Eyewitnesses to Leadership: You can't be a leader without being a learner - Ato Sarpong

Acclaimed business and leadership coach, Dr. Edward Ato Sarpong, has stressed the indispensable connection between learning and effective leadership.

In his newly launched book, "Eyewitness to Leadership," Ato Sarpong shares invaluable insights garnered from his extensive experience.

"After two decades of being a consistent student of leadership, I have concluded that learning and leadership are two inseparable friends," Ato Sarpong wrote.

"You can't be a leader without being a learner," he noted.

"Each day, I learn something new on leadership. I have picked leadership lessons on the streets, watching kids play, in the midst of friends, at the sports stadium, in the office, at home and many other places. I have even picked lessons on leadership observing my sons play. I have come to realise all great leaders are continually students of leadership. The best of leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study. Whiles some self-destruct and fail as leaders, others use the knowledge gained to impact and influence positively by doing exceptional things."

He first recalls how he faced a chilly reception from colleagues at his new job, but refused to give, persevered and leveraged leadership skills to win over his team.

"Contrary to my expectations, the whole environment was very hostile. Apparently, the team in the Finance Department was angry with my engagement and seemed quite worried about my presence. The Finance Manager, whom I had been told would be handing over to me, seemed to have bonded very well with the team and this appeared to be the reason why there was such hostility to my entry," he recalled.

"Within three months, we had stopped the bleeding, stabilised the business and the financial numbers pointed to a recovery with signs of profitability and positive cash flows. As Finance Manager, I was at the centre of all decisions and in the months that followed, I worked closely with the technical, sales and client service teams in closing all gaps, investing in our network and people and developing acquisition and retention strategies whiles reorganising the human capital base for growth and profitability.

"We were so decisive and effective that within eighteen months, Ghana had become a shining example of success within the Group. It was therefore not surprising when, barely eighteen months after my engagement as Finance Manager, I was promoted to a role of higher responsibility as Regional Financial Controller for West Africa. By my third anniversary with Africa Online, I was the General Manager for the Ghana operations and by my fourth anniversary, Regional Managing Director for West Africa," he wrote.

Dr. Ato Sarpong, in "Eyewitness to Leadership" book also recounts a pivotal encounter with his boss, which sparked his passion for leadership and ignited a personal commitment to lifelong learning.

"In March, 2003, Kamanda visited Ghana in his first operational review of the business as Group Chief Operating Officer. On the evening of the second day of his visit, we went across the road to an ATM to enable him cash some money. It was around 7 pm. He asked that we take a walk for a couple of minutes; and so we headed in the direction of Farisco on the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, a major road in the heart of Accra, Ghana's capital city."

"During the walk, Kamanda told me about his personal life and the role he had played to get Africa Online started in Kenya. He then raised the subject of leadership and gave me a good first lesson in the subject. I was a casual reader at the time and would occasionally read something on leadership and listen to people speak on the subject but all of that was in theory."

"Kamanda, on that 45-minute walk, spoke about leadership in an insightful manner which I had never heard or read on leadership. I spoke with passion and used practical examples I could relate to. He said to me "Every woman is a potential mother but only becomes one through a process to manifest that."

"A woman can never give birth and become a mother without going through a process by which the potential would manifest. In the same way, he said, everyone is born a potential leader but realising that potential is process-driven and the individual's decision and willingness to pay the price and sacrifice time and efforts to become a great leader.

"Being a leader requires a change in perspective. Although we are all born potential leaders with skills and aspirations to be great at what we do, we can only be successful leaders through wisdom, exposure, education, experiences, practice and failures.

"Kamanda went on to share with me further insights on leadership including some of his own personal experiences in navigating his way within Africa Online, some of which were that:

"We all have the seeds of leadership in us but we must nurture and grow our individual qualities in order to be successful leaders.

"A leader must look at things differently from a follower. Being a leader requires a change in perspective.

"Leadership is not about self. It is always about others. A leader's value is in the quality and strength of his followers. Dreams and visions are the hallmark of leadership.

"Leadership is about sacrifice. It is problem solving and preservation of the future. Leadership is about stretching a hand and making life better for people around you.

"Being a good leader is a personal decision to create an enabling environment and to get out of the way so people can flourish and live up to their leadership potential.

"That 45-minute walk with Kamanda gave me my first real lessons on leadership and I resolved, that night, to be a successful leader. The decision I made that fateful night meant I would share power wherever I found myself but take full responsibility for failures while allowing others to share in the glory of success. That decision meant I distribute control and surround myself with people with quality and skill to complement me in my areas of weakness. People will usually do what the leader does instead of what he says, so I decided to lead by example and not by instruction"

Ato Sarpong identifies the "Ten Building Blocks of Leadership" in his book as essential foundations for leaders in all spheres of life.

These principles serve as a roadmap for leaders seeking to enhance their skills and foster a culture of continuous learning.

About Edward Ato Sarpong
Ato Sarpong is a seasoned business and leadership coach, dedicated to empowering leaders across Africa. His expertise spans leadership development, organizational growth, and strategic planning.

"Eyewitness to Leadership" offers practical wisdom and real-world examples, equipping leaders to navigate complex challenges and achieve excellence.