SHIFTS E-Book

Sam Adeyemi

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 323

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Your step-by-step guide to master the art of transformational leadership

In SHIFTS, Dr. Sam Adeyemi provides a step-by-step blueprint for leaders to create lasting positive change. Drawing from over 30 years of leadership coaching experience, Dr. Adeyemi teaches readers the importance of personal development, cultural awareness, and leading effectively in a globalized world.This essential read introduces the SHIFTS framework, a unique methodology that guides leaders through six transformative steps:

1.      See: Cultivate vision to recognize opportunities and challenges.

2.      Hear: Listen deeply to understand spoken and unspoken messages.

3.      Insight: Synthesize information to gain clear perspectives for decision-making.

4.      Formulate: Develop innovative and practical strategies from insights.

5.      Transform: Implement strategies to drive change and achieve goals.

6.      Succeed: Sustain positive change and inspire continuous growth.

SHIFTS is a must-have for current and aspiring leaders seeking to develop essential leadership skills applicable to any role and industry. Transform your mindset and elevate your leadership with this powerful guide.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Cover

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Introduction: Welcome to SHIFTS

What's to Come

Note

SHIFT image

Chapter 1

: The Power of SHIFTS

The Power of Mindset Shifts

Introduction to SHIFTS: Six Steps to Transformation

The Heart of the Matter Is a Matter of the Heart

Sources Gathered for This Book

Group Work (for Organizational Leaders)

Notes

Chapter 2

: See and Hear

Mastering Leadership Through What You See and Hear

Notes

Chapter 3

: Insights and Formulate

Harnessing Insights to Formulate Impactful Strategies

Formulate

Notes

Chapter 4

: Transform and Succeed

The Path to Transformation and Success

Transform

Notes

Chapter 5

: Personal SHIFTS (Values)

Personal Shifts Through Values

Of Course, Values Change

Cultures Are Built on Doing the Right Thing, Because It's the Right Thing to Do

Values Are Leadership Currency That SHIFTS Integrity and Trust

What About Bias?

Trust and Values

Guardians of Integrity

Values Can Shift Positively or Negatively

Leaders Shape Values

Love as a Fundamental Value

Love Is the Recognition and Celebration of Value in Others

Carrying Values Forward Through Succession Planning

High-Profile Organizations Who Set the Tone

Core Values Matter

Notes

Chapter 6

: Professional SHIFTS (Team, Multigenerational, Distance)

Leading Across Generations and Distance: Redefining Team Success

Creating Culture SHIFTS in Your Organization

Leadership Is Challenged When Cultures Merge

Multigenerational SHIFTS

Distance SHIFTS: How Working from 6,000 Miles Away Elevated Bigger, Bolder Mind Shifts

Notes

Chapter 7

: Leadership SHIFTS (Global and Cultural)

Global Perspectives in Leadership: Understanding Cultural SHIFTS

Class Is in Session, and Today's Subject Is Vision

Partnerships Across Borders – Make the Shift to Global Leadership

The Interdependence of Nations

Notes

Conclusion: The SHIFTS Impact

SHIFTing Never Stops

Invention and Reinvention

What I Hope You've Learned

Note

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Unlock Your Next Level of Leadership

SHIFT image

Index

End User License Agreement

List of Illustrations

Chapter 1

Figure 1.1 SHIFTS Process Model

Guide

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Introduction: Welcome to SHIFTS

SHIFT image

Table of Contents

Begin Reading

Conclusion: The SHIFTS Impact

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Unlock Your Next Level of Leadership

SHIFT image

Index

End User License Agreement

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Praise for SHIFTS

“Dr. Sam Adeyemi has proven himself as a reliable voice in transformational leadership and a true catalyst for change. This book is a valuable resource for anyone ready to shift their mindset and rise to the next level in leadership. A worthy investment of your time and energy!”

—Ibukun Awosikaentrepreneur, author, and thought leader; former chairman, First Bank of Nigeria PLC; founder and CEO, The Chair Centre Group

“Considering that most transformation programs fail in organizations, in this book, Sam provides a practical framework, SHIFT, that every leader can use to achieve desired outcomes from their transformation programs.”

—Olu Adegokeglobal managing partner, Communications, Media and Technology Practice, Infosys Consulting

“SHIFTS is not just a guide to mindset transformation; it's a deeply personal journey brought to life by Sam's own remarkable experiences. Sam's personal stories inspire readers to embrace these powerful mindset shifts in their own lives, offering practical tools to lead with vision, resilience, and purpose.”

—Drew GerberCEO, Wasabi Publicity, Inc.

“SHIFTS offers tools to navigate these changes with grace, turning challenges into opportunities for growth. It's a must-read for anyone who wants to lead with heart and purpose.”

—Ken HondaZen millionaire, bestselling author of Happy Money

“Dr. Adeyemi understands that true leadership is not just about achieving success but also creating positive change that elevates everyone. This book is an inspiring road map for leaders ready to embrace a more expansive, heart-centered approach to leadership and leave a lasting impact on the world.”

—Steve Farrellcofounder and worldwide executive director of Humanity's team, author of A New Universal Dream

“This book not only equips readers with practical tools but also inspires a transformative mindset that is crucial in today's complex landscape. SHIFTS is a must-read for anyone dedicated to leading with integrity and purpose.”

—Portia Woodfounder of Wood Legal Group, LLP; generational wealth expert

“SHIFTS is a pivotal read for leaders who want to cultivate not only external success but also internal depth and fulfillment.”

—Kirk J. Schneider, PhDpsychologist, 2022 candidate for president of the American Psychological Association (APA), author

“SHIFTS is a profound guide that speaks directly to the evolving role of leadership in today's emphasis on transformation, consciousness, and heart-centered decision-making will resonate with anyone looking to create sustainable change—not only within organizations but within the broader societal framework.”

—Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletierclinical professor of medicine at UCSF, director of the Corporate Health Improvement Program

“SHIFTS, isn't just another book on how to lead—it's a blueprint for real, measurable transformation. SHIFTS will challenge you to elevate not only your leadership but also your mindset. It's a guide for anyone serious about making an impact.”

—Dr. Bradley Nelsonauthor of The Emotion Code, and founder of Discover Healing

“This book is a remarkable road map for anyone looking to elevate their leadership skills and mindset. In a world increasingly shaped by technology and rapid change, SHIFTS encourages us to foster a culture of empathy and understanding, which is essential for success. Read this book if you are striving to lead with purpose and create lasting positive impact.”

—Alex Bäcker, PhDinnovator, multiple patent holder, author of 101 Clues to a Happy Life

“This book serves as a powerful blueprint for fostering authentic connections and driving meaningful impact within teams. A must-read for anyone ready to unlock their leadership potential.”

—Adam MarkelCEO of More Love Media, author of Change Proof

“What a remarkable playbook for leaders who want to cultivate a winning mindset and inspire greatness in others!”

—Jay Paternoauthor of BLITZED!

“SHIFTS is a transformative guide for leaders ready to embrace a more dynamic and visually engaging approach to leadership. Adeyemi's emphasis on seeing and hearing goes beyond the surface, encouraging leaders to draw out insights and foster genuine connections with their teams.”

—Tamás Járdánleadership and high-performance coach, founder of Coaching by Drawing™ method

“This book masterfully guides leaders through the kind of mindset transformation that truly sparks lasting change. For anyone serious about leading with purpose and building a legacy of success, SHIFTS is the road map you've been waiting for!”

—Hilary DeCesareCEO of The Relaunch Co., author of RELAUNCH! Spark Your Heart to Ignite Your Life

“This is a refreshing take on leadership, blending practical strategies with mindful self-awareness. Dr. Adeyemi shows that true leadership begins with mastering your mindset—developing the ability to see clearly, listen deeply, and act with intention.”

—Julie Potikermindfulness expert, author of SNAP! From Chaos to Calm

“What a powerful guide for leaders looking to evolve their leadership skills and mindsets. His focus on bridging cultural and generational gaps is especially timely, offering leaders a clear path to navigate today's complex world.”

—Kimberly Faithsystems thinking expert, author of Your Lion Inside

“Dr. Sam Adeyemi's SHIFTS is a remarkable guide for conscious leadership and personal transformation. He brilliantly weaves together the elements of vision, intuition, and strategic action to help leaders create positive, lasting change.”

—Marie Diamondglobally recognized feng shui master, award-winning speaker inducted to the Speakers Hall of Fame, bestselling author of Your Home Is a Vision Board

“I resonated deeply with the concept of the human mind being like a camera, absorbing all that its sees and hears. He describes that by feeding the mind the right inputs, you can powerfully shift your mindset and leverage it to manifest your vision for success. SHIFTS is one of those powerful inputs for the camera of your mind.”

—Vish Chatterji, MBAexecutive coach, founder of Head & Heart Insights, author of The Business Casual Yogi; and Astrology Decoded

“As we navigate the complexities of leadership, this book serves as a powerful reminder that true transformation begins within, allowing us to create environments that celebrate diversity and foster connection.”

—Apela Colorado, PhDauthor of Woman Between the Worlds: founder and president, Worldwide Indigenous Science Network

“Dr. Adeyemi empowers leaders to master their mindset and lead with vision, purpose, and insight. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to guide their team or organization toward lasting, positive change.”

—Dr. Alan Lindemannobstetrician, maternal health expert, author of Pregnancy Your Way: Choose a Safe and Happy Birth

“Dr. Sam Adeyemi has crafted a powerful guide to leadership with SHIFTS. His ability to break down the complex journey of leading into clear, actionable steps makes this book an invaluable resource. This book will inspire leaders at every level to create meaningful, lasting impact.”

—Ken Fosterauthor of The Courage to Change Everything, podcast host of Voices of Courage

“With 45,000 graduated students and over three million CEOs as friends, I focused on every word Dr. Sam Adeyemi said!”

—Tony DUrsohost of The Tony DUrso Show, author of Imen of Atlantis: Bitten

SHIFTS

6 STEPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR MINDSET AND ELEVATE YOUR LEADERSHIP

SAM ADEYEMI

Copyright © 2025 by John Wiley & Sons. All rights reserved, including rights for text and data mining and training of artificial intelligence technologies or similar technologies.

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Cover Design: WileyAuthor Photo: Courtesy of the Author

To all alumni of the Daystar Leadership Academy: Thank you for making small and big SHIFTS wherever you are, transforming our world.

IntroductionWelcome to SHIFTS

It was a sunny afternoon. Our youth event was to start at 2 p.m. To my surprise, heavy rain descended at about half-past one o'clock. I panicked. How would people attend the entertainment event we had spent months preparing? As the leader of our youth group, I was very concerned. It was the first major event for which I had mobilized a large number of young people. We had gone all around our city inviting other young people to the event we'd tagged as The Youth Carnival, promising a day of music, comedy, and a lot more. Now, a disaster was looming. Thankfully, the rain's intensity soon spent itself, and it stopped after about 15 minutes. The clouds cleared, and the sun began to shine again. Within minutes, people began to trickle into the hotel venue. Eventually, the room's capacity was maxed out and we had a very successful event.

In conceiving, planning, and executing the event – which was like nothing I'd ever attempted before – I was testing the principles I had learned from reading The Fourth Dimension by David Yonggi Cho, founder of the largest single congregation in the world.1 In my journey through the book, I discovered that our imagination is so powerful that any picture that is sustained in our mind over time will attract or produce its material equivalent. I was very curious to identify the steps for going from dream to reality.

I had read Cho's book as part of my own personal development plan, a transformative journey that would soon accelerate at a simple dinner with my wife, which we'll discuss further in Chapter 1. Seeing the power of a simple vision come to life filled me with awe, and ingrained in me the idea that small, intentional shifts in the way we choose to perceive our lives and the world around us can have exponential effects. I continued to think, read, discuss, and dream all that I was learning, which eventually led me to formalize the life-changing discoveries I'd made into a set of simple principles I could teach others. That process, which I call SHIFTS, is what this book is about.

You hold in your hand a set of ideas that can transform your mindset and elevate your leadership. Why am I so confident that you will achieve such an ambitious transformation? Because you would not even be reading this book if you did not already hold in your heart a desire to accomplish bigger and bolder things!

Today we live in a rapidly changing global landscape in which leaders everywhere must elevate their leadership mindset in order to evolve and succeed. This requires flexibility, adaptability, foresight, and dedication. Being a transformative and open-minded leader in the 21st century is not just a role. It is a mindset – one that embraces innovation, collaboration, and growth. These leadership qualities are essential for driving change, inspiring teams, and navigating the ever-changing landscape.

In this book, you will learn about the following:

Developing self-leadership to gain intrinsic motivations, beneficial habits, and creativity so you can practice what you preach

Being mindful of and working toward eliminating age and culture gaps, which can negatively affect the productivity and morale of any team

Leading from around the corner or around the world by making your presence felt, hiring for talent, and working transparency into the process

On the following pages, I provide you with a step-by-step blueprint to become a transformational leader who inspires and motivates others, and gets the best out of yourself. You will learn about your conscious and subconscious mind's ability to access your thoughts and ideas to create a great variety of positive mind shifts. The mind shifts are represented in each chapter using the common thread from the Six Steps to Transform Your Mindset and Elevate Your Leadership model:

See:

You are the sum of what you repeatedly See.

Hear:

You are the sum of what you repeatedly Hear.

Insight:

Your insights and feelings anchor your beliefs about yourself and the world.

Formulate:

Your belief system Formulates your decisions and creates habits.

Transform:

Your decisions Transform your actions for making those big, bold moves!

Succeed:

Your actions lead to Success.

SHIFTS is an easy-to-remember acronym that will help you increase the impact of your leadership as you apply the steps at personal, organizational, national, and global levels. This is a repeatable and proven process for transforming your life. All of these steps together equal success. Each step is a building block that ultimately determines who you become as a leader. As you work toward becoming a transformational leader, you can guide others through the process alongside you. This is leadership.

What's to Come

In each chapter, I break down the Six Steps of Transformational Leadership into detail:

In

Chapter 1

I define what each step of the SHIFTS acronym is and the power collective steps can offer to you and your transformative leadership.

Chapter 2

covers the concept that transformative leadership begins with self-leadership, specifically by taking control of what you allow yourself to See and Hear. This chapter will guide you through the first steps of applying the six-step model on a personal level.

Chapter 3

focuses on the concepts of acquiring Insight and Formulating new ideas and innovative approaches, including the first steps for applying six steps to your teams.

Chapter 4

wraps up the acronym by discussing the power this model gives us to Transform our lives and organizations before moving on to discuss the importance of ongoing commitment to future Success.

Chapter 5

returns to an individual level to further explore the ways we can facilitate deep, lasting personal SHIFTS, specifically with regard to the values we select, embrace, and champion to others. It then discusses the ways that an organization's value system stems from the values of the individuals who comprise it, and it hones in on the importance of intentionally cultivating your culture's values, rather than letting them develop by accident.

Chapter 6

returns to a wider view, focusing on developing a leadership style that works in multigenerational teams who, in the world of remote work, are often working across large physical distances in addition to the generational gaps that exist in the modern workplace.

Chapter 7

takes an even larger view, zooming out to look at the SHIFTS that are possible at the national and even global levels. The world is large, but it has become a much smaller place now that distances are closed by technology. As a global leader, you need cultural agility and humility to relate across cultures.

The Conclusion summarizes the SHIFTS approach, pointing readers to examples of successful SHIFTS from my own life and the lives of others and encouraging them to continue to iterate the SHIFTS process over and over, always moving their life toward the one they've dreamed for themselves.

Each chapter includes useful exercises, stumbling blocks to watch out for, and a summary of key takeaways you can refer back to later. By the time you finish reading this book, you will truly see the power you can have in your own life, and in the lives of others. Transforming your mind set and elevating your leadership ultimately boil down to the fact that you are in control of making the changes you wish to see in the world, starting with yourself.

Achieving a SHIFTS mindset will take time, commitment, and devotion to build a better, strength-based organization. I can say without hesitation that I have lived and taught this formula successfully worldwide – from Dubai to Denver, Morocco to Maine. If you're reading this book, I know that you're up for the challenge. Using the SHIFTS process, you'll begin developing leadership at every level, just a little bit faster. Plus, you'll be raising your existing leadership teammates to higher levels of performance and productivity. In today's world, the term leader has more influence and relevance than ever, especially in a multicultural, multigenerational workplace. Yes, sometimes we are called on to do more with less. But often we build more and thrive as a result.

The key is to start where you are. If encouragement is needed, give it. If people are confused, communicate with them. When you see employees disengaged, engage them. It's my desire that the SHIFTS model will be your step-by-step field guide to a more enthusiastic, creative, and agile workplace. Are you with me?

It is my vision for this book to inspire the next generation of transformative leaders who are not just ready but are excited to embark on a journey of personal discovery toward endless possibility. Leaders like you can light the way forward by being beacons of optimism, hope, values, and inspiration. Your achievements today pave the way for tomorrow, a path built on bold and innovative ideas, steadfast optimism, and a resolute commitment to building a world in which all people of all nations can thrive. Say goodbye right now to scarcity thinking. With this book, the best is yet to come. I am by your side.

–Sam Adeyemi

Note

1

. Cho, Y. D. (1979).

The Fourth Dimension

. Bridge Logos Publishers.

SHIFT image

Chapter 1The Power of SHIFTS

The Power of Mindset Shifts

Life has only one certainty: Things are going to change. In a world that shifts constantly beneath your feet, the ability to shift your mindset and adapt might be the most powerful tool you possess. This book is about more than just changing how you think – it's about transforming your entire approach to life, leadership, and success. By making shifts in both your conscious and subconscious mind, you can unlock new possibilities and experience profound change, empowering yourself to lead a life of purpose and guide others toward positive transformation.

Leadership demands more than just strategic vision; it requires the ability to embrace and create change within individuals and organizations. The leverage that comes from shifting mindsets is unmatched, enabling leaders to catalyze meaningful progress in their teams, companies, and communities. This pivotal moment, full of unprecedented challenges and opportunities, is the ideal time for experiencing and leading positive shifts that can reshape our families, organizations, and nations.

Prepare yourself for a journey of transformation, where each chapter will guide you through practical steps to achieve these powerful shifts. The strategies and insights shared in this book are not theoretical; they are grounded in real-world experiences and extensive research. Join me on this journey, where you will transform your own mindset and develop the tools to lead others in making life-changing shifts that propel them toward their greatest potential.

If you can create shifts in your mind, not just your conscious mind but also your subconscious mind and heart, you will experience seismic shifts in real life. Then, if you can inspire others to join you in shifting their outlook, you will enable them to create lasting, positive change in their lives, individually and collectively. Shifting mindsets gives leaders leverage. More than ever, this is a time for us to experience positive shifts in our families, organizations, and nations.

Get ready to feel the SHIFTS. I'm not talking about changing the brand products you buy, or taking dance lessons, or waking up each day an hour earlier. I'm speaking about big SHIFTS – the kind you feel when tectonic plates realign and the earth itself moves under your feet. It is my desire that you feel this same sort of energy as you read this book. It is my desire that you will experience SHIFTS as you learn to apply and practice the lessons I provide within these pages. I call them the Six Steps to Transformation. Think of these steps as simple guideposts to direct you and help you to more clearly understand the power of my SHIFTS process model.

SHIFTS is a practical, yet powerful, acronym that includes the following parts: See, Hear, Insight, Formulate, Transform, and Succeed.

In Chapters 2–5, we will delve deeper into this transformative model and learn how to apply each step effectively. But before we dive in, I'd like to share my commitment to this process and what qualifies me to write this book.

This is a book based on evidence, including surveys I've initiated worldwide using qualitative and quantitative results, and by practicing the principles of SHIFTS every day. I built a thriving and profitable leadership organization using these very principles, despite beginning with limited funds and resources. I did this by methodically shifting, one step at a time, elevating my leadership abilities from the ground up. Simply put, think of this process as building blocks – one on top of the other. You add one block at a time, elevating each subsequent block higher and higher. The SHIFTS method uses the same concept: common sense and skill development, applying competency after competency, all resulting in a level of leadership and confidence you perhaps didn't imagine possible.

My beginnings were extremely humble. But here's a solid first lesson – humility is a good thing. It's often part of a recipe for ongoing success. Humility keeps your actions in balance and checks your ego at the door. However, none of what I endured really matters now. You start where you are. We all start where we are. No matter your starting line, your history does not have to predict your future; by making critical SHIFTS, you can envision and begin living a new tomorrow. This is called visioning, which is part of SHIFTS (the See and Hear principles), and there are many ways to envision new possibilities. Later in this chapter, we'll see some examples.

First, let's look at today. Today I own and operate numerous businesses, employ hundreds of people, have proudly graduated more than 52,000 individuals from the Daystar Leadership Academy I started, and minister to over 40,000 people onsite and online weekly at the church we founded. I've had the privilege to consult and coach with world leaders, accrue millions of social media followers, earn a respected place in high-profile publications like FORBES and others as a regular contributor and columnist, appear on well-known podcasts, and I am honored to be a sought-after keynote speaker at international conferences.

Here is something I want you to know and relate to with confidence. You and I are very similar, even though we each have our own unique story. It is this commonality of the human spirit and love as a business strategy that binds us together, rather than pulls us apart.

How did I accomplish all that? Let's start by taking our first look at SHIFTS.

Introduction to SHIFTS: Six Steps to Transformation

In the rapidly evolving landscape of leadership, the ability to adapt and inspire change has never been more crucial. At the heart of this adaptability lies the power of SHIFTS – a transformative model designed to elevate leaders by reshaping their mindset and tactics. SHIFTS is more than just an acronym; it is a guiding framework that leads to profound personal and organizational transformation.

As mentioned, SHIFTS stands for See, Hear, Insight, Formulate, Transform, Succeed – each step representing a critical phase in the journey of leadership development:

See:

The first step involves cultivating the vision to recognize opportunities and challenges in your environment. Great leaders must be able to see beyond the obvious, identifying patterns and potential that others might miss.

Hear:

Listening is the foundation of understanding. Effective leaders must not only listen to what is being said but also develop the ability to catch what remains unsaid – the underlying concerns, motivations, and aspirations of their teams and stakeholders.

Insight:

Insight comes from synthesizing what you've seen and heard. It's about connecting distant dots, understanding unspoken implications, and gaining a clear perspective that informs decision-making.

Formulate:

Armed with insight, the next step is to formulate strategies and plans that are both innovative and practical. This stage requires creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to translate vision into actionable steps.

Transform:

Transformation is where vision meets action. This step involves implementing the strategies, driving change, and ensuring that the shift from plan to practice is smooth and effective.

Succeed:

The final step is achieving success – not just in terms of outcomes but also in fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability. Success here is measured by the ability to sustain positive change and inspire ongoing growth.

The SHIFTS model is not just a basic checklist or a series of steps; it is a mindset – a way of approaching leadership that integrates vision, understanding, and action. By internalizing these principles, leaders can make the necessary mental shifts that lead to tangible success. Each component of SHIFTS builds on the last, creating a comprehensive approach to leadership that is dynamic, responsive, and forward-thinking.

In leadership, success is often determined by the ability to adapt and evolve in response to new challenges. The SHIFTS model provides a structured framework without sacrificing the flexibility that enables leaders to navigate change effectively. By adopting this mindset, you are not only preparing yourself to lead through transformation but also empowering those around you to achieve their fullest potential.

Leadership success is rooted in the ability to inspire and enact change. SHIFTS equips you with the tools and mindset necessary to do just that – leading with clarity, insight, and purpose. As you progress through this book, you will learn how to apply each step of the SHIFTS model, transforming not only your leadership style but also the impact you have on those you lead. Embrace these shifts and watch as they propel you and your organization toward unprecedented success.

 The Window Table

One evening, many years ago, I took my beautiful wife, Nike, out to dinner at a restaurant near our home in Lagos, Nigeria. It wasn't a high-class restaurant. Our income wasn't much at that time, so we went for what was affordable. It was dark outside, and you could see the headlights of cars moving up and down the street. The restaurant was located on a high street, and we could see different colors of light from billboards. Suddenly, I saw an opportunity and grabbed it. It was an opportunity to sell Nike a vision.

We were seated at a table by a window. I told her to look outside. Then I asked her to close her eyes and to forget we were in Lagos. I told her to imagine that we were in New York or some other famous city. There and then, I made her a promise that I would take her all over the world and we would eat at nice restaurants. To this day, each time we visit a new city and happen to eat in a restaurant, I remember that night in Lagos. The vision has become our reality. We became the people in the vision. We shifted our minds first, and then the SHIFTS happened in our lives later.

Everything you'll read in this book stems from that one simple moment of clarity, when Nike and I realized that we could close our eyes to the circumstances around us, envision the world we wanted to inhabit, and begin the process of incremental change that becomes its own feedback loop, leading inevitably to the life you've envisioned.

I know that you have a vision for your life, and I know that you can become the leader you've always dreamed of being. Those visions can become very powerful, as we'll see in some of the remarkable stories I'll share throughout later chapters. And you and I both have the drive to succeed, but first we have to tap into our inner being. Yes, there will be challenges along the way and stumbling blocks. I had many of them in my youth growing up in Africa. All of my original plans fell apart early in life, but I learned how to SHIFT my thinking, and I'm sharing it all here in this book so that you can do it, too.

As I said previously, it doesn't matter where you're starting from. Nike and I began our SHIFT at a simple window side table in Lagos, Nigeria. Likewise, your location will not determine your success. Only you determine how high you can soar and what you can overcome. I believe that the stories I share in this book can help you to shift your thinking and literally transform your life. I'll be with you every step of the way, guiding you through the practical, real-world techniques and tools in this book.

In this book, I will not only be sharing my own personal stories of inner growth and extraordinary transformation but I'll also be sharing firsthand real-world stories from those I've coached or mentored using this life-changing process. I've included my own leadership growth, which highlights the trials and tribulations of being a global business leader. So get ready to shift from a “Why me?” mentality to “Why not me?” consciousness. This book will help you to stop asking, “Why do things never work out for me?” I understand. There was a time when I felt that certain blessings would never be mine, and although I lived with gratitude for what I did have, I desired more for my life.

 Out of College and My Future Came to a Dead Halt

I was fresh out of college when I experienced one of the most depressing episodes of my life. I graduated as a civil engineer, and the plan had always been that I would work at my father's construction company. I suppose the lesson here is that not all your plans work out as you think they will. Sometimes there's a larger plan, one with bigger ideas for you than you dreamed for yourself. Well, on graduation, my plan evaporated into thin air as my father's business closed. Just like that – no job! That incident dealt such an emotional blow to my soul, and I was flooded with such despair. I felt trapped and stuck! I was jobless for two years, certain my future – out of my control – had gone from bright to gloomy in an instant.

But eventually, instead of beating the drum of discontent about how terrible the situation was, I decided to put my energy and resources into reading and learning, just like you're doing now. I stayed open to the idea that there was a path forward to a better future, and I determined that I would discover it and investigate it. But once I knew what it was, what principles would I need to apply? I wasn't sure, but I knew there must be something. In other words, I was searching for the formula to a better life. The exciting thing is that the SHIFTS Six Steps to Transformation process in this book can be adapted into a perfect formula for your life, too.