Four Perspectives on Success

Click here to listen to an audio of this post.

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3 NLT


What does it take to be successful or to lead? Today we examine success and leadership under four key points.

Have the right perspective about yourself

This is a key principle we all need to remember. It is worrying to meet people who look down on others or assert themselves to be more than they actually are. We all need a dose of humility, leaders and followers alike.

The starting point of humility is to have the right perspective about yourself. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet because he knew that God had entrusted all things into his hands (John 13: 1 -5). Truly humble people are comfortable and content with themselves and do not think of themselves more highly than they ought to. This does not however mean that we should not aspire for greatness.

Have the right perspective of others

  Destiny or a twist of fate can put your subordinate in your place and they in yours. Let’s be nice to people on the way up. In 1997 in Ghana, Mr. John Mahama was the deputy minister for communication and Mr. Spio Garbrah was minister for Communication. Fast forward to 2014, Mr. John Mahama was president of Ghana and Mr. Spio Garbrah was minister for Trade and Industry in Mahama’s Government.

In addition, think about this. How many times have you patronized a product or service because someone you know recommended it to you? The power of a recommendation from someone can catapult a person from the back to the front. Joseph was brought from the prison because the King’s cupbearer recommended him to the king (Genesis 41: 9-14).

Have the right perspective of success

Success is achieved within a community and the ladder of success can be climbed together with others. Many African proverbs illustrate this. “I am because you are and because you are, therefore I am” (Ubuntu philosophy). Another proverb is “it takes a community to raise children”. “If want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far go with others”. Always remember that the sky is big enough for a lot of birds to fly in it and big enough for a lot of stars to shine in it.

Have the right perspective of God

For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another. Psalms 75:6-7 NKJV.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10 NKJV

If you forget the role God plays, you can become a boot-licker, trying to get your way up with flattery.

These four principles are worth remembering not just on your way up but also when you achieve your dreams.  All the very best in your journey to the top.


See also: It’s All in There II

True Humility

Principles of Effective Leadership I

Principles of effective leadership II