Copyright tribuneonlineng
BUSINESS founders and executives have been urged to rethink leadership, organisational culture, and talent management in response to global shifts in work, technology, and social expectations. The call was made at the Business Leaders Roundtable organized by SixthSense Leadership in Lagos, where participants explored the theme of leadership empathy, strategy, and sustainability in modern enterprises. Welcoming participants, the convener, Bright ‘UK’ Ukwenga, Principal Consultant, SixthSense Leadership, noted that the event was “thoughtfully organized for founders, executives, and business leaders who continue to play a vital role in shaping our economy and society.” He emphasized that leadership, often romanticized, is in fact a lonely and complex journey. “Too often, the challenges that leaders face are overlooked,” he said. “Leaders are expected to inspire their teams, yet many times, they carry the full weight of responsibility,managing urgency, uncertainty, and constant change.” Ukwenga highlighted the growing need to support leaders’ emotional and mental well-being, noting that while employee mental health has become a popular corporate concern, executives and founders face immense, often invisible pressures. “Leadership comes with the awareness that the success or failure of an organization affects many lives. That is precisely why this event has been convened, to create space for reflection and the exchange of ideas that strengthen leadership excellence in business,” he said. He underscored that the prosperity of businesses is inseparable from the prosperity of individuals and communities. “When businesses thrive, individuals prosper; when businesses fail, the impact is felt across society,” he said. At Sixth Sense, he explained, leadership development is anchored on three pillars: empowered leadership, strong institutions, and shared prosperity. In his remarks on workforce transformation, Ukwenga addressed the rise of talent mobility, noting that the growing movement of skilled workers within and across borders is driven by globalisation, digital platforms, and changing work preferences. “We are in an era where opportunities have become democratized. There was a time when employers held all the power, but now, people want flexibility—they want to freelance, work remotely, and have greater control over their time,” he said. He described this shift as a wake-up call for businesses to develop a new social contract with employees—one that balances competitive compensation with purpose and meaning. He further stressed the role of technology as “the great enabler,” noting that automation and artificial intelligence are rapidly reshaping global labor markets. Citing the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report (2023), he said that while 85 million jobs are expected to be displaced by 2030, 97 million new roles will emerge. In subsequent sessions, speakers explored key principles of organizational strategy, emotional intelligence, and collaboration as essential tools for resilient leadership. “Strategy is the best route to desirable ends with available means,” Abayomi Molehin, Group Chief Strategy Officer at Continental Reinsurance said, while emphasizing that leaders must understand their current realities, resources, and context before choosing a path forward. The forum also highlighted the importance of collaborative intelligence, noting the ability of leaders to harness collective expertise and build partnerships for sustainable growth. “Human progress has always depended on communication and collaboration,” he said. “Sustainability means creating win–win situations, ensuring that more than one stakeholder has an interest in what we’re building.” The event concluded with a shared commitment to advancing leadership excellence in Nigeria’s business community. Participants agreed that empathy, collaboration, and strategic foresight are indispensable for navigating an increasingly uncertain global economy.
