Paul Skidmore’s Post

Back during my seminary days at Virginia Union University, a lunchtime idea between several graduate students to travel to Africa turned into a transformative educational immersion experience in Ghana, West Africa. The inaugural trip of 15 students wasn't a full-scale rollout but a pilot, a small step that would eventually touch hundreds of lives for over two decades. How can starting small or piloting contribute to your organization’s overall success?  1. It aligns with our core values and vision, minimizing risks.  2. It harnesses organizational culture to gather actionable feedback.  3. It calls for an engaged team effort, ensuring everyone is onboard and focused on success. Is your team pondering a new initiative? Think about this: 1. How aligned is your pilot with your organization's heartbeat? 2. Are you ready to gather, analyze, and act on feedback? 3. Is your team set up for success now and in the future? Starting an innovative journey might seem daunting, but remember: even the most extensive programs and successes often begin as a spark, an idea. Philanthropist, Activist, Author, and Tennis Icon Arthur Ashe sums it up best, "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." If you're curious about our transformative journey to Ghana and the lessons we gleaned from piloting the educational immersion initiative, check out Jordan Sydnor's full "Just Get Started" Coaching Innovation blog for an insightful, deeper dive.  #Innovation #Leadership #PilotProjects #JustGetStarted

The time spent with fellows from 50 different African nations and their diverse industry knowledge was amazingly insightful. I discovered a request for mid-career practitioners issued by the University of Georgia's Africa Civic Engagement Academy in 2021 luckily for me, I was selected. I had high expectations for this academy because I had recently launched my youth-led nonprofit and needed such training to grow. Amazingly, I didn't feel let down. The program was jam-packed with useful knowledge and first-hand accounts from experts in the field. In addition to other topics, we learned about leading change, NGO management, inclusive participation, communication, media involvement, resource mobilization, integrating community and government, stakeholders engagement and civic engagement. The rigorous, one-year training forced me outside of my comfort zone. It required mental effort. But I succeeded.I was one of the 60 fellows chosen from among the 3,000 candidates to get a fully sponsored trip by the US Department of States to the University of Georgia's Summit. I was commended for my Action plan and efforts and requested to participate in a panel discussion. This just serves to demonstrate that there are no restrictions on what we can do if we have faith in our own abilities and refuse to let other people tell us otherwise. They say that learning never stops, and I have grown to understand the need to continue my own personal development. I'm amazed at the capacity I possess. it's almost unbelievable. I appreciate the faculty member at the University of Georgia's Fanning Institute of Leadership for their investment in me, for the numerous opportunities provided, and for the network and Pan-Africanism ignited in me. #leadership #career #learning #community #opportunity.

“African leaders must strategize to regain Africa’s lost glory. We have abundant natural resources in Africa, sufficient for everyone. To achieve this, we need to promote utilization and a culture of integrity”- Abiodun Adebayo Please read the entire interview session in the link below. https://lnkd.in/ggE8tPDt

 Industry Trends Alert! This blog post discusses the personal and professional growth that comes with teaching at an international school in the Middle East. The experience of teaching internationally exposes South African teachers to different teaching methods, practices, and perspectives, which enhance one's own teaching philosophies and styles, and you will grow as a teacher 100% as a result of workshops, seminars, and in-class mentoring. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/de5aytxJ #TeachAbroad #ProfessionalGrowth #InternationalEducation #TeachingJourney #MiddleEast #TeacherDevelopment #MiddleEast 

Gain valuable insights from Ali Hashmi CPHR, MBA, M.Sc an experienced academic professional and instructor at several universities in Manitoba. In our conversation, Ali highlighted the significance of cultural sensitivity in Canada's multicultural environment and the value of networking. He also stated the importance of setting career goals, and preparing for the workforce. Don't miss out on these important tips! Thanks to U Multicultural Channel for having us in another episode of #newcomernetwok with #jhocelingilbert #lapailacanada #umulticulturalchannel #newcomernetwork Watch the complete video: https://lnkd.in/gF_hfZRd

In a LoL Africa Fellowship session, addressed by Sen. Crystal Asige, MP from Kenya, 'resilience' was dissected from an experiential perspective. These were my Top 5 Takeaways: 1. Resilience is an extension of self-mastery. Sen. Crystal Asige was diagnosed with glaucoma in her early 20s which demanded she relearn most things she'd mastered. Her commitment to doing so allowed her to preserve core elements of herself and restore others. 2. Practice grace with yourself. Leading self is an integral part of leadership. Often times we're harder on ourselves than we are on others, therefore to be the grace we seek is vital in accepting that there are moments in our journey reserved for letting go and learning. 3. Find comfort with being an eternal beginner. It's often said, "the top of one mountain is the bottom of another"; I've found this to be true in my personal journey of advocacy. Triumphs give birth to other possible triumphs and this requires knowledge seeking and readiness to start from "zero" again and again. 4. Pace Yourself. Time is relative and therefore incomparable. Take it upon yourself to relieve pressure points and master adaptation methods. Dare I say: you are your only and biggest competition. 5. "The world needs your gift as much as you need to give it." - Sen. Crystal Asige Purpose chose to: find a home in you and serve through you; let every moment of doubt and questioning incubate certainty. Finally, to say the interaction organised by The Bluvard Education Initiative was an honour and a great kickstart would be understated. #LolAfrica #LeadersofLeadersAfrica #resilience #leadership #growthmindset

I know how it feels. I remember desiring a better future for my children than my income could carry. For instance, I wanted them to attend the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in Johannesburg. The tuition was $30,000 per annum but I had zero dollars in the bank. In fact, I was indebted to the tune of over N40 million at this time. I had two choices: 1. Give up and “cut my coat according to my size.” In other words send them to a public school where fees won’t give me a headache. I heard a popular preacher tell his audience that he would never send his children to a school where fees would be a regular prayer point. I perfectly understand that. 2. I could find a way where there’s no way. I decided for option #2. I couldn’t bear my self to imagine that my children could have become much more if only I stretched myself a little more. If only I had denied myself convenience to give them an edge. Like my parents, ordinary primary school teachers, did for me and my siblings. Besides, whatever struggles (spiritual or financial) that you don’t conquer today your children must deal with. Most people are suffering today because their parents didn’t attempt. PS: All our three children eventually made it through ALA. Your case is POSSIBLE. Your child deserves a chance!  Join the Challenge and learn how. ogboawokeogbo.com

On my recent visit to University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. As a Researcher, one of the stunning views that caught my attraction is the Donald E. U. Library. Uniport has gotten it right in infrastructures, which other public universities can learn from. while interacting with students, many of them applauded the visionary, pragmatic, and proactive leadership of Prof. Owunari Georgewill in transforming the University to a center of excellence. #UniportIsWorking.

As a young African leader and changemaker, How do you answer this question? What kind of leaders does Africa need at the moment and in the future to address Africa's most significant challenges? When you think of it through a different lens, I hope you can find a way to help the continent and the people—societies facing economic, social, and political disparities. We all can do better regardless of our circumstances if we join hands together to work for the betterment of our people. Let's save Africa; let's save the future generation. Please support Steering for Greatness Foundation with anything to help achieve its mission in Nigeria. #nigeria #work #future #people #leaders #entrepreneurs #help #africa