One of the biggest mistakes you can make as an executive is to assume that you will be an executive forever. Technically from the YPG Constitution, you must be at least twenty years before you can be an executive because you must have renewed your membership for two consecutive years prior to the election. So let’s assume you are elected or appointed at age twenty, it means your first term will end when you are twenty-three and if you get the nod for a second term, it will also end at age twenty-six by which year you’ll be eligible for only one more term. So you see, you can realistically serve for only three terms across courts.

The point is, you won’t be a leader forever. Additionally, a second or third term is never guaranteed.

So what must you do when you are elected or appointed as a YPG Executive or into any leadership position?

Here are five things every (new) executive must do:

1. Have a vision: Write the vision clearly on a tablet… A vision is a mental picture of the future, strategically transcribed on paper. This vision will drive your actions and give you a focus. Everybody needs to have this picture and for leaders who have people looking up to their decisions, it is a must; no conditions. Get a vision!!!

2. Count the cost: One day Jesus asked, “Which of you intending to build will not first sit down and count the cost?” To me counting the cost is the starting point of a successful leadership tenure. Having a clear vision of what state your YPG must be in at the time of your departure is important but knowing that there is a price to pay to get there is more important. So sit back and reflect on the sacrifices you have to make to achieve the vision and be convinced you’re ready to go all out else you’ll start building and then the materials of zeal, commitment, diligence, will dry out and you will be mocked for starting something without counting the cost. Count the cost!!!!

3. Consult: The first person to consult is God in prayer and the question I so recommend is, “Lord, what will you have me do?” In leadership, the Holy Spirit is in charge and we must pray Him to have his way in us through the position we are occupying. Secondly, ask your predecessors to tell you the temperature of the water they are just coming out of. This will help you avoid some of the mistakes they made. The list of consultants is infinite but reading good books is the best way to meet these consultants. So read!!!

4. Excuse yourself from all excuses: Make a resolution not to make excuses. Give thyself wholly to the work of God in whatever capacity you’ve been called into. You were called to make the Guild Great, not to make excuses.

5. Mentor someone: A friend once told me that the measure of true leadership is the success of your successor and I have come to believe it. The Bible says, A good man leaves a good inheritance to his children’s children. A good leader leaves good footprints for his successors and one of the best ways to do this is to mentor people to take over from you. Consciously disciple people: delegate, coach, inspire… Be like Jesus.

Now go and make impact in your leadership. Selah!