Zainab Aderounmu 
We now live in a world no longer divided by borders but by access to information, opportunities and networks. In this new world, your influence isn’t measured by where you are, but how fast you can connect with people across continents and how far your impact can travel.
You would expect that this global interconnection would open up access to all the tools for success, and enable us reach our goals faster, but it has also unlocked new distractions and triggers mental health issues. What is supposed to liberate you can also leave you stuck. Access means nothing if you’re stuck in the noise. That begs the question; how can I leverage globalisation for success and position for global leadership, without getting stuck?
Recently, I anchored Rooms and Roundtables, a convening of young global leaders hosted by Orifunke Lawal, and the prolific speakers opened up my mind to a number of things we might be overlooking as Gen Zs. The first thing is, the world does not begin and end on the internet, or social media, as the case may be. It is a means to an end, not the end itself. Therefore, attempting to keep up with the Joneses may get you stuck faster than it’ll liberate you. That said, here are 4 strategies to help you position for global leadership;
Understand your Purpose and Vision. This is the first step to showing up in a noisy and interconnected world. We often make the mistake of sitting in one position and ‘looking for a purpose’. But, as Oluwatoyin Banjo put it, you find purpose in iteration, not stagnation. What is that nudge in your mind, that one activity you take so much delight in, or that one problem that keeps bugging you? Purpose shows up when you respond to your inner voice. It’s not something you find on the streets of Instagram or in the hollows of comparison. It becomes clear when you apply yourself, serve, and stay true to your hunch.
Document your Journey. Here, social media is a relevant tool to build a digital footprint. This isn’t about showing up perfectly curated; it is evolving in real time. Besides building thought leadership, or an online community, you’ll also be amazed when you see how quickly you’re growing. How many times have you been nostalgic when Facebook brings up your post from 3 years ago? Things like that help you stay grounded. As one of the speakers, Akan Imoh, put it, ‘you’re too broke to be anonymous’. Take pictures, and videos of moments that matter. Don’t be caught in regret when you’re asked to display evidence of your work.
Know your Work People will defer to your expertise, regardless of your age. It means you have to be seasoned in whatever industry you choose to play in. Think about a time when someone had you under a trance because of the depth of knowledge they displayed about a topic. That was how I felt when Tolulope Makinwa spoke about global leadership; it wasn’t just what she said but the level of passion, depth and conviction in her voice. And how do you attain that level of knowledge, by applying and exerting yourself. It’s not enough to read tweets about a topic, but actually doing the research and putting in the work. That leads to the next strategy.
Do Two Levels Above to Get Noticed. Do so much work that it makes no sense if you don’t succeed. This lies in the tenacity and consistency that you approach your work with. This means rising above the noise by consistently exceeding expectations. Oluwatoyin puts it well: “Excellence isn’t perfection; it is stewardship.” It’s the careful management of something entrusted in your care. Pay attention to details, commit to the process, and let your results speak before your resume does.
Finally, global leadership goes beyond visibility, it’s the intersection of your voice, your vision, and the value you offer the world. Globalization may have democratized access, but you must pair it with depth and performance to remain relevant. Start where you are; the world doesn’t reward global dreams built on local neglect.
Zainab ADEROUNMU A. W. is a First Class graduate of English Language and the Overall Best Graduating Student from the Lagos State University, Lagos Nigeria. She’s a professional Master of Ceremonies, known as The Hijabi Compere , a public speaking coach and Communications Professional. She is currently a Youth advisor to the European Union where she doubles as the Spokesperson and Head of Communications & PR for the Youth Sounding Board.