In recognition that Nigeria’s economy has great potential for growth year-on-year, operators in the private sector, particularly banks have no choice but to get stronger that what they are today, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, immediate past group managing director/CEO, Access Bank plc has said.
In considering growth, whether organic or inorganic, Aig-Imoukhuede believes that companies should always guide their value territory –which is their escape velocity.
“The trick is that don’t let you competitors know about your strategies. Whether you are leading an organisation like bank, country or institution, two things are certain. One is the influence and the second is the accomplishment,” Aig-Imoukhuede added.
Aig-Imoukhuede, who spoke in Lagos at the KPMG alumni cocktail with the theme “leadership, growth, and succession” noted that Nigerian banks must make one admission that their success strengths are as much as democracy.
He further told participants at the cocktail that what defines leadership whether as an individual or institution is the knowledge and timing “in such a manner that you achieve escape velocity.
The forum offers former KPMG people the opportunity to stay in touch with the organisation, reconnect with their former colleagues and make valuable business contacts. People who leave KPMG to advance their careers, or for other reasons, are never truly ‘lost’ to KPMG. Most value the time they spent with the firm; the friends they made; the things they learnt and the opportunities it provided to them.
“Escape velocity is very key to every leader when considering growth. Institutions need to guide their escape velocity or their value territory. When you are visioning, the questions remain what are your anchors. You will not understand the vision if you don’t see the benchmark for which the vision is anchored on. I the case of Access Bank plc, I proved to the world Nigeria can grow an institution without compromising,” he said.
“Leadership is about roles, not just about occupying a position. The greatest leaders are those who understand the ever shifting relationship between the leaders and the followers. The issue of leadership and strategy are very critical in organizational visioning. Leadership is all about roles, not just about occupying a position. In leadership, roles must continuously be changing for organisations to succeed,” Aig-Imoukhuede noted.
By: Iheanyi Nwachukwu
