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 Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has charged officers to take the fight directly to criminals, stating: “It is far better to strike first and stay on the offensive than to remain only reactive.”
The IGP, who spoke on Wednesday in Kano during a strategic meeting with officers of the Kano State Command, noted that “when bandits know we fire back decisively, they will think twice. Keep pushing hard, stay sharp, and sustain this momentum”.
Represented by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the North-West region, Suleiman Abdul, the IGP announced the establishment of six core administrative pillars designed to strengthen the internal security framework.
Notable among the pillars is the operationalisation of “Handshake Patrols” between contiguous states to deny criminals jurisdictional escape routes.
IGP Disu also announced a renewed commitment to intelligence-led and technology-driven security management, adding that the police are moving away from purely conventional, reactive methods towards evidence-based law enforcement powered by data analytics, digital forensics and a centralised information framework.
The IGP further committed to restructuring elite tactical units, with operations governed by strict rules of engagement and civilian oversight.
He stressed that modern urban policing cannot be achieved through physical presence alone; it must be powered by timely, accurate and actionable information.
“Kano Command must fully leverage data analytics, digital forensics and centralised information frameworks to map out urban crime hotspots and track illicit financial flows that sustain gang activities,” he stated.
“Compliance with the Suspects’ Information Capturing Process within the Nigeria Police Force Incidents and Crime Database (NPF-ICD) must be enforced across all divisions and tactical offices without exception,” he said.
“This will enable you to build comprehensive criminal histories, trace syndicates and systematically isolate repeat offenders,” he added.
“The administration demands absolute professional discipline and has zero tolerance for personnel high-handedness, corruption or extortion, which alienates the public,” he said.
By Ayo Oyoze Baje
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do” – Pelé
I love the football game, with an abiding passion, and it has been so since my primary school days back in the early ’60s.It teaches us so much about life and how to become a success in whatever we do while here on Planet Earth. Now that the 2026 World Cup is on, one cannot but reflect on the striking similarities between the two. Even though Nigeria’a Super Eagles did not qualify for this year’s edition the nation was well represented by superstar artistes such as Burna Boy, Davido and Rema whose hit songs and dance displays marked them out as our worthy ambassadors on the global stage. That is the attraction of the football game beyond all the blitz and the bravado, the thrills and frills, the losses and the victories.
To begin with, to succeed in life it is a team game. You cannot do it all alone, neither is it a two- man battle such as a boxing or wrestling match. No! There are teachers to learn from, similar to the parents, older siblings, elders in the community and of course, the school teachers to glean from.
In fact, to maximally benefit from each and everyone of them it takes humility, hardwork, honesty of purpose, with passion. It also encapsulates character, courage, and commitment to the rules and regulations just as the footballers listen to and practice from the hands of their coaches as well as their assistants.
It is through such regular trainings and obedience to the tactics adopted and corrected mistakes that you get to identify and hone your talents; to bring out the best that is deposited deep within you. These are more like the precious gold, the pearls and the diamonds in the earth. Eventually, you get to know who you really are; as an engineer, medical doctor, architect, journalist, economist, entertainer or a teacher.
That is again similar to the footballers on the pitch ,who through their astute coaches become solid rock defenders like Gabriel Magalhaes or Harry Maguire, pace-setting
midfielders such as Declan Rice or iconic Rodri, master dribblers such as Jay Jay Okocha or Lionel Messi, wave -making wingers such as Bukayo Saka, Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Junior, top goal scorers such as Christine Sinclair, Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haland, or shot – stoppers such as David Raya or Thibaut Courtois
As it is with life, so it plays out in the field of football; practicing and preparing for it with one game at a time. It is not a 100- metre dash but a 90-minute or more display of what you have learnt. They are usually exhibited as your skills with the team ambition of scoring the vital, game -changing goals. But there are challenges to expect and be prepared to overcome.
For instance, who are the players that others from the opposing team attack? They are those with the ball. That is exactly how life evolves for you. And who are those who get booked with the yellow or red card? Those who, like criminals attack others with premeditated brutal and brazen boots instead of going for the ball The referees, like the law enforcement agents are there to penalize the offenders, including those who cross the lines or cruelly close in on others within the 18- yard box to give the other side a penalty kick. So, as you sweat it out in life m,learn to obey the rules and regulations.
Definitely, out there at the stadium there are the spectators to support their favorite teams. From them come the cheers and the jeers but any player who gets distracted by them misses the essence of the game at hand and eventually the vital goals.
And when it comes to the unfailing factor of focus one outstanding player that exemplifies that is Cristiano Ronaldo. So committed he is to football that he arrives the training ground long before other team mates as well as always being the last to leave. Little wonder that at the age of 41 years he is not only regarded as the highest goal scorer in the history of the football game, but for the teams he has played for , his country,Portugal and is also reckoned with as an all-round soccer superstar scoring with the head, and both legs.
His passion for football is so profound that his connection to the game goes far beyond physical play. In fact, he views it as a true form of self-expression and his relentless ambition is exhibited everywhere he plays.
Describing football as an art he stated that: “I see football as an art and all players are artists. If you are a top artist, the last thing you would do is paint a picture somebody else has already painted.
He says that: “Without football, my life is worth nothing”. “It gives me the happiest feeling in the world. I just love scoring… It’s bad to have addictions. But it’s good to get addicted to progress.” But can we as individuals say that about our professions? Do we enjoy what we do virtually on daily basis? The answer is ours to give.
One other aspect that connects football and life is betting. Hours before the players sweat it out there in the field of play hundreds of thousands of fans across the world go out to bet, guessing the potential winners and losers. But yours truly stays out of football betting even if it rakes in millions of naira for the those who guessed right.But why, you may ask? It is all because as it is with life, so it is with football, there is always the Unknown Factor-X. Only God knows the end from the beginning.
My love for football is also anchored on the factors and features of fusion it brings to the fore. While the game is on the avid spectators are bound by the spirit of togetherness, hardly influenced by their differences in ethnicity, religion or politics. So it should be amongst us, because whether we like it not, we should focus more on what binds us together instead of widening the cracks of sentiments that separate us.
For us to be celebrated like the World Cup winning goal, we must identify our God-given talents , listen to our life-coaches to hone them and be good team player. We should expect and be prepared for challenges, obey me rules, make sacrifices as Pele highlighted and keep being consistent. All because, as it with football and life, to succeed there has to be constancy of purpose.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered a stay of execution of the judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four other political parties.
In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Justice A. B. Mohammed condemned Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja for flouting a May 22 order that directed him to suspend proceedings before him, describing his conduct as the gravest form of judicial misconduct.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution,” the panel held.
The appellate court went further, invoking a Supreme Court precedent to characterise Justice Lifu’s conduct in the harshest terms available to it.
The court said it had a duty to assert its supervisory authority over lower courts and protect the integrity of the judicial hierarchy.
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This court has supervisory authority over the trial court. This court has the duty to invoke its powers in ensuring that its orders are obeyed. The application for stay of execution is hereby granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the panel ruled.
