Depression during Trying Times

Most people are going through a lot, depression and much more. They don’t have courage to speak out.

Be kind to people and have the courtesy to check on your friends and be there for them when they need you most.

The church in Africa does not value counseling that much. Very few leaders teach on how to handle pressure, depression and other ills of the 21st century. May the LORD grant us the wisdom to deal with our dark sides. Amen

Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

Reduce your message to the level of your audience. Most speakers lose it the moment they want to sound intelligent and knowledgeable.

Let’s say you are a politician addressing a rally, don’t tell the electorate about the GDP, balance of payment and other big economics terms.

What they want is an assurance of their needs. Jobs. Health. Water. Affordable Tax.

For most types of presentations, the simpler the language the greater the impact.

One of my favorite speakers is Dr. John C. Maxwell, he is regarded as one of the foremost authorities on leadership. He has won himself a wider and captive audience because he has this knack of breaking a complex message into simple and understandable language.

Next time you are given an opportunity to speak, labor as much as you can to make your message simple.