EMERGING Leadership: How to inspire Inclusion for African Female Leaders

Life’s journey is full of blusterous and boisterous moments and it’s the place where our aspirations come true leaving outstanding trails marked by resilient self-discovery, collaboration, and diversity. Whether you are a student navigating the maze of academia, a career professional conquering corporate peaks, or an entrepreneur crafting her empire. All our endeavors require first class competence, excellence and value-based goals, highlighting our unique narratives.

Meet Tolu, the spirited student with dreams as vast as the African horizon. In the University of Ile-Ife, Tolu discovered the power of self-awareness and personal mastery. Using it as a compass, she triumphed through school and excelled in her academics, volunteered in various capacities and participated in mentorship programs. Self-awareness was a skill she honed which helped Tolu realize that understanding her strengths, passions, and even the quirks that made her unique, empowered her to navigate challenges with resilience and authenticity. According to a study, 80% of students who actively engage in self-awareness practices show improved academic performance. Tolu’s journey speaks volumes about the impact of self-awareness in shaping future leaders.

Take a moment to embrace the essence of knowing yourself. What makes you tick? What sets your soul on fire? The pursuit of self-awareness is not a solitary journey but a celebration of the extraordinary design that is you.

Now, imagine Oge, the seasoned career professional in Lagos donning her corporate armor, conquering boardrooms with a dazzling smile and a heart full of empathy and team work. Oge understood that in the symphony of success, collaboration is a sweet melody that harmonizes efforts of diverse talents into a masterpiece. With acronyms, such as KPIs (key performance indicators), and the occasional office drama, Oge’s approach was simple—turning colleagues into collaborators. She realized that bringing together various teams, each contributing their unique bits, accelerated the growth, increased deliverables and ensured the overall performance of the teams in the organization.

A Business Review reports that companies who promote collaborative working
environments are five times as likely to be high-performing and better equipped to innovate and achieve higher revenue. Oge’s collaborative spirit showcases the power of collective success resulting from individuals’ contribution with threads of diversity. In our personal and professional arenas, foster collaboration like a sisterhood that amplifies each other’s strengths. A little laughter, shared insights, and the occasional coffee/tea break might just be the secret sauce to a harmonious journey.

Zara, the entrepreneurial maestro in Kano, writing her own business narrative. Zara’s empire-building journey revealed that, she recognized the strength in her vulnerability, the power in her uniqueness, and the brilliance in seeking allies. A survey reported that diverse teams are 35% more likely to outperform their counterparts. Zara’s entrepreneurial flair emphasizes the impact of inclusive leadership. In her world, she created a space where everyone felt heard, valued, and inspired. She understood that inspiring inclusion is not just about inviting others to the table but ensuring everyone has a voice in the conversation.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a career professional, or a student finding her way, let’s create spaces where every voice is a melody, contributing to the symphony of success. In the grand skim of things as female leaders, our stories form a map guiding the way for future generations. As you elevate, evaluate and learn through different levels of self-awareness, collaboration, and inclusion, share your stories, celebrate your achievements, and amplify the voices of those around us.

So, ladies, as you embark on your leadership journey, ask yourself: How will your story inspire others’ success? What harmonies will you create in your leadership? Inclusion isn’t just a goal; it’s a journey, and the question remains—how will you embark on this transformative voyage of leadership that celebrates the brilliance of diversity?