Leverage: The Hidden Force Behind Extraordinary Success

Leverage: The Hidden Force Behind Extraordinary Success

By: Kuti Solomon Suleman 

In a world that often celebrates hard work and intelligence as the ultimate keys to success, renowned minister and teacher, Pastor Emmanuel Iren, believes there is an even more powerful factor that determines how far a person can go in life.

According to him, the greatest secret to success is not merely hard work or smart work, but leverage.

Drawing inspiration from the famous words of Greek mathematician Archimedes, who once declared, "Give me a place to stand and a lever long enough, and I shall move the earth," Pastor Iren argues that access, relationships, and strategic positioning often create opportunities that effort alone cannot provide.

To illustrate his point, he presents a simple scenario: two equally qualified individuals apply for the same job. Both possess similar talents, education, and social skills. However, one of them has a personal connection to a member of the company's board of directors.

The outcome, he suggests, is often predictable.

"The person with leverage is more likely to secure the opportunity," he explains, noting that while many may describe such situations as nepotism, they remain a practical reality in many societies.

Pastor Iren further points to global wealth patterns as evidence that leverage plays a significant role in success. He notes that a considerable number of America's billionaires come from families that have maintained wealth across generations, highlighting how networks, inheritance, and access often influence economic outcomes.

This reality, he argues, demonstrates that academic qualifications and technical competence alone do not automatically guarantee entry into elite circles of influence and wealth.

Instead, he encourages individuals to pursue what he calls "proximity to greatness."

Drawing from biblical examples, Pastor Iren observes that many transformative moments in Scripture occurred when ordinary individuals were brought into close contact with influential people and given opportunities to provide value.

He cites the story of Joseph, whose ability to interpret Pharaoh's dreams elevated him from prison to the palace. While acknowledging that not everyone possesses supernatural gifts, he emphasizes that valuable skills—whether administrative, technical, creative, or managerial—can serve as modern-day equivalents of Joseph's gift.

A historical example he highlights is that of industrialist Andrew Carnegie. Before becoming one of the wealthiest men in American history, Carnegie worked as a telegraph operator. His excellence in that role attracted the attention of Thomas A. Scott, a powerful railroad executive who became a mentor and source of opportunity.

Through Scott's guidance and trust, Carnegie gained exposure to management, finance, and large-scale industrial operations. Those experiences and relationships later became the foundation upon which he built his vast business empire.

For Pastor Iren, Carnegie's journey underscores an important lesson: leverage often emerges when competence meets opportunity.

He also challenges the common tendency of people seeking help from successful individuals through constant requests and appeals. Rather than approaching influential people with a mindset of dependency, he advocates offering solutions.

"Many successful people have more vision than they have capacity," he explains. "Their responsibilities are enormous, and they are constantly looking for trustworthy individuals who can help lighten their burdens."

According to him, the most effective way to gain access to influential people is by becoming valuable to them. Whether through strategic thinking, administrative support, innovation, or problem-solving, individuals who make the work of great leaders easier often earn trust, opportunities, and life-changing mentorship.

This, he says, creates a mutually beneficial relationship. The aspiring individual contributes value, while the established leader opens doors, shares opportunities, and accelerates growth.

Ultimately, Pastor Iren's message is clear: success is not solely about working harder than everyone else. It is about positioning oneself where value meets opportunity, developing skills that solve real problems, and cultivating relationships that provide leverage.

In a competitive world, the ability to create value for influential people may be the difference between struggling for opportunities and being invited into them.