Dear Leader,
I trust this meets you in pursuit of greatness.
There’s a quiet revolution that happens when we pay attention to the small things in our lives. Over the years, I’ve come to realize that leadership isn’t first about power, position, or influence, it is about who you are becoming each day.
During the webinar series on Saturday, I shared a bit about building habits that gets you closer to the vision you set for yourself. Today, I want to share three small but mighty habits that have transformed the way I lead. They’re not glamorous. They may not trend on social media. But these three things have quietly shaped my clarity, courage, and character.
1. Reading: Feeding my Mind
For over a decade, I started by committing just a few minutes a day to read. I didn’t start by reading the full chapter. I remember when I took reading seriously, it was my academic books. I was studying sociology then and I needed to come up with a strategy for reading in a way that I’d understand. Maximising my early mornings was my strategy, and it still is. Those few minutes every day were enough to stretch my thinking. I went beyond academics, I started reading widely on leadership and productivity. Books became my mentors. They challenged me, guided me, and gave me language for the future I envisioned.
Today, I have built the habit of reading at least 2 chapters of a book. I read between 2-3 books every month. It’s a habit you need.
Reading gave me perspective. It taught me that leadership is not just about doing more, but about seeing clearer and becoming better. It connected me with the thoughts of great minds across time, and in doing so, deepened my own.
2. Running: For Mental Clarity
Running for me isn’t for FitFam or to slim down and have a better body, it was something deeper than that. It was in one of those books, I actually stumbled on a research on how exercise contributes to making our brain better. The research shows that when you run or engage in aerobic exercise, your brain receives more oxygen-rich blood. This sharpens your thinking, enhances your ability to focus, and clears mental fog. It’s like hitting a “reset” button on your brain.
There are many advantages to exercise but for me, my morning jog contributes to mental clarity. Most times, I receive fresh ideas just after my morning road walk. After every run, I feel lighter, not just in my body, but in my mind.
Running taught me discipline, helped clear my mind, and reminded me that growth happens one step at a time.
3. Prayer & Meditation
Because I am a person of faith, I believe you cannot disconnect leadership from a deep connection with God. In this world, leadership can easily become noisy, one that is filled with decisions, opinions, pressure, and ambition. In the middle of it all, I found the stillness of prayer and meditation to be my anchor.
I have mastered the habit of starting my day with God. I take some time to connect with my core and clarify what direction that day heads. Whether it’s praying, reading the bible or just meditating, I observe that quiet moment.
In that quiet place, I found clarity. I am reminded that I am not leading alone. That there is a deeper wisdom and strength available to me. It helps me sustain the consciousness of the grace of God in my life.
This practice helped me lead from within, not just react to what’s outside. It is helping me become more grounded, more patient, and more intentional.
Leadership happens day after day and it is built in layers, not leaps. These three habits – reading, running, and prayer – may seem simple, but for over a decade they have given me the strength to lead with more conviction, clarity, and efficiency.
You don’t need to change your whole life overnight. I started one day and kept at it daily. Just Start small. Stay consistent. Your future self and those you will lead will thank you.
Which of these 3 can you start today
- Start with one book a month?
- Commit to a short walk or jog three times a week. Use it to think, reset, and return to your day with renewed focus?
- Set aside 5–10 minutes each morning to pray?
Just start.
I’m rooting for you,
The Great Owete