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By Iyoho Emmanuel
ABUJA — The Chairman of Arise with Renewed Hope Initiative, Abuja Chapter, Dr Tommy Okon, has said true leadership is not measured by the position a person occupies, but by the impact made and the legacy left behind.
Okon stated this in an interview with journalists during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Uyo Senatorial District Development Association, Abuja, to his office at the Akwa Ibom Liaison Office, Abuja.
He spoke on his 60th birthday and the launch of his book, The 5 As of Leadership: A Political Blueprint for Effective and Transformational Leadership.
The author waa grateful to God for the privilege of attaining the milestone, noting that turning 60 was particularly significant to him because his father died at the age of 47.
According to him, his years of experience in community leadership and union leadership at the apex level exposed him to valuable lessons which he considered important to document for the benefit of present and future generations.
Okon said the 108-page book was inspired by his experiences in public service, public relations, governance and organisational development.
He explained that the book identifies five interconnected pillars which, in his view, are essential for effective and transformational leadership: Availability, Accessibility, Acceptability, Adaptability and Accountability.
He said the five chapters of the book deal respectively with leadership availability, accessibility, acceptability, adaptability and accountability, while other sections include the acknowledgement, foreword, introduction, leadership profile, legacy and references.
Okon described the book as a practical blueprint for individuals seeking to lead with purpose, integrity, competence and compassion.
He said his decision to document his experiences was driven by the desire to leave a lasting footprint that would continue to benefit others beyond his lifetime.
“I came empty-handed and I have to go empty-handed. But I have to leave a footprint,” he said.
According to him, although nobody can take material possessions beyond death, knowledge, experience and positive contributions can continue to influence society.
“The day I die, I will not carry the book, but the book will live after me,” he said.
Okon identified lack of willpower to lead as one of the major gaps in leadership, stressing that occupying a position does not automatically make a person a leader.
“We have leaders, but what we don’t have is transformational leadership,” he said.
He challenged leaders to constantly assess their contributions while in office and ask whether they had made a positive difference and whether they would leave their positions better than they found them.
“Leadership is not about sitting at the seat, but what impact have you made? What legacy have you left behind? Have you been able to leave your seat better than you met it?” he asked.
The author also urged young people, particularly members of Generation Z, to cultivate the habit of reading rather than depending excessively on the internet.
He acknowledged that the internet provides enormous opportunities for information and learning, but noted that its numerous distractions could make it difficult for users to concentrate deeply.
Okon said books enable people to learn from the experiences and mistakes of others, stressing that reading remains essential to effective leadership.
“A leader is a reader, and a reader is a leader,” he said.
He, therefore ,urged the younger generation to read widely, learn from the experiences of others and develop the courage, knowledge and competence required to provide responsible leadership.
Okon said his ultimate goal was to leave behind a legacy from which future generations could learn and build upon.