- Leaders should not be consumed by building a future for the next generation but build leaders for the next generation instead.
- One should start by evaluating their current status as it is a key foundation for the future that one is anticipating.
- Resilience should be built against any odds while continuous learning should be embraced especially away from one’s comfort zones.
The Round Table Conversations is a platform for diverse leadership development-conversations powered by Arise Circle KE, a leadership and organizational development entity operating in Kenya, Africa and beyond.
From time to time, Arise Circle KE, led by Dr. Edinah Kangwana, curates and hosts these conversations under a specific theme.
During the 4th session held on April 5, 2024 at Kwanza Place Kisii, the theme was “Future Leading, a candid conversation on how individuals and organizations can effectively and sustainably lead now with the future in mind”, particularly putting at the centre the many disruptors current leadership faces.
The Round Table Conversation saw a diverse attendance in age, experience, gender among other parameters.
The mode of delivery was input from every participant on their understanding of Future Leading, a power panel discussion which had 5 panelists and two key note speakers.
Dr. Kangwana, the CEO and Founder Arise Circle KE, who officially opened the meeting, acknowledged and applauded the participants for their amazing leadership that is transforming communities.
According to her, the topic was inspired by the myriad of disruptors which are significantly changing today’s leadership dynamics.
Reflecting on the leadership of yesterday to the current one, Dr. Kangwana sees the need to revamp today for tomorrow.
“These dynamics have drawn the world to a BANI leadership environment. A state characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. In such an environment, rapid changes, unpredictability, interconnectedness of factors, and lack of clarity are prominent features, requiring adaptive strategies and flexible approaches to navigate effectively,” she opines.
This situation is made complex by emergence of GenZ, technology, climate change, awareness of DEI + B and globalization playing centre stage and calling on all the current leadership to take note, reinvent and be ready to fit the leadership of tomorrow.
Moreover, she reiterates that today’s leaders are giants as they stand on the strong shoulders of the founding leaders who laid solid foundations while at the same time, reminding all that nature calls on everybody to return the favour by building a stronger next generation.
According to her, leaders should not be consumed by building a future for the next generation but build leaders for the next generation instead.
Importance of Innovation
The event which kicked off with a power panel discussion of five panelists, was moderated by Jairus Kibagendi, a counseling psychologist, wellness champion, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion advocate and the CEO of A Million Hugs.
Dr. Walter Bichanga Okibo, PhD, MBS, CPM, MHC spoke on Innovation and Creativity.
He put emphasis on the importance of innovation and creativity in developing solutions for future challenges.
As we move to the future leadership, shape is anticipated to be complex with leaders being called to be ready to offer solutions to intricate issues which were not there yesterday nor today.
As a key tenet to future leadership, Dr. Okibo urged participants to never settle for what worked yesterday, what may not work today explaining that what might be relevant and solution-centered today, may be irrelevant tomorrow.
“Staying abreast to the changing dynamics and remaining adaptable and flexible will be an important tool for anyone to thrive in the future,” he noted.
Intentional Commitment
On his part, CPA Edwin Atege, who is a distinguished leader, finance and management expert dwelt on continuous learning and personal development as a tenet to Future Leading.
He termed it as an intentional commitment to lifelong learning and development to ensure one stays ahead of the curve.
“Learn every day, everywhere, from everybody and from every situation. Invest time, money and other resources. There is no age limit to learning. Have mentors who will help you in your growth,” he explained.
“Remain humble so as to create room to learn. Have a goal that drives you to want to learn against all odds. Read books, journals, get that one certificate, one more degree.
“Learning helps you get updated on the emerging trends and pushes you to remain in the know,” he advised.
Dr. Vincent Sagwe, DHL, CPM, a policy expert and an agricultural innovation champion, and CEO Safeline Farm shared insights on Foresight and Anticipation where he encouraged leaders to anticipate future trends, challenges and opportunities through strategic foresight.
To achieve this, Dr. Sagwe noted that one should start by evaluating their current status as it is a key foundation for the future that one is anticipating.
Human Dignity
Journalist Stephen Ndemo shared insights on adaptability and flexibility while encouraging leaders to swiftly hinge on responding to the ever-changing circumstances.
“Instead of complaining of the changing dynamics, remain flexible to see the opportunities the challenges are positioning you to. Shift immediately and position yourself to tap on them,” the Ndizi TV journalist said.
Human Rights activist and the team leader of Kisii Minto Foundation Milka Abraham, on her part, said that empathy and love for each other was a strand that cannot be ignored while tagging the vulnerable in the community on the journey to the future.
Inclusiveness and upholding of human dignity, she said, was vital especially today when there is a lot of anxiety and a host of emerging social changes that are complex.
Speakers touched on the need of embracing emotional intelligence, risk management and strategic collaborations to achieve greater impact.
Mr. Jamil Shamji, a leadership and governance expert, sustainable urban development enthusiast, mentor, entrepreneur and a distinguished leader was one of the keynote speakers who noted that technology was one of the greatest disruptors of the leadership space alongside other emerging issues like globalization, climate action, diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Age shifts in leaders from the elderly who the past leadership favoured on grounds of knowledge of experience and wisdom, to the young, time tenure in leadership spaces especially political will be short,” he argued.
Consequently, it was noted that the emergence of virtual learning, social media influencers, leaders with no emotional and physical connection with their followers, Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT are slowly taking over the need for physical engagements where one doesn’t need a physical classroom and tutor to earn a degree or even a PhD.
However, participants were encouraged to take advantage and tap into the opportunities brought about by the many disruptors in the leadership space.
Speaking at the same function, Prof. Henry Onderi, PhD, used his own leadership journey experience detailing how he triumphed, fell and picked lessons along the way revealing that most of his biggest lessons were from his failures than his successes.
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“Resilience should be built against any odds while continuous learning should be embraced especially away from one’s comfort zones,” he advised.
Prof. Onderi urged that one should not allow their circumstances like family backgrounds that they had no control over, to hold them back from achieving their desired goals.
Prof. Onderi is an esteemed researcher, academic leader, Entrepreneur & Leadership and Governance Expert.
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