By Amb. SMASE Provost Ibraheem Ogunbanwo
In today’s rapidly evolving society, leadership is not merely about occupying positions or holding titles—it is about responsiveness, responsibility, and relevance. In this 21st-century reality, where challenges arise faster than solutions, it is time to advocate for a more proactive, emotionally intelligent model of leadership.
As a Youth Ambassador and young generation leader, I have come to understand that leadership without emotional intelligence is like a compass without direction—it misguides rather than leads.
The Flaw of Reactive Leadership
Too often, we see leaders who only act when the damage is done. Reactive leadership waits for the fire to burn before it seeks water. It blames before it understands. It speaks before it listens. And in doing so, it loses the trust and connection required to lead people effectively.
This reactive approach is what keeps our communities stagnant—policies made in haste, conflict resolved without empathy, and opportunities missed due to fear, pride, or indecision.
Why Proactive Leadership Matters
Proactive leadership is about foresight—seeing beyond the moment. It’s about anticipating needs, preventing crises, and creating structures that empower rather than suppress. A proactive leader:
Plans for the future instead of reacting to the past.
Builds people before problems arise.
Prioritizes long-term vision over short-term applause.
Listens deeply, understands calmly, and acts wisely.
This is the leadership we need in our communities, our institutions, and our government—a leadership rooted in intentionality and emotional balance.
The Role of Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is no longer optional in leadership—it is essential. It is the ability to manage one’s emotions and understand the emotions of others. A leader with high EQ:
Responds, not reacts.
Leads with empathy, not ego.
Resolves conflict with calm, not chaos.
Builds trust through consistency, not control.
In our youth spaces, political structures, and student unions, we must begin to demand and model this kind of leadership. Leadership that listens. Leadership that cares. Leadership that reflects before it reacts.
A Call to the Youth and Emerging Leaders
Dear young leaders, the future is not something we wait for—it’s something we prepare for. Let us not be content with reactive leadership that only moves when pushed. Let us rise to be proactive architects of change, driven by emotional intelligence, humility, and strategic vision.
Let us seek to understand before being understood, to build bridges instead of walls, and to become the leaders our generation truly needs—not just vocal, but valuable.
In Conclusion
Leadership in this era demands more than intellect—it demands emotional wisdom. Let us raise a generation that leads not out of impulse, but out of insight. That speaks not from pressure, but from purpose.
Because in the end, it is not how loud a leader is that defines them, but how wisely they act when it matters most.
Build The Youth! Build The Nation!
Impact The Youth! Impact The Nation Positively!
SMASE Provost Cares