“Ubuntu refutes the notion that a person can never be self-made because we are all interconnected.” – Mungi Ngomane
In March of 2023 I attended a good friend’s 60th birthday party. Little did I know that there was one person in the room who was about to become a critical part of the Gen A journey.
Less than a month later, I had an in-depth conversation with @Nicola Strong and as if the next chapter had already been written, we wasted no time defining the project that is going to change the shape of leadership for the next generation of emerging leaders.
I had been grappling with the question - how do we legitimately promote more value-driven collaborations and partnerships with and amongst Africans, both on the continent and in the world? Nicola had an idea that would enable a critical understanding of what it means to be human in an AI world, with a focus on the leaders of tomorrow. These two people were meant to meet.
Fast forward ten months and we’re excited to announce that Gen A Consultancy has officially joined forces with Strong Enterprises, an entity that embodies our core values of trust, integrity, transparency, results and collaboration, to form African Leadership Global 🤝
At African Leadership Global we recognise that in today's rapidly evolving world, leaders and leadership training are faced with multifaceted challenges that demand innovative solutions. Amidst this realisation, there exists a profound yet often overlooked resource: the indigenous wisdom of Africa. Rooted in centuries-old traditions and experiences, this wealth of knowledge offers invaluable insights that can revolutionise leadership practices across various sectors.
Imagine a business model guided by the principles of Ubuntu, where leaders prioritise communal well-being and interconnectedness over individual interests. African indigenous wisdom provides a rich tapestry of knowledge that can enhance industries ranging from medicine to environmental studies, fostering a deeper appreciation for the interrelation of all life.
Importantly, corporate leaders have much to gain from integrating indigenous wisdom into their business practices. By recognising the importance of community and environmental stewardship, businesses can cultivate a culture of respect, collaboration and sustainability. Drawing on African indigenous knowledge, leaders can innovate new models of business that prioritise social responsibility and long-term value creation.
Therefore, leadership training programmes must adapt to incorporate indigenous wisdom, not just from a Westerner or Eastern perspective, but from Africa. We believe that by exposing existing and emerging leaders to diverse cultural perspectives and traditional wisdom, leadership training programmes can equip future leaders with the skills and mindset needed to navigate a complex and interconnected world. From conflict resolution to ethical decision-making, African indigenous knowledge offers practical insights that can undoubtedly enhance leadership effectiveness.
African Leadership Global is the ultimate solution to the challenges that today's leaders face by providing evidence-based insights drawn directly from a radical new approach of anthro-complexity research. We have designed a framework which acts as a decision-making tool to help leaders make sense of where they are in order to act. Our intention is to develop a new understanding of the cultural variations in wise leadership across the African continent that will not only lead to sustainable change but will form the blueprint that others worldwide can follow.
The experience of birthing our newest initiative reminds me of the importance of being aware of and open to unlimited partnership opportunities by believing that you are only ever affiliated with the best high level partnership opportunities. It is not every day that you are connected to a business partner that is made of the very fabric that runs through the DNA of your company, so to say I am thrilled about this joint venture, is just the tip of the iceberg!
If you are seeking high level, synergistically aligned partnerships and you do not know where to start, I would like to offer you a daily affirmation that I have always found useful:
“I am the right person in the right place, at the right time, doing the right things with the right people”.
To stay updated on our journey and to learn more about our work at African Leadership Global, follow us on LinkedIn.
We would love to hear from you!