By : TDTM
A true leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. This popular leadership philosophy, widely associated with leadership expert John C. Maxwell, aptly describes the leadership style of Mr Adedotun Sunday Keshinro, FNARC, State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command.
Since assuming leadership of the Lagos State Command, Keshinro has demonstrated a leadership approach built around vision, action, discipline, teamwork and personnel development, particularly in a state with the strategic importance and complexities of Lagos.
The Maxwell philosophy can be broken down into three practical principles that reflect the Commandant’s approach to leadership:
1. He Knows the Way — Vision
A true leader must have a clear understanding of the destination and communicate the path to achieving it.
Keshinro is described as a Commandant who provides clear goals and instructions to officers and men before assigning them operational responsibilities. His parade briefings and directives are designed to ensure that personnel understand their tasks and the broader objectives of the Command.
He also places emphasis on knowledge and continuous learning, encouraging personnel to read books and acquire knowledge that can transform their professional and personal lives beyond what is obtained within the four walls of academic institutions.
The Commandant also promotes clear direction and communication, while discouraging myopia and hypocrisy. According to the statement, he consistently advocates integrity, modesty, humility, peace, synergy, principle and self-denial as essential values in the discharge of official responsibilities.
2. He Goes the Way — Action
Leadership, according to the statement, is not merely about giving instructions but about demonstrating through action what is expected from others.
Keshinro is portrayed as a leader who matches his words with actions and remains involved in the execution of assignments given to his personnel. Rather than simply delegating responsibilities, he reportedly supervises tasks from planning through execution until the objectives are achieved.
His leadership style is also described as one characterised by commitment, hard work and resilience in confronting tactical and operational challenges.
The Commandant is said to reject the notion of impossibility and actively participates in the planning, processes and execution of credible and actionable programmes and assignments.
3. He Shows the Way — Guidance and Mentorship
The third quality of effective leadership is the ability to guide and empower others to succeed.
According to the statement, Keshinro encourages NSCDC personnel to devote quality time to training, self-development and productive ventures that can help them grow and reach their full potential.
One of his popular admonitions to personnel is: “Use your brain so that your body will not suffer.”
The statement said the Commandant also places considerable emphasis on teamwork, believing that collective effort is more effective than individual achievement.
This is reflected in another principle often associated with his leadership approach: “None of us is better than all of us put together.”
Through this philosophy, he encourages officers and men to work together and ensure that all hands are on deck in achieving the objectives of the Command.
Overall, the statement portrays Keshinro’s leadership at the Lagos State Command as one founded on vision, practical action, mentorship, teamwork, integrity and continuous personnel development.
