Metro
Zero to Impact: The Leadership Mindset That Transforms Executive Management (Pt. 2)
By Tolulope A. Adegoke PhD
“Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles, and less than perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident, and more and more successful” – Mark Victor Hansen
Have you ever felt like you’re starting from nothing? That you’ve got dreams but no resources, skills but no platform, ideas but no audience? You’re not alone. And here’s the good news: zero is not the end—it’s the beginning. In fact, some of the world’s most transformative leaders began at what seemed like zero. This second series explores how understanding and harnessing the power of “zero” can unlock your true leadership potential either for individual, corporates, nation-building or for generational impact.
Zero as Untapped Potential
Potential is not what you’re doing; it’s what you’re capable of doing. It’s the energy lying dormant within, waiting to be activated. Like a lion raised among sheep in Dr. Myles Munroe’s famous story, many of us have greatness within—we just need the right perspective to awaken it.
Leadership begins with self-awareness. Before leading others, you must first lead yourself. This starts by reflecting deeply: What drives you? What do you value? What legacy do you wish to leave? Look in the mirror of purpose and see who you really are. You are not an accident; you are potential in motion, crafted for impact.
Zero as a Seed of Greatness
Seeds look insignificant, but they contain forests. Every idea, talent, or dream you carry is a seed. Jesus used the mustard seed as a metaphor for powerful growth—tiny in form, yet enormous in potential.
The early stages of your journey may seem unimpressive to others—or even to yourself. But remember, the value of a seed is not in its size, but in what it is destined to become. Plant your vision, nurture it with discipline, water it with commitment, and protect it from doubt. The fruits may not appear overnight, but in due season, they will manifest in abundance.
Leadership is about believing in your unseen future and taking intentional steps toward it, no matter how small.
Zero as Latent Talent
Talent is divine equipment for earthly impact. But unused talent is like a buried treasure—valuable, yet invisible. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) teaches us to multiply what we’ve been given—not hide it out of fear.
Your leadership impact grows when you:
- Discover your unique gifts, no matter how subtle they seem.
- Understand their intended purpose and potential.
- Develop them through practice, feedback, and learning.
- Deploy them through service to a cause bigger than yourself.
- Dedicate them to divine purpose—acknowledging God as the Giver.
The world doesn’t just need more talent; it needs more developed, directed, and dedicated talent. That’s how legacies are forged.
Zero as a Hidden Game-Changer
Sometimes, the overlooked become the overachievers. Eder, Portugal’s unlikely substitute striker in the Euro 2016 final, wasn’t expected to score—yet he became the unexpected hero. Likewise, David, the youngest son and a mere shepherd, toppled the mighty Goliath when trained soldiers stood back.
Leadership is not always about who is most visible—it’s about who’s most prepared. In the shadows, develop yourself. In quiet seasons, strengthen your skills. So when your opportunity comes, you’ll not only show up—you’ll stand out.
Do not discount yourself based on what others see. What matters is what God and you know is within.
Zero as a Weakness to Be Managed
Not all zeroes are positive. Sometimes, zero represents a weakness, flaw, or character issue that must be addressed. Many great leaders fell not because of external battles, but due to un-mastered internal struggles.
Moses’ unrestrained anger cost him entry into the Promised Land. Samson’s lust blinded him—literally and spiritually. Judas’ greed led to betrayal. These cautionary tales remind us: what we fail to manage in private can sabotage us in public.
Your leadership must be built on integrity and self-awareness. Weakness doesn’t disqualify you—but ignoring it might. Seek accountability, practice humility, and grow in character. True strength comes not from perfection, but from progress.
Zero as a Nation Reborn
Nations, like individuals, can rise from zero. After World War II, Japan lay in ruins—its economy shattered, cities flattened. But through visionary leadership, national discipline, and a collective will to rebuild, Japan transformed into one of the world’s leading economies within decades.
The turning point? Investment in human capital—education, innovation, and values-driven governance.
Nations like Nigeria, endowed with abundant resources, must learn that people—not oil—are the real assets. When a government empowers its citizens, fosters innovation, and rewards excellence, transformation becomes inevitable. We don’t just need structural reform—we need a shift in mindset.
Reassurance: Your Turnaround Is Possible
Change is not a fantasy—it’s a process. D.W. Ghent, once terrified of public speaking, became an exceptional orator through courage and training. David, dismissed by his family, rose to become a king. Your current limitations are not permanent.
You can rise. You will rise. But it starts with belief. You are not too late, too flawed, too small, or too far behind. You are filled with potential, purpose, and possibility.
Let today be your turning point. Begin where you are, with what you have. Step forward with boldness and faith. The journey from zero to impact begins with a single decision: to try.
So what’s next? Stay with us as we continue unpacking practical strategies and mindsets to help you lead with transformational influence.
Let’s go from zero to impact—together.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a Recipient of the Nigerian Role Models Award (2024), and a Distinguished Ambassador For World Peace (AMBP-UN).
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, has recovered stolen goods and electronics valued at over N300 million and arrested seven suspects in connection with various crimes in the state, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
The suspects were paraded on Thursday at the corps’ headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure.
Commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the arrests and recoveries were part of ongoing efforts to reduce crime in the state.
“More than celebrating the arrest of criminals, we are celebrating the recovery of life and property,” he said. “Our operations in the past week have led to a reduction in cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary, and cult-related activities.”
Among those arrested were suspects linked to a theft syndicate involving electronics. Adeleye said the items, mainly phones and gadgets, were stolen in Lagos and transported to Ondo State through the Ojota Motor Park.
According to him, one of the suspects boarded the same bus conveying the goods and repackaged the items into an empty carton during the journey. The act was discovered during a stop for fuel, prompting further investigation and the eventual recovery of the stolen goods.
Adeleye added that the goods belonged to a licensed electronics dealer in Ondo State and would be returned to the owner after the court processes the necessary documents.
Also paraded were suspects involved in a recent kidnap case. Two victims abducted along Itagbolu Road six days ago were rescued by Amotekun operatives after 96 hours of search in the forest. The kidnappers had demanded a N50 million ransom, but the victims’ families did not pay.
“We advise residents not to pay ransom, and we are glad that most kidnap cases in the last two months have been resolved without payment,” he said.
Others paraded included a local gang leader arrested after evading arrest for six months, a repeat offender who jumped bail and fled to Kano but was rearrested and brought back, and a suspect involved in violent clashes with herders.
Nigeria’s technology and digital solutions services provider, Globacom, has become the first in the Nigerian telecommunications industry to offer its customers Device Protection cover. This novel project was unveiled in collaboration with Cubecover, a top enabler of technology solutions in Nigeria.
For a nominal fee, both new and existing Glo subscribers can use the cutting-edge service to shield their mobile devices against water and screen damage. They can get up to N50,000 in screen replacements or repairs when damage happens.
Globacom’s Head of Value Added Service (VAS), Mojeed Aluko, disclosed that users may guarantee their smartphone is protected against screen or water damage at any moment for as little as N50 per day. For those who would want to pay the premium on a weekly basis, there is a N300 subscription. However, those who would rather pay the premium on a monthly basis simply need to pay N600 each month.
According to Aluko, users of this reasonably priced micro-protection will be eligible for free screen repairs up to N50,000 in the event of damage. But the gadget protection only kicks in when the customer has subscribed for at least a month.
“As a responsive and innovative network, we are leveraging this opportunity to provide meaningful protection to our customers, helping them stay connected even in the event of accidental damage,” Aluko added.
The customer must select a daily, weekly, or monthly subscription by dialing *7013*1# to enroll via USSD in order to subscribe for this device protection service. New customers without Glo SIMs can walk into any Gloworld shop across the country, purchase a SIM and any phone device of their choice and subscribe to the device protection instantly.
Customers have the option of a one-time subscription or auto-renewal, and they pay for the device protection subscription by deducting it from their Glo airtime. A URL to check the device screen’s integrity is sent to the subscriber upon successful payment. Once the screen passes the diagnostic scan, the device’s IMEI is registered with Cubecover, Aluko explained.
Mr. Deji Macaulay, Managing Director of Cubecover, noted that the strategic partnership with Globacom will give users one less thing to worry about by eliminating the common anxieties associated with phone usage, accidental damage and repairs.
“The device protection service is unique because of its simple enrolment process via mobile phones and its affordable micro-premiums. It is also fast as its tech-driven verification process eliminates delays and paper works. It also provides peace of mind for millions of Nigerians using smartphones daily,” Globacom added.
As the World celebrates World Chess Day 2025, the Nigeria Online Media Alliance (NOMA) has commended EcoBank Nigeria for its outstanding contribution to education and youth development through its sustained investment in chess as a cognitive empowerment tool.
NOMA’s recognition comes in the wake of the highly successful EcoBank National School Team Chess Championship, which paraded over 2,000 students from more than 500 schools across Nigeria.
In her commendation, Chairperson of NOMA, Theresa Moses, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Association, Mr. Oluwamuyiwa Oyedele said, “EcoBank is setting a powerful example of how the private sector can transform education and empower our youth through smart, skill-based initiatives like chess.
“We urge other stakeholders to recognize the potential of such platforms in building a stronger, smarter generation.”
The championship, held from June 26 to 28, 2025, at the EcoBank Pan African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, featured teams from primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, making it one of the most inclusive and impactful educational competitions of the year.
“As a truly pan-African bank, we are proud to again partner with the Chess Federation for this important championship,” said Adebukola Ademuyi, Head of Education Field and Social Services at EcoBank stated. This partnership supports our broader human capital development goals and aligns with our CSR strategy to empower young Nigerians intellectually and economically.”
Mr. Austin Osokpor, Head of Corporate Communications at EcoBank Nigeria, also emphasized the long-term impact of the initiative:
“We are proud to support this event, which plays a vital role in developing young talent in Nigeria. Chess is a silent teacher of strategy, patience, and resilience—all qualities we want to see in the future of this country. This tournament is a legacy project that will leave a lasting impact on education.”
The Nigeria Chess Federation, in collaboration with EcoBank and other stakeholders, created a platform for young players to showcase their talents, build strategic thinking skills, and foster unity across schools nationwide. The tournament also promotes social inclusion and indirectly creates jobs by encouraging the training and employment of chess instructors in schools.
As part of its commitment to education-focused advocacy, NOMA used the occasion of World Chess Day—celebrated every July 20th globally—to call on other corporate organizations to emulate EcoBank’s model of sustainable and purposeful investment in education.
However, NOMA reaffirms its commitment to promoting youth-centered development and celebrating partnerships that drive positive change.
World Chess Day, designated by the United Nations in 2019, marks the founding of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) in 1924 and celebrates chess as a universal language that promotes peace, education, and global unity.
