Mapping for Empowerment: Building Strong Leaders with Geospatial Skills

The Student of the Geographical Association YouthMappers at Fouray Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, hosted a significant event - the OpenStreetMap Training and Leadership Seminar on August 1st, 2023. The seminar focused on the theme 'Mapping for Empowerment: Building Strong Leaders with Geospatial Skills'. Myself (Ibrahim Abdulai Kargbo, Youthmappers Regional Ambassador) and Gibril Ahmed Sesay, a member from OpenStreetMap Sierra Leone had a great session as facilitators of this educational event. Guiding an enthusiastic group of students through the overview of YouthMappers and OpenStreetMap community. Covered Youthmappers background, code of ethics, Everywhere She Maps initiative, and network activities and opportunities. From learning OSM account creation to mastering the ID editor tools for mapping. We also covered leadership fundamentals, effective communication strategies, leadership styles and quotients, and Youthmappers chapter sustainability.

Mapping the Future: OpenStreetMap Essentials

The event took off with an immersive journey into the heart of the OpenStreetMap Community. The exploration of the ID editor tools truly set the stage to an interactive session. The three core tools – Line, Area, and Point – opened a world of possibilities for attendees. Line Tool: This tool is used to map features like rivers, major roads, minor pathways, rails, and canals. Interconnected routes came to life with the Line tool, enabling participants to track transportation networks that connect communities together. Area Tool: Participants used the Area tool to map buildings, parks, lakes, residential houses, school grounds, and water bodies.  Point Tool: The Point tool allowed participants to mark specific landmarks. It allows someone to indicate prominent buildings, parks, filling stations, restaurants, and banks. We took the participant through a hands-on practical on how to use these tools.

Leadership Illuminated: Geospatial Skills and Beyond

The seminar expanded into leadership skills beyond mapping. The discourse transcended disciplines, we delved into leadership styles that have a profound impact in geospatial contexts.

We discussed leadership styles with a significant impact in geospatial contexts, such as transformational leadership: these leaders inspire and motivate by sharing a compelling vision and fostering creativity and innovation. In geospatial initiatives, transformational leaders motivate mappers to think creatively and contribute to community development. Transactional leaders set clear expectations and use incentives to drive mappers towards specific mapping goals. Democratic leaders involve team members in decision-making, valuing their opinions and ideas. In geospatial initiatives, they encourage participatory mapping and actively involve local communities in decision-making, data collection, and analysis. Servant leaders prioritize the needs and growth of their team, aiming to support and empower them. In geospatial projects, servant leaders focus on nurturing mappers' skills and providing mentorship in a supportive environment. Laissez-Faire leaders grant autonomy and foster independence, which may be suitable for experienced mappers working on complex tasks. 

Quotients of Effective Leadership: 

Beyond conventional leadership traits, we delved into Quotients of Effective Leadership dimensions that further enrich effective leadership during the seminar such as Emotional Quotient (EQ): It empowers leaders to understand and manage emotions – a crucial skill for fostering positive relationships and resilience within a team. Physical Quotient (PQ): A focus on physical well-being promotes a healthy work-life balance and sets an example for team members to prioritize their health, enhancing overall team performance. Social Quotient (SQ): SQ emphasizes understanding social dynamics, nurturing teamwork, and promoting a collaborative environment that encourages collective success. Adversity Quotient (AQ): AQ equips leaders to navigate challenges and setbacks with resilience, ensuring teams can weather uncertainties and emerge stronger. Cultural Quotient (CQ): CQ enables leaders to engage effectively across diverse cultural contexts, fostering a global perspective and enriching team interactions.

In building strong leaders with geospatial skills, leadership style and quotients must be considered important.

Navigating Communication Strategies and Sustainability of YouthMappers Chapter

Communication strategies and sustainability of YouthMappers Chapter Leadership were emphasized during the seminar. We emphasized also the important qualities that geospatial leaders need such as vision, communication, decision-making, integrity, empathy, adaptability, and resilience. Regarding communication strategies, we discussed effective channels and means of communication within chapters. We prioritized inclusivity and value every member's voice. Ensuring YouthMappers chapter sustainability, Leadership transition and inclusiveness are key, preserving the legacy of empowerment. 

A Melody of Interaction

Interactive discussions resounded, transforming the seminar into a dynamic platform of shared growth and exploration. The seminar was full of ideas, questions, and contributions, Ideas flowed freely, questions sparked meaningful conversations, and contributions painted a clear picture of showcasing collaborative excellence.

A Heartfelt Gratitude

Thank you to everyone for their dedication and enthusiasm, contributing to the seminar's success. Special thanks to participants from Central University Sierra Leone who joined us at Fouray Bay College, USL. Special recognition to the OSM Team Sierra Leone for their unwavering support. Applause for the meticulous planning and dedication of the Student's Geographical Association YouthMappers, who organized the event's agenda. Gratitude to YouthMappers for their ongoing support through YouthMappers Regional Ambassador, Ibrahim Abdulai Kargbo. 

Geospatial leaders of tomorrow are now armed with more than just mapping tools; they possess the acumen of leadership. These leaders are poised to shape a future where geospatial expertise and leadership converge, creating a world where maps are not just lines and points, but tools that empower and unite communities.

About the Author

Ibrahim Abdulai Kargbo is a graduate from Central University Sierra Leone, earning a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Business Administration and Management. With a passion for geospatial data and mapping, Ibrahim actively participated in various mapping projects. Presently, Ibrahim is serving as Youthmappers Regional Ambassador. He is a 2023 YouthMappers Leadership Fellow. He served as the chapter president of Central University YouthMappers, Sierra Leone from 2021-2022. Notably, in 2021, he contributed to the Mapping Power campaign in Sierra Leone. In 2022, he played a vital role in mapping financial institutions and learning facilities in the Mile 91 community. During his undergraduate studies, Ibrahim served as the President of the Creative Young Programmers' Association and as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Central University Students' Union Government. Ibrahim is name among the 50 Most Influential Students awards in Sierra Leone,2022. Currently, Ibrahim is a Research and Teaching Assistant at Central University Sierra Leone, contributing to research endeavors and supporting students' learning.