International Institute For Global Leadership
Issue #290 *February 2026
www.global-leadership.com
Asheville, NC USA
Guest Editorial
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Mduduzi Adrian Mirimi (South Africa/Poland)
mirimiadrian@gmail.com
Below are some ideas from the book that are very useful in everyday life and also help create a better and more peaceful society:
In daily life, avoiding arguments helps maintain harmony in relationships with family, friends, and classmates. Disagreements are natural, but how they are handled makes a big difference. Choosing understanding over pride reduces stress and builds trust.
Not telling people they are wrong directly helps keep conversations respectful. People are more open to new ideas when they do not feel attacked. This leads to better communication and fewer conflicts.
Asking questions instead of giving orders improves cooperation. This is useful in group work, leadership roles, and even friendships. When people feel involved, they are more motivated and responsible.
Remembering names helps create friendly and welcoming interactions. This small habit makes people feel seen and valued, which strengthens social bonds.
Talking in terms of other people’s interests improves understanding and empathy. It encourages listening and helps build meaningful relationships. This principle is useful in many situations, including teamwork, problem-solving, and helping others.
Admitting mistakes quickly builds trust and honesty. It shows maturity and responsibility. In the wider world, this principle encourages accountability and reduces unnecessary conflict.
Giving sincere appreciation spreads positivity. People who feel appreciated are more confident and motivated, and they are more likely to treat others kindly in return. This creates a positive cycle that benefits society as a whole.
Occasionally, these ideas also apply in more specific areas such as studies or work. For example, admitting mistakes and avoiding arguments can help reduce stress in demanding situations, such as academic work or decision-making environments.
Several quotes from the book stood out to me because of their simplicity and truth.
“You can’t win an argument.”
This quote clearly expresses one of the main lessons of the book. It reminds us that protecting relationships is more important than winning debates.
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain, and most fools do.”
This quote stood out because it highlights how easy criticism is and how damaging it can be. It encouraged me to think before criticizing others.
“Talk to someone about themselves and they’ll listen for hours.”
This statement shows the importance of listening and genuine interest in others. It explains why people connect more easily when they feel heard.
These quotes are memorable and easy to apply in real life, which makes them especially powerful.
(Mduduzi is a Level One Student and the Creative Director for the Planetary Transformational Project ).
What Others Are Saying
Ola Olamakinde (Nigeria)
Ola.Olamakinde@gmail.com
Why IIGL?
I stumbled on International Institute for Global Leadership (IIGL) sometime in October 2014 and since then till date, it’s been a wonderful experience. The curriculum of the Institute is a great masterpiece of nurturing souls for lives of service for impact, with the pure motive of making the environment a more dignifying place. A tuition-free Institute that it is, provides the golden opportunity for anyone to be immensely equipped with the mindset of a-better-self-for-a-better-world. I recommend IIGL to everyone that is trying to understand their role in this world, and to everyone interested in to fine-tuning theirs.
(Ola Olamakinde is an IIGL Graduate and Board Member).
What our Students are Reading
Thinking Fast and Slow ($8.75)
Engaging the reader in a lively conversation about how we think, Kahneman reveals where we can and cannot trust our intuitions and how we can tap into the benefits of slow thinking. He offers practical and enlightening insights into how choices are made in both our business and our personal lives and how we can use different techniques to guard against the mental glitches that often get us into trouble. Topping bestseller lists for almost ten years, Thinking, Fast and Slow is a contemporary classic, an essential book that has changed the lives of millions of readers.
Students/Graduates In Action
IIGL Graduates Start New Initiatives in 2026!
Recently IIGL Graduates and Board Members Anastasia Elebiju (Nigeria)anastasiaelebiju@gmail.com and Okot Stephen (Uganda) Stephen0kot79@gmail.com both started new initiatives! Anastasia began “Children Rise, Adults Thrive.” Check out: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585861230305. Check out Okot Stephen, initiative “Generations Transcend Impact” at gtiuganda.org for more information. Congratulations and Best Wishes to both of you!
Valuable Resources for Personal and Planetary Transformation
HIVE Africa
Hiveafrica.org
“Since 2014, we’ve hosted 36 major Hive events in the USA, Germany, Canada, Rwanda, Romania, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Mexico, India, and Pakistan. Hive alumni become part of a global community of purpose-driven CEOs, founders, and innovators working together on creating a better world while supporting each other in their personal and professional growth. Over 4,600 leaders from 130 countries are part of the Hive community globally. Hive helps entrepreneurs transform their lives by transforming the people in their lives though global events, local gatherings, and digital experiences.”
News
2026 Annual IIGL Meeting Date Set
The IIGL Board of Directors recently set the Annual Meeting date for May 16, 2026 on Zoom. The meeting is open to all active students, graduates and financial contributors. More details will be shared in the next few months.
Help IIGL Recruit New Students!
Feel free to share this newsletter or just this poster with your friends, family, co-workers and colleagues to help IIGL continue to grow and flourish globally! Thank you to those who have referred others!
IIGL Book Sales Continue…
The IIGL Board of Directors shared that the IIGL book, “Creating Your Path Through Leadership” book sales continue to provide a Royalty payment to IIGL each month. It has also helped new potential donors understand more about IIGL! The book is available both on Kindle and in Paperback on Amazon.com! Check it out! Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1…
Meet Our New Students
We had 3 new students this month.
Nancy Chebet (Kenya)
My interest in cosmetology and hair began to develop when I was around ten years old. I have always been in love with hair and makeup, and when I was ten I was finally old enough my stepmother brought me to the shop for the first time, and from that day forward at ten years old, I knew that this was my dream. Although I knew I loved hair and makeup, I knew that I had grown up wanting to be a teacher. Being a teacher is what my grandmother did, what seemed like the perfect occupation to pursue, something to go to college for, and the more stable and reliable option. Yet the more I envisioned myself as a teacher and tried to let go of my perfect dream, the more I realized teaching was not what I wanted.
Delphine Mutuyimana (Rwanda)
I am a committed public servant and postgraduate student with a strong passion for institutional development, ethical leadership, and socio-economic transformation. I currently serve as a Customs Officer at the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), stationed at Gikondo Customs Operations, where I am actively involved in trade facilitation, revenue protection, and the enforcement of customs laws and procedures. This role has provided me with hands-on experience in customs operations, compliance, risk management, and stakeholder coordination within a highly regulated and performance-driven environment.
Mohammed Abdalkrieem Saeed Adam (Sudan)
I am 31-year-old I’m Sudanese citizen currently I am living in Morocco and I’m refugee My journey has been shaped by resilience, cultural diversity, and a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals within my community. As someone who has experienced displacement and seen the challenges faced by Sudanese migrants and refugees, I have developed a strong sense of responsibility toward helping others overcome the difficulties that come with rebuilding a life in a new country.
To view complete profiles, Click Here
Student Progress
We had 8 students from 6 countries complete a total of 11 books in January. These students were from Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
Nancy Chebet (Kenya)
* As a Man Thinketh
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Francis Maundu (Kenya)
*Failing Forward
Nadia Echchikhi (Morocco)
* Goal Mapping
Delphine Mutuyimana (Rwanda)
* As a Man Thinketh
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Mduduzi Adrian Mirimi (South Africa)
* How to Win Friends and Influence People
Mohammed Adam (Sudan)
* As a Man Thinketh
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Jessie Ngaliwah (Zimbabwe)
* Keys to Success
Stella-filda Nyamande (Zimbabwe)
* How to Win Friends and Influence People
Statistics
New Enrollments
4 enrolled in January
4 enrolled in 2026
Book Assessments
11 in January
11 in 2026
Books Shipped
0 in January
0 in 2026
Cost of Books
$0 in January
$0 in 2026
You Make It Possible
We extend a special thanks to the following individuals and/or organizations who contributed to IIGL last month. Your ongoing support makes this work possible.
Deb Silver (Israel)
Wanda Gail Cambell & Mike Tilley (USA/AL)
Lynne Murguia (USA/AZ) In Blessed Memory
John Hornecker (USA/NC)
Michael Lightweaver (USA/NC)
Judith Royer (USA/SC)
Lynda Eze (USA/TX)
Deb Rosen (USA/WI)
Kathleen Oweegon (USA)
Make A Difference
Dream Team 22
Please join Dream Team 22 as our goal is to have 22 people contributing $22 per month. We understand that money is energy and that to sustain and build IIGL we need a lot of people pouring their energy into this endeavor on a regular basis. We also know that not everyone can afford to commit $22 a month – especially our students, who live in countries with economies in which this amount can be equal to a weeks’ salary. So we are offering two options for those who wish to become a part of the Dream Team. One can commit to a $22 a month contribution or to spending 22 seconds each day holding the vision of IIGL becoming financially sustainable by the end of 2026!
Please join the Dream Team and help us create an energetic foundation to support the transformational work of IIGL! You can really make a difference in the world by making a modest contribution of time or money. To make the $22 a month commitment or a one time donation, click the link below. To become a member of the Dream Team 22 by committing 22 second a day to help us hold the vision, contact Deb for details: drosen2@wi.rr.com
Checks on US banks, payable to the International Institute For Global Leadership, can be mailed to IIGL, 11537 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI 53092 USA. Contributions may also be made by credit card by clicking the link below. Contributions are tax deductible under the 501 (c) 3 tax code of the United States Internal Revenue Service.
To Contribute By Paypal, go to www.paypal.com and make donation to iigl.globalleadership@gmail.com
To Contribute By Credit Card, go to global-leadership.com