NIGERIA: In a world defined by constant change, leadership demands more than authority or position. It requires reflection, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to people. As opportunities and threats continue to evolve globally, leadership cannot afford to be passive, complacent, arrogant, or distant.
At its core, leadership is often about simplicity: clarity of purpose, discipline in execution, and the courage to lead with authenticity.
Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and a leading African entrepreneur, recently shared reflections on the critical role relationships play in effective leadership. According to him, the success of any leader is deeply connected to the quality of relationships built with teams. Moving beyond command-and-control leadership to one rooted in empathy, trust, and genuine engagement significantly enhances performance and outcomes.
Drawing from his early career, Elumelu recounted working under a supervisor whose leadership style continues to shape his own approach today. The mentor was intentional about building meaningful connections with team members — an approach that inspired commitment not through fear, but through mutual respect.
“He trusted me, and I wanted to repay that trust,” Elumelu recalled. “He invested in me, challenged me, and pushed me beyond what I believed I was ready for.”
Some of those lessons came in unexpected ways. Elumelu shared a personal anecdote about being taken to unfamiliar restaurants as part of informal mentoring moments — including a Japanese restaurant in London where chopsticks, rather than cutlery, were the order of the day. Uncomfortable as those moments were, they carried lessons far deeper than dining etiquette.
“It wasn’t about the food,” he explained. “It was about connection, exposure, and learning beyond the office.”
Those experiences left a lasting impression, reinforcing the importance of intentional engagement outside traditional work settings. Today, Elumelu says he consciously creates opportunities to connect with his teams beyond the workplace, exposing them to broader perspectives and experiences.
For him, leadership is less about authority and more about creating an enabling environment. True leaders remove obstacles, dismantle barriers, and empower people to deliver their best work.
“Leaders don’t just commit to tasks; they commit to people,” he noted.
As the year begins, Elumelu urges leaders to reflect on their approach, emphasizing several guiding principles:
•Leadership is not defined by hierarchy, but by engagement.
•Accessibility and genuine relationships strengthen teams.
•Openness to new ways of doing things is essential for progress.
•Empowering people to take ownership drives results.
•Removing obstacles enables performance.
Ultimately, Elumelu believes that when leaders lead with conviction, build trust, remove roadblocks, and execute with discipline, success becomes intentional rather than accidental.
Tony Elumelu is the Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA). A prominent Nigerian and African entrepreneur, he has invested extensively in African youth across the continent and continues to play a significant role in advancing Africa’s economic development.
