Posts

Africa's CEO Succession Crisis

The succession conversation in most African boardrooms is held annually, documented quarterly, and rarely prepared for. However, the actual transition data on the continent reveal that founder-led businesses still dominate private-sector activity in Africa, with many in their first or second generation. The boards governing them are often built around the founder rather than the institution, so much so that when the founder steps back, retires, or dies, the governance architecture often does not survive the handover. I have been here, so I know how it plays out. This is not a theoretical risk; it is an active failure mode across multiple African markets, concentrating economic damage in the worst possible places. Three patterns recur: The board defers succession discussions until the founder is no longer active. The implicit assumption is that succession is a future problem; however, the actual data on health, mortality, and unexpected exits suggest it is a present one. The succession ...
Post a Comment
Read more

My Monday thoughts on Life & Leadership Philosophy

Image
I have been thinking about the concept of the work before the work. Every major thing I have built - the consulting practice, the Africa CEO Roundtable and Conference on Sustainability and Responsibility (The ARCSR), the breakfast meeting - Sustainable Conversations, the CSRFiles publications, and the books I am currently writing- none of them arrived fully formed when I needed them. They were possible because of years of preparation that did not look like preparation at the time. The research done quietly. The relationships tended without an immediate agenda. The craft of facilitation refined across hundreds of rooms and thousands of hours. The intellectual frameworks developed not for a specific client, but because the questions themselves mattered to me. There is a version of ambition that is always in a hurry, always chasing the next opportunity, the next visibility, and the next launch. And I understand it. I have lived it. But the leaders I most respect are the ones who have buil...
Post a Comment
Read more

I am Back!

Hello, my muses, It has been a while since I posted. I am back and better. Stay tuned
Post a Comment
Read more

Seven Reasons To Hire A Consultant

Image
An article by Jake Fox of Whitecap Consulting. From filling a short term staffing gap to strategy re-focus to the implementation of a major programme of organisational structural change, consultants can provide valuable expertise and insights to help companies achieve their goals and execute a strategy. Ini Abimbola But when is the right time to hire a consultant, how do you choose a good consultant, and what on-going steps should you take to ensure you get the best out of a client consultant relationship?  External validation : Consultants will have a broad overview, understanding, and external perspective. A second opinion can provide reassurance prior to making a key business decision. More time and cost effective: A consultant can be tasked to focus on a specific project and see it through on deadline, without distractions and day-to-day pressures. This often makes bringing in a consultant much more time and cost effective than running a project in-house...
1 comment
Read more

Don't Be a Baboon, Let Go of the Salt!

Image
Hello Muses, Lately, I’ve been doing quite a lot of personal counseling sessions with a few mentees and friends going through one form of personal problem or the other, ranging from job losses, financial issues to problems with their spouses and/or children. Most are not at a good place emotionally, spiritually and physically too as some of the issues are beginning to affect their health. As usual I get so emotionally invested in some of these friends and I spend long hours talking, discussing, listening to both spoken and unspoken words just to understand how and where to give help or give counsel. As I sat thinking through some of the issues this evening, I began flipping through several online platforms I normally visit to read up on current issues and trends and I stumbled on a video of an interview that Dave Chappelle had given with Gayle King a few days ago. In that part of the interview, he tried to explain why he had to step away from the spotlight and he used...
5 comments
Read more

Life.........

Image
Hello Muses, Last week ended on a very sad note for me.  We lost one of our support staff, Tope. She was knocked down by a hit and run driver on her way to work on Friday morning.  I recall getting to the office and as usual calling her across the office for my coffee instead of using the intercom. When she didn't respond, I called the Admin Manager and she mentioned she's not been seen that morning and her phone went unanswered. I was a bit upset because my desk hadn't been cleaned as well and I wondered why she was so late to work. I told her to try again and alas, we got the news. She had been rushed to Luth Emergency & Accidents Centre by a LASTMA official. I left the office with my Admin. Manager and we rushed to the hospital. We met with family members and did all we could so she could get attention. Sadly, Tope passed on early hours of Saturday.  I was very stoic when I saw her lying helplessly with the oxygen mask on her face. I took o...
4 comments
Read more

Lessons in Leadership

Image
Hello Muses, Trust you are all doing well.  Lately,  I've been thinking about leadership issues and its attendant effect on those we lead. In particular is the leadership of our nation Nigeria. Looking through my notes from years back, I found this post from Victor Oladokun in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict's resignation from the Papal. I read through it again and thought to share, as they hold true even this day. Do read and let's share our thoughts. 7 Leadership Lessons from Pope Benedict's Resignation in 2013. 1. KNOWING WHEN TO QUIT: There comes a time when every leader has to look him or herself in the mirror and say, “Its time to move on.” There is no indignity to this. Just a recognition that (a) they have fulfilled their roles in the season of time they have occupied their respective positions of influence and (b) it is time to pass the baton on to a new generation that can run with the vision with a new sense of p...
Post a Comment
Read more