“Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” — African proverb
Last week, we explored global CEOs and how their leadership styles raised the age-old question: Is it better to be feared or respected? This week, we turned the lens homeward. African CEOs lead in some of the most challenging business environments in the world—markets shaped by volatility, infrastructure gaps, regulation, and intense public scrutiny. In such settings, the temptation to rule by fear is strong. Yet, some of the continent’s most influential leaders demonstrate that respect, grounded in integrity and empathy, creates a more enduring legacy.
Respect in action: African CEO stories
Lunga Siyo – Telkom South Africa
Lunga Siyo, CEO of Telkom Consumer & Small Business in South Africa, is known for building what staff call a “happy culture”. He instituted “Yep Talks”—casual, open sessions where employees across levels share achievements, frustrations, and ideas. By flattening hierarchy and amplifying junior voices, Siyo models a leadership style that dignifies staff. His emphasis on empathy and resource support, even while demanding results, has created a culture where employees work harder not out of fear of punishment but out of respect for his fairness.
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Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede – Access Bank, Nigeria
When Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede became Group Managing Director of Access Bank in 2002, it was a small player in Nigeria’s crowded financial sector. Under his leadership, the bank grew into one of the country’s top-tier institutions. He chronicled this journey in his memoir Leaving the Tarmac, where he candidly admits early mistakes and misjudgments. By showing humility, learning from setbacks, and surrounding himself with people empowered to challenge him, Aig-Imoukhuede built trust both within his team and among investors. Beyond banking, his pivot to philanthropy and governance reform further deepened his reputation as a leader respected for vision and integrity, not fear.
Strive Masiyiwa – Econet, Zimbabwe
Strive Masiyiwa’s story is one of resilience in the face of formidable odds. When he founded Econet Wireless, he faced years of regulatory resistance from the Zimbabwean government, which repeatedly blocked his licence. Rather than bending under pressure or instilling fear in his team, Masiyiwa led through transparency and faith. He kept employees motivated by constantly framing the struggle as bigger than business—about justice, opportunity, and African innovation. Today, Econet is a telecoms giant across Africa, and Masiyiwa is respected globally not only for his business acumen but also for his ethical courage.
“In African business cultures, hierarchy often creates deference. Staff may bow, nod, and echo “yes, sir” out of habit, not genuine respect. True respect shows when employees volunteer ideas, take initiative, and go the extra mile.”
What these leaders teach small business owners
African CEOs operate under far greater constraints than their global peers. Yet their experiences distil key lessons for small business owners in Nigeria and across the continent:
Respect fosters loyalty, even in hardship. Employees who feel valued will stay and fight alongside you through tough times.
Humility attracts wisdom. Leaders who admit mistakes, like Aig-Imoukhuede, often gain better insights and stronger teams.
Integrity builds reputational capital. In contexts where corruption is rampant, leaders like Masiyiwa demonstrate that respect is earned when values are non-negotiable.
Inclusion drives innovation. Siyo’s “Yep Talks” show that the best ideas often come from the bottom up—if employees feel safe enough to share them.
Respect does not mean weakness. These leaders all held high standards. They balanced empathy with accountability.
The cautionary side
In African business cultures, hierarchy often creates deference. Staff may bow, nod, and echo “yes, sir” out of habit, not genuine respect. True respect shows when employees volunteer ideas, take initiative, and go the extra mile. Leaders must remain vigilant to distinguish between surface-level compliance and deep commitment.
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Conclusion
The proverb reminds us: “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” No CEO—no matter how visionary—can succeed without others. Fear might secure silence, but respect secures contribution.
For the African small business owner, the path is clear. Respect is not softness—it is strategy. It is what attracts talent, inspires investors, reassures customers, and sustains an enterprise through storms.
Next week, we will bring the conversation even closer to home by examining Nigerian CEOs—leaders whose choices have shaped our industries and whose stories offer sharper lessons for entrepreneurs building legacies in our unique context.
Dr. Olufemi Ogunlowo is the CEO of Strategic Outsourcing Limited, a leading provider of personnel and business process outsourcing services in Nigeria. He is also a regular columnist on employment and workforce strategy.
