Eight-Sixteen Leadership: Leading You in a World That Wants to Follow

By Dr. Nina Knight, Ed. D

The leadership relationship is a peculiar one; it carries a weight that often feels uncomfortable while highlighting an undeniable attraction to those who answer its call. Leadership is something we all crave, and our desire is to participate in effective leadership practice. Yet it is the one area we find the greatest struggle among investors. Too often we are conflicted with the concept of leadership because we wrestle with embracing the responsibility attached. Eight-Sixteen Leadership supports your desire to accept your role as a leader by assisting you in tackling the inner challenges that prevent your growth as a leader.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888327210

Book preview

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Eight-Sixteen Leadership

Leading You in a World That Wants to Follow

Dr. Nina Knight, Ed. D

ISBN 979-8-88832-720-3 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-721-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Dr. Nina Knight, Ed. D

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

Part 1

The Role of the Leader

Change

Put Your Fears in the Game

Become Trauma-Informed

Be Yourself

Problem-Solving

In Your Back Pocket

Get Yourself One

You Gotta Communicate

Final Reflection: The X Factor

Part 2

Another View

The Runaway: Leading from the Shadows by Kevin Johnson

The Rejected Leaderby Shanika Knight

Abandonment in Leadershipby Nikoli Lamont Norman

Leadership through Lossby Quahsim Gredic

Acceptanceby Shaniya Holloway

It's Time for New Shoes: Walking Away When You've Outgrown a Situationby Arnette Covert

Your Voice Has Power by Tinysha Mims

Lead

About the Author

Introduction

There is a strong need for leadership, specifically leadership that is not only empowering but also transformative. Leadership is something we all crave, and our desire is to participate in effective leadership practice. Yet it is the one area we find the greatest struggle among investors. Too often we are conflicted with the concept of leadership because we wrestle with embracing the responsibility attached to it. The leadership relationship is a peculiar one; it carries a weight that often feels uncomfortable while highlighting an undeniable attraction to those who answer its call. Leadership is daunting. It is scary to think that our greatest level of achievement can easily shift into our most antagonizing defeat.

I have heard that there is a leader inside each of us. I was not always sure I agreed with this concept; however, as time progressed, I soon became aware of the necessity for each of us to embrace this magnificent tool. Have you ever witnessed a leader forfeit their position because of fear? You knew and understood that there was something special, something unique, about them. This individual possessed an appeal that galvanized people to achieve beyond their expectations, they encouraged others to understand something clearly, they offered support to those who possessed greatness but was too afraid to pursue it, and they enabled others to highlight their gifts with no worry about themselves. Yet this individual preferred the background. They often took the lesser role to let another shine. This individual made you understand the quality of character and integrity that every leader should possess. Do you know such a person? Can you picture how vital they are in the life of an institution? We all know such a person because we are that person.

In my attempt to be transparent, I must disclose that I was—no, I am that person. I used my shyness and being an introvert as an excuse not to lead. This denial came with anguish and led to frustration because when a leader does not lead, it is antagonizing. Whether they have the title of leader or not, the brain of a leader functions in the role of a leader. They see things as a leader and become frustrated with ineffective leadership practice even when it resides within themselves. They scrutinize leaders who misuse their role, utilizing abusive practices that stagnate growth and poison the communal environment, because those practices potentially hinder the development of new leaders.

For years, I felt unqualified to lead, and it was mostly because of fear. I was afraid of the voices I thought I heard on the outside but were no more than an amplification of the voices residing on the inside. The voices in my head talked to me and encouraged me to remain stagnant. Those voices trumped all, paralyzing me, positioning me in a role that was no longer mine to hold. It was time for me to make a courageous decision, but I cowered in excuses. The disappointment I felt in myself because of my fear became paradoxical. I wanted others to see my potential to lead and give me accolades, yet my avoidance left the same encouragers confused. But they did not understand the resolve I had for my need to be safe. Safety was all that mattered.

Safety—we seek it, but there is no guarantee in things being safe. As parents, we take pride in ensuring that our children are safe, but even the greatest of intentions cannot prevent the injury of a child. It is the fear of injury that causes us to go into protection mode. We grip safety as a means of protecting ourselves from the unknown, the dangers around the corner, embarrassment, and the wound. This fear causes us to lock our doors, vowing to live peacefully in our current comfortable state. Regardless of the means taken to provide safety, we must understand that safety is not secure.

Safety is sinking. It sinks your spirit and blinds your ambition because it locks you inside a cycle of insecurity. Insecurity is never safe. In fact, insecurity is ungrateful. It is never satisfied. It craves from others what it is afraid or unable to give to itself. Insecurity breeds contentment, spitting venom because of the frustration from living in a prison of self-doubt.

That was me, and sometimes it still is me—insecure and masking my insecurity in comedic gestures in the hope that others would not notice my deficits. Sadly, I was the only one fooled by the game of charades I played. Yes, others cheered my name and sang praises for my achievements, but no one understood the cry to be more than just my degrees. No one understood the frustration I felt from not shrinking, trapped inside a land mine of my mind, afraid to move because of its explosive potential. Yet that was the exact thing I needed: movement. I wanted out. I needed out. My life depended on me getting out.

It took me a while to get to this level of awareness. I skillfully followed and served leaders who suggested I take the next step. There were seeds planted, watered, and cultivated in me, all prodding me to become the leader I was keeping from coming forth. It was not until I had enough of myself, that I decided to walk in my role as a leader. Am I scared? Yes, but being scared is okay.

This brings us to eight-sixteen leadership. Eight-sixteen leadership is a concept that I developed while preparing myself as a leader. As I studied the tools of leadership, I sought ways to effectively implement leadership practices in everyday situations, specifically situations that required authentic leadership, especially when there was no voice. Leadership is that necessary voice that uplifts an individual, group, or organization to move beyond potential to results. The problem is that the voice of the leader is obscure and muffled, with no sense of clarity. This lack of clarity prevents the fulfillment of a vision and the development of a leader. Living in a bed of frustration, I was challenged by inner wars that fought against me, keeping me from manifesting my true potential, which birthed eight-sixteen leadership.

Therefore, an eight-sixteen leader is one who embraces the challenge of turning every eight into sixteen. This may sound confusing, but let me take a moment to explain. The eight-sixteen leader takes every talent or gift, multiplies outcomes, doubles the impact of the organization, and increases the potential and productivity of its supporting stakeholders. Do you see and understand the power of that type of leader? It is scary. It is my belief that we are often afraid to walk in our role as a leader. Eight-sixteen leadership supports your desire to accept your role as a leader by assisting you in tackling the inner challenges that prevent your growth as a leader.

It is also my belief that we are tired of the status quo and ready for more. You understand your impact and know that your skill set serves as a catalyst to not only impact but also change the world. You are not just a leader; you are an eight-sixteen leader. It is time to embrace your new leadership role. To help you navigate through this new terrain, Eight-Sixteen Leadership will support you by providing the tools needed to implement