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What does it look like to lead with nothing to hide, nothing to prove, and nothing to lose?
In this episode of First & Focused, Mark Greaves sits down with Dr. Dan Owolabi, founding CEO of Branches Worldwide, a global leadership development organization that has equipped executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners across 35 countries to build companies that transform their communities.
Dan's leadership journey is anything but ordinary. From playing college basketball, to becoming a pastor, to earning a Ph.D. in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary, Dan has spent his life investing in people and developing leaders.
Now, through Branches Worldwide, he is helping leaders around the world pursue authentic leadership and build organizations that make an impact far beyond their bottom line.
Dan shares the story of coming to Christ, the leadership lessons he learned during his decade as a pastor, and how those experiences ultimately led him into global leadership development.
Mark and Dan also unpack the story behind Branches, the vision that started with an ambitious goal of developing 30 leaders in 30 countries over 30 years, and the ways God has continued to provide signs along the way that Dan is on the right track.
They dive into Dan's book Authentic Leadership and one of its central questions: How many leaders are actually leading from authenticity, rather than fear, ego, or the need to prove themselves?
Despite living in a smaller Ohio community, Dan's influence now reaches leaders around the world. The conversation explores how he stays focused amid constant ideas and opportunities, how he leads himself, and how he protects his marriage and family while pursuing a global calling.
This is a conversation about authentic leadership, investing in people, following God's direction, and having the courage to lead without fear.
In This Episode
- Dan's college basketball career—and whether he can still dunk
- His journey to faith in Christ
- A decade of lessons learned as a pastor
- How Branches Worldwide came to life
- The vision behind developing leaders around the world
- What it means to lead with “nothing to hide, nothing to prove, and nothing to lose”
- Authentic leadership versus fear, ego, and insecurity
- How God has confirmed Dan's calling along the way
- Leading globally while living in a small Ohio community
- How Dan stays focused when new ideas and opportunities constantly arise
- Protecting marriage and family while pursuing a global mission
- Integrating faith into leadership and work
To connect with Dr. Dan Owolabi: https://www.dan-owolabi.com/
To buy the book “Authentic Leadership”: https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Leadership-Lead-Nothing-Prove/dp/1735047309/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0
To connect with Mark Greaves: www.markgreaves.com