Eight years ago, I started Black Safaya (which interestingly was the foundation for the next phase of my life at the time). Did I begin on a grand note? No. It was just a blog. I didn’t have a leadership title, a grand business plan, or any guarantees of success.
All I had was a passion for writing and a desire to share meaningful ideas. I could have waited—waited to feel more qualified, to have a more “official” leadership role, or for someone to validate my work. But I didn’t. I took action, I built, and I learned.
If I want to further go down memory lane, it may shock you to know that before the blog, all I had was a Facebook page where I wrote all that was in head. That was my first portfolio and from there, I never looked back.
Looking Back Now
Today, I am an executive in my day job while simultaneously building my own business, helping individuals and organizations shape their stories through writing, design, and publishing. Black Safaya has since expanded to include a non-profit arm, Safaya Foundation, and a publishing house, Safaya Writers.
Those early steps gave me the confidence to further my education, leading me to pursue a postgraduate diploma in Development Communication. Once I completed it, I took the next step and enrolled for a Master’s degree in the same field.
None of this happened because I chased leadership titles. It happened because I took initiative long before any formal recognition came. And if there’s anything I can leave you with, it is this: use yourself to practice leadership.
The Leadership Trap: Waiting for Validation
If you can lead yourself, you will lead others! This is true.
Too many people waste time waiting for permission to lead, waiting to feel worthy before stepping into their leadership potential. I’ve been there. I’ve second-guessed myself, wondering if my past roles or certifications were enough to qualify me for a new opportunity.
Heck! I turned down my first opportunity to speak on an international leadership platform because I felt the organisers must have made a mistake. There was nothing global “yet” about what I was doing, I convinced myself. Sigh! Now, I know better.
Robin Sharma’s The Leader Who Had No Title reminds us of the importance of leading from where we are. The most transformative leaders aren’t necessarily those with prestigious positions. They are the ones who create impact—often quietly, often without recognition, but always with purpose. Leadership is about action, not labels.
How I Make Leadership Decisions
These days, when faced with an opportunity, I don’t look to my CV for reassurance. Instead, I ask myself four key questions:
- Does this leadership move align with my faith? If a decision compromises my values, it’s an automatic no.
- Is this leadership step necessary for uncomfortable growth? Growth is rarely convenient, but if a challenge stretches me in the right direction, I lean in.
- Does this leadership role contribute positively to others and a worthy vision? If it does, then it’s worth pursuing—regardless of whether I feel completely “ready.”
- What do I have now that I can leverage to get the leadership task at hand done? This answers the resourcefulness question. Many years ago, my father called me a resourceful person. I realize I am never stranded. There is always something—knowledge, skills, relationships, past experiences—that can be maximized to move forward in leadership.
This mindset shift has changed everything. I no longer wait to become a leader. I lead in the ways I can, with what I have, where I am.
The Power of Leadership Through Action
Leadership isn’t about waiting for a title. It’s about stepping up when something needs to be done, when a vision needs to be carried forward, and when others need encouragement. Some of the most influential leaders in my life never had “big” leadership titles, but they had impact. They disrupted spaces for the better, not because they were asked to, but because they could.
How many times have you delayed your leadership calling, waiting for validation that will never come.? The truth is, we are never truly ready—but we are always capable. The real question is, will we step into leadership and act?
On a Final Note…
if you have been waiting for a leadership title to give you permission to step up, this is your sign to stop waiting. Leadership is not about titles—it’s about mindset, action, and impact. The best leaders don’t wait for permission; they recognize opportunities and take responsibility.
So, what leadership move have you been hesitating on? It’s time to take the first step.
PS: This post is dedicated to “Uncle Mukky” who taught me the Art of Negotiation, and recommended the book, “15 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by John C. Maxwell. Thank you sir!
