Stetson University had the pleasure of having Peter Anyang’ Nyong'o share leadership advice at the Keynote address for Values Day in Lee Chapel.
The Kenyan senator gave a speech full of inspirational anecdotes, challenging the men and women of Stetson University to be leaders of their generation. As a leader himself, Senator Nyong’o knows firsthand this is not an easy task, but “the ability to endure trying times demonstrates the qualities of a good leader.”
Even if difficult times do make for a good leader, Senator Nyong’o believes that the most significant aspect of being a leader lies in faith. “A good leader needs to have faith in themselves and in their power, always God-given, to inspire and achieve,” said Nyong’o.
Inspire and achieve, that’s exactly what Senator Nyong’o did throughout his speech. “It was very uplifting. As a leader, I think it was a lot to teach me for what I want for my future,” said Tevin Williams, an MBA graduate student at Stetson University.
Williams, along with many other students, really took in everything Senator Nyong’o was saying and felt motivated to be a leader. “I think everything he said was definitely true for anyone that leaves Stetson or anyone that is looking to find what is going to make a good leader out of themselves and what they want to do,” said Williams.
Victoria, an English major at Stetson University, had a similar opinion. “Everything he was saying was very inspiring, it kind of made me a little emotional,” said Victoria, “makes you want to apply it to your own life.”
And she definitely can. Nyong’o is a strong believer in different types of leaders, “ranging from business, diplomacy, education, academia, religious institutions, social movements, sports, art, and culture.” Anyone in these areas can become a successful leader, “occupying a position of responsibility may not bring out the quality of leadership in an individual, but an individual with leadership qualities makes a difference in the position he occupies,” said Senator Nyong’o.
With any leadership position, comes hard work and discipline, and being born great is not an excuse. “To be born great does not mean an individual sits back and just becomes great by doing nothing,” said Senator Nyong’o.
However, Nyong’o does not ignore the possibility of failure. In fact, he believes in setting expectations for yourself, expectations to sometimes even fail. “Do not always expect to succeed in everything you set out to achieve,” said Nyong’o, “sometimes failure may help even better success in the future.”
Senator Nyong’o acknowledged many of the leaders around the world, classifying them as leaders “who inspire, show the way, take the new path, influence social action, and possibly impact the life of people in specific historical context.” Among them were President Barack Obama, Helen Keller, and his favorite artists Billie Holiday.
Stetson students definitely have big shoes to fill when it comes to these leaders, but Nyong’o believes it in can be achieved through a strong relationship between students and faculty. “Success depends on the commitment of the teachers and the students. It is a meeting of the minds,” said Senator Nyong’o.
