Empathy and Vision in Leadership: Key Lessons for Emerging Leaders

“…I am here to work, and I mean that. Rest assured, I will roll up my sleeves and join you in the trenches to translate those pipelines into live transactions, ensuring your work is recognised.”

These were his first words to our team of over a hundred. He was tall and well-built, with a commanding presence and a voice that demanded attention. He spoke with passion. We all stared back, wondering if we had been sent another ‘Pharoah’ leader who would use strict measures to achieve his targets.

This had become the norm for every leader sent to lead our zone. They focused more on exceeding their assigned KPIs to earn a full productivity bonus and never cared about the team that helped them achieve those targets. We were frequently told to wait for our turn—“monkey dey work, bamboo dey chop” was the best way to describe the leadership we had experienced.

His loud voice shook me out of my temporary reverie, “…I am not here to seek another promotion; my next office will be by appointment and maybe good relations, so we are in this together…”

After his speech, he shook hands with as many of us as were open to socialising and asked our names. “Oga A,” as we came to call him, was visionary, empathetic, and friendly. He brought his words to life as he worked in the trenches with us. He helped the most timid of us build confidence and bring in business we never thought possible. We grew from mediocre teams to winning teams. As our self-confidence grew, so did our business, and our profitability soared.

He invested in knowing us beyond our names; he knew our individual stories and the challenges that transcend work. His focus on building the team and improving the staff was rewarded with commitment, which naturally translated to increased business retention and wins.

Another boss who impacted my life was Mr. O. His philosophy was simple: “to make the vision plain and simple”, repeating it until we all could see it clearly. He believed that people could only reproduce a future they could visualise. He always emphasised the importance of surrounding oneself with authentic people and being vulnerable, letting the team know that while not every step was figured out, the destination was clear.

Mr. O championed so many innovative ideas and visions, and we were all proud to be flag bearers of his vision. He worked hard but played harder; there was never a dull moment with him. Under his leadership, we were not afraid to fail because it was our learning board. He constantly challenged us to think critically and adopt an innovative approach to problem-solving. A favourite line I imbibed was, “Let’s do the work and leave the politics to the politicians.” He understood boardroom politics and knew how to stay ahead without getting entrenched in it.

These men shaped my view of leadership and the concept of work and made an impression that would last a lifetime. This perspective still guides my daily interactions with colleagues, bosses, and external stakeholders, as well as in building teams. It also serves as a reminder that character, excellent work and the ability to stay innovative are priceless currencies in the workplace. They were men of faith, and both embodied the scripture, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (Colossians 3:23), which is now my guiding principle.

I view leadership as a:

1. A higher calling to serve.
2. Valuing, honouring, and seeking the well-being of the team I have been called to serve.
3. Ensuring maximum value, productivity, and innovation in every assignment.
4. Embodying work as service unto God.

What are your views on leadership? Who has been the greatest influence in your work or business journey?

We would love to hear your thoughts and comments.