This is the Most Important Thing You Need To Know About Dr. Richard Konteh

Sierra Leoneans have seen some great attributes of Dr. Richard Konteh. But this is the most important thing you need to know about the man called "D-Unifier."

Good leadership is perhaps the most important competitive advantage any organization can have. It’s not surprising, therefore, that management scholars focus relentlessly on the attributes of successful leadership. But how do you differentiate a great leader from the pretenders-to-be?

Leadership is defined as the ability to motivate oneself and others to take positive action toward a goal. For leaders to lead, they need not only exceptional talent but also the ability to attract followers and supporters.

Leadership starts with motivating yourself. If you are having trouble motivating yourself, chances are very good that you aren’t motivating much of anyone else either – at least not in a positive and engaging way! Anytime that you tackle something challenging, something new, you attempt to change yourself or your habits, it takes leadership to face the unknown, the difficult, the possibility that you will fail – and go forward anyway.

Leadership is creating a change for the better. To do so takes boldness, courage, persistence, faith and fearlessness. Fearless leaders influence others to become more fearless, more open to change, grow and adapt.

Fearlessness is not the complete absence of fear. It is the type of fearless leadership Nelson Mandela described in this famous quote:

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

Clearly, a fearless leader must have ample amounts of courage. A fearless leader must also possess other important attributes, skills and ability, many of which are developed while facing hardship, obstacles and adversity.

Fearless leaders are vulnerable, able to embrace their own failures, weaknesses and imperfections without using them as excuses. People like to follow other humans, not flawless icons, so admitting weakness actually attracts others and makes them feel kinship with the leader, and even greater loyalty.

Fearless leaders instinctively seek out growth opportunities and learning for themselves, their people, and their organizations. Neither dissatisfied or content, fearless leaders know that there is always more to learn, new ways to develop and improve, and a higher level of performance just around each corner – sometimes just after the next failure. Fearless leaders develop people, see their strengths and challenge them to fulfill their potential.

Fearless leaders are not arrogant, but they see themselves as in service to others, to the mission of the organization, and to its many stakeholders. “We” is the dominant pronoun in organizations that embrace fearless leadership, and collaboration is how things get done.

A fearless leader is someone who is committed to finding a way forward no matter the obstacles. A fearless leader is someone who puts service above self, listens to and respects others, invites diversity of thinking, is open to feedback and wants to be challenged in order to be a better leader. A fearless leader practices mindfulness, and embraces unity, diversity and inclusion as a way of life.

Sierra Leoneans have come to see all of these attributes in Dr. Richard Konteh.

Grounded in reality, Dr. Richard Konteh is always calm, focused, and steadfast, and also hopeful for the future. Richard Konteh is also fully committed to the APC Party’s cause and he has taken personal responsibility for the success of the party. Now, that’s a lot to live up to. But that’s the kind of fearless leader that Dr. Konteh aspire to be.

Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway

In her seminal book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway (first published in 1987) author Dr. Susan Jeffers, Ph.D. helps to explain that underneath all of our fears is the belief that we cannot handle what life throws our way. In order to lessen the fear, we must gain more trust in our ability to handle whatever comes our way.

Dr. Richard Konteh, like Dr. Jeffers believed that “if something is troubling you, simply start from where you are and take the action needed to change it.”

Dr. Konteh always encourages his followers and supporters by saying, “build trust in yourself until you reach the point where you can say, “Whatever happens to me, however awful, I CAN HANDLE IT.”

This may sound like hocus pocus, but it’s an empowering belief that has empowered Dr. Richard Konteh through times of adversity and hardship.

In the short video below, Dr. Richard Konteh demonstrated all qualities of a fearless leader as described above. He handled the intimidation, suppression and harassment with unflinching determination throughout the squabble. You can see in this video clip that he felt the fear and stood his ground, and challenged the opposition anyway. This is a remarkable pointer for what he is and what he can do. If you ever doubted him, it is time to think about him very seriously.

Make a Fearless Choice

During extraordinary and difficult times, we do have a choice. We have a choice in HOW we respond. We can hunker down and wait it out, or meet it head-on and use it as a learning and development opportunity. The Unifier Team chose the latter. And like the thousands Sierra Leoneans who have made the same choice, we invite you to join us in rising to the occasion.

D-Unifier is going all the way to the top! Are you with us?