By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
Renaissance Consulting and Development Institute – ReCDI on Thursday, February 27, 2024, ignited its 2025 leadership and empowerment conference geared towards enhancing the leadership ability of young people.
The conference was held under the theme “Reimagining Our Pathways for Sustained Growth and Development”
objectives are to equip participants with advanced leadership and entrepreneurial skills, essential concepts for fostering sustainable community development and personal growth through empowerment, and create a platform for diverse stakeholders to share insights and best practices across multiple domains.
Providing an overview, Amb. John M. Gray, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ReCDI, provided that the Conference intends to actively shape the concept and reinvigorate mindset and ideas to the different tips by reimagining the pathways for sustained growth and development.
Gray further stated that the Renaissance Leadership and Empowerment Conference promises to leave a lasting impact on participants based on their desire and passion to acquire skills and learn different components of each segment of the conference for personal and institutional growth to contribute to national growth through human capital development.
At the same time, the Co-chair of – the Board of Advisors – ReCDI, Laila M. Kpukuyou in her keynote address to the conference, averted that leadership is no rocket science, but innovation that brings forth development and transformation. “Leadership is no rocket science, but innovation that brings forth development and transformation.
Leadership is not what you have but what you do with what you have.”
Laila M. Kpukuyou continued by adding that leadership is about more than just holding a title or position of power; itโs about inspiring others and making a positive impact.
She asserted that for young people looking to improve their leadership abilities, “It is important to focus on developing key qualities such as empathy, communication, and responsibility. Start by being a good listener and understanding the perspectives of those around you.”
Kpukuyou admonished the young leaders to be approachable and able to build trust by genuinely caring about the people they lead by working on communication skills, both in speaking and listening, as this helps to foster understanding and unity within a team.
“A leader should always lead by example, showing others the behaviors they expect to see. This means being accountable for your actions, setting high standards for yourself, and demonstrating a strong work ethic. Leaders should also be adaptable and open to change, as they often need to navigate new challenges or unexpected situations. They should encourage growth, both in themselves and in others, by providing opportunities for learning, offering constructive feedback, and empowering others to take on responsibilities.”
Finally, Laila M. Kpukuyou called on the Government and young emerging leaders to render service, not control. Asserts that a leaderโs role is to support and uplift others, guiding them toward a shared vision.
A role she stated that requires humility, patience, and a focus on collaboration.
