Bookpleasures.com ishonored to introduce a renowned author, educator, and visionary leader, Dr. Sam Adeyemi.

Hailing from Atlanta, Dr. Sam Adeyemi is a prominent figure in executive leadership and mentorship. As the founder and director of the esteemed Daystar Leadership Academy (DLA), he has impacted the lives of more than 45,000 alumni who have graduated from DLA programs. His global influence extends to over 3 million CEOs and high-performing professionals who follow his wisdom across every leading social media platform.

Dr. Sam’s latest literary offering, Dear Leader: Your Flagship Guide to Successful Leadership, is captivating readers and redefining how we perceive and practice leadership. With a doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Virginia’s prestigious Regent University and an active membership in the International Leadership Association, Dr. Sam Adeyemi brings both conceptual knowledge and practical experience to the forefront of leadership discussions.

Alongside his wife, Nike Adeyemi, Dr. Sam co-founded the Daystar Christian Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, a testament to their collective commitment to community and spiritual well-being. As a dedicated family man and a leader who inspires positive change on a global scale, Dr. Sam Adeyemi’s journey and insights are nothing short of extraordinary.

Today, we’re privileged to explore his latest book and hear from the man himself about his fascinating perspective on successful leadership. Welcome, Dr. Sam!

Norm: What inspired you to write Dear Leader: Your Flagship Guide to Successful Leadership, and what key message or insight do you hope readers take away from it?

Dr. Adeyemi: I was inspired to write Dear Leader by my own journey of self-discovery. As a professional — and even a successful one at that — I was never sure of my leadership potential until I discovered and defined my own leadership qualities.

Once I made those discoveries and gave meaning to my own power, I started to realize that everyone had the potential to be a successful leader. Everyone has the basic building blocks necessary to inspire and empower others, so long as they can discover and define those strengths within themselves. So, I shared my story in hopes that others might find their own voice in leadership.

Norm: Can you explain the concept of a "values-based culture" and why it is essential for successful leadership, as mentioned in your book?

Dr. Adeyemi: Leadership experts are starting to understand the very significant role of culture in cultivating successful and unsuccessful leadership. At the end of the day, culture outweighs strategy. If your company’s strategy was in the middle of a driving test, then your working culture would be the instructor next to you holding the second wheel — always the one really calling the shots. After all, the way individual professionals think and how they behave will inevitably overshadow the plans and goals of any organization.

Consequently, your working culture must be shaped in a way that can directly support your organization’s specific vision and mission. The values and habits of your team members are what create your working culture and as such your organization’s day-to-day potential. This is why the best leaders take time to influence mindsets and understand individual priorities, so that the people within the organization are both internally satisfied and in sync with the aspirations of the company.

Norm: How can aspiring leaders from diverse backgrounds create or improve values-based cultures within their organizations, as suggested in your book?

Dr. Adeyemi: The culture of an organization is essentially its personality — how it acts and how it is perceived by others. And, much like an individual’s personality, it will never change overnight. It will only change over time and through example, which means that any true mindset change begins and ends with the person in charge.

The most pressing concern for any values-based leader is to recognize and celebrate diversity because diversity is the fundamental strength of every team. Diversity brings a variety of perspectives to the table, and it enriches the quality of every single decision you make. Of course, you can’t benefit from this diversity without humility because authentic learning must begin with respect for every viewpoint.

Diversity is a key. That key opens a floodgate. That floodgate is your means of accessing constant innovation and evolution.

Norm: In your book, you mention that leadership is a skill that anyone can learn. Could you elaborate on the fundamental principles or skills that make a great leader?

Dr. Adeyemi: Traditional leadership evaluations value hard skills and administrative acumen. These things are certainly important, but they do not provide a comprehensive picture of what defines a successful leader. We are discovering more and more each year that “soft” skills, such as empathy, creativity, and imagination are a pivotal part of the most successful leadership styles.

Empathy is where it all begins. Leadership is about inspiring people, so the best leaders are always those who genuinely care about people and want to see them succeed. From there, a leader must possess vision, which is the ability to see latent possibility and tease it to the surface. Of course, communication is the skill set that underpins the entire mission because you cannot inspire anyone without making your ideas highly engaging and easy to digest.

Norm: Could you share some practical strategies or tips from your book that leaders can use to inspire others and create happier work environments?

Dr. Adeyemi: I will walk you through a few of my most straightforward tips for any executive.

Number 1: Personalize every plan. Global talent is just that — it is global. Leaders rise up from all corners of the world and come in all shapes and sizes. Personalized and individualized leadership development is the key to long-term success and growth.

Number 2: Avoid performance rankings. Performance rankings, especially when using numbers, can be degrading and deflating to employees. Consider providing performance reviews that offer measurements that focus on improvement, new ideas, revenues generated, commissions earned, and personal and professional growth.

Number 3: Clearly define every payoff. Competent leaders help their diverse and multi-generational teams visualize what the payoffs will be when the projects are completed. This gives the team the drive and desire to reach the final goals of the projects\

Norm: Your book mentions the importance of solving problems better and faster. What problem-solving techniques or approaches do you recommend for leaders?

Dr. Adeyemi: Successful leaders must transform their problem-solving process into an exact procedure with consistent steps and targeted outcomes. A rigorous problem-solving process is something with a beginning, a middle, and an end — identifying the problem, outlining possible approaches to the problem, and then acting on a chosen solution. 

One specific technique that can help with this process is mind mapping. A mind map, sometimes called a brain map, is a visual representation of your thoughts, ideas, and concepts, and how they connect to one another. Even if you are not a visual thinker, mind mapping and brain mapping can help you examine, create, understand, and remember new ideas.

Your mind map can be as unique as you are, which means it is everyone’s opportunity to get creative. Use colors, doodles, or whatever you need to express your words and objectives. This additional level of ownership goes a long way in visualizing what needs to be done.

Norm: How can leaders leverage principles to develop their character, and why is character development crucial in leadership?

Dr. Adeyemi: Even the simplest acts of leadership are rooted in trust. For example, let’s say your job is to lead someone from point A to point B. It doesn’t get much more straightforward than that. Still, why should that person follow you at all? What good reason do they have for abandoning what they already know?

Trust is the only logical answer, and trust is developed in a leader by way of fair and steadfast principles. When a leader consistently exhibits strong character, exercises self-discipline, and practices honest communication, trust is sure to follow. With trust in place, it is much easier for any leader to achieve authentic buy-in on their vision and mission, which is critical for joining your working culture with your ultimate aspirations.

Norm: Your book discusses becoming a change champion in one’s nation. Can you provide examples of individuals or organizations that have successfully done this, and how can others follow suit?

Dr. Adeyemi: Perhaps the most shining example of this in contemporary history is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was possessed of powerful principles that not only remained consistent, but also aligned with the trending politics of the 1950s and 1960s. He was a highly skilled orator and master of the written word, and his ultimate vision for the country was founded on the success and progress of others.

Leaders can follow his example by understanding their team members and outlining a vision that unites and inspires. Not everyone needs to be silver tongued, but any leader can mimic Dr. King’s success by developing their own method of communication that engages with people on a meaningful level. What’s the singular vision that can unite your organization? How can you package it in a way that showcases its strengths to everyone?

Norm: You’ve trained thousands of people in leadership. Can you share some success stories or lessons you’ve learned from your experiences as a leadership mentor?

Dr. Adeyemi: I used to think that a successful leader was defined by the size of their audience. If you’re acquiring more followers, surely it means you’re making the best decisions and walking the correct path. Right?

That said, a successful leader empowers people and inspires people to achieve their own vision. As such, a leader’s success isn’t simply in generating more followers, but rather in producing more leaders who in turn inspire and empower others. I am amazed every morning at the massive influence my protégés have cultivated, as well as the organizations and families they are building around the world.

For example, a number of professionals who have graduated from Daystar Leadership Academy are pastors of some of the fastest-growing churches in Nigeria. On top of that, a number of them are operating at the state and federal level as entrepreneurs who lead from the heart. They have genuine compassion for their people, and their organizations are about so much more than making money.

Norm: In Dear Leader, you mention increasing one’s capacity for success. What steps or actions can leaders take to expand their capacity for success in geometric proportions?

Dr. Adeyemi: Simply put, a leader should always be learning. Learning is what expands your capacity for empathy and broadens your vision, which are two of the most important traits for any successful leader.

Learning means a lot of things: attending conferences, hosting seminars, engaging with workshops, and absorbing up-to-the-minute industry knowledge at every turn. Beyond that, however, it also means positioning yourself to benefit from a mentorship. The past success of others can be a powerful stepping stone and exponentially increase your potential as you become part of a longer chain of executive evolution.

Leaders are always learning, and some of the most priceless lessons can be provided by your predecessors.

Norm: As we end our interview, where can our readers learn more about you and Dear Leader: Your Flagship Guide to Successful Leadership?

Dr. Adeyemi: I encourage every aspiring professional to visit MY WEBSITE to learn more about my latest book and my community of successful leaders.

I truly think every professional can benefit from this perspective. It is uplifting, motivating, and insightful. What’s more, its greatest strength lies not in prescribed wisdom or one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about shifting your entire mindset.

Norm: Thanks once again, and good luck with all of your endeavors.