Let’s ignite your leadership this final week by setting goals to create a cultural legacy, transforming teams in Buea or across global horizons. As Monday dawns in Cameroon, the communal songs of Foumban and the vibrant markets of Bamenda inspire us to leave a lasting mark. At Lead from the Heart, we’re concluding May’s theme, Wisdom – Leading with Cultural Intelligence, with Kwame Nkrumah’s wisdom: “Culture is not an ornament; it is the foundation of all human values.”
Cultural intelligence (CQ) builds legacies when we weave cultural wisdom into our leadership’s core. In Cameroon, with over 250 ethnic groups, CQ might mean embedding a Bassa proverb like “One finger cannot lift a load” into team values, fostering unity. Globally, it’s uniting diverse stakeholders for shared impact. Start this week inspired: your cultural wisdom can shape futures. Imagine a Douala leader whose inclusive meetings, rooted in palaver traditions, become a team hallmark. That’s the legacy we’re crafting.
Set a goal to cement one culturally intelligent practice this week. Reflect on a moment when culture elevated your leadership—perhaps a Kumba team thrived after you honoured communal feedback. Globally, leaders like Nelson Mandela used ubuntu to forge lasting change, blending local ethos with universal goals. How can you do this? Commit to one action: maybe make storytelling a regular team ritual to spark creativity. Our Leadership Breakfast will amplify such legacies—join us.
Make your goal specific: “This week, I’ll use [practice, e.g., group consensus] to [action, e.g., guide our strategy] for [outcome, e.g., lasting trust].” For example, “I’ll adopt palaver-style check-ins to ensure every voice shapes our plan.” Track progress by Friday: Did it strengthen bonds? Globally, firms like Unilever embed local customs—think Cameroonian-style team meals—to boost morale. In Cameroon, you might prioritize elder input in decisions, balancing global speed with local respect.
To fuel this goal, spend five minutes daily celebrating cultural strengths. Notice how a colleague’s warmth echoes a Limbe market exchange, then reinforce it. Our Strategic Offsite retreat (starting at 500,000 CFA) helps leaders craft legacies through immersive CQ exercises. Journal your goal: “Today, I applied [cultural wisdom] and saw [result].” As May ends, let’s make CQ your leadership’s enduring gift, paving the way for June’s insights.
Cameroon’s diverse spirit calls us to lead with purpose. Whether in village councils or global boardrooms, your CQ leaves a legacy. Start small, stay bold, and carry this wisdom forward.
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©Silas Achu
