In the shadow of Mount Cameroon, resilience isn’t a fleeting trait—it’s a legacy carved into the land and its people. As we navigate Week 4 of our April theme—Resilience: Thriving Through Change and Challenge—we’re focusing on the principles that make resilience endure. For African executives, leading through change isn’t just about surviving the moment; it’s about creating a foundation that withstands time.
Here in Cameroon, where community and perseverance intertwine, we draw from our roots to build leadership that lasts. Let’s explore the pillars that will carry you and your team beyond April’s challenges into a future of impact.
The first pillar is steadfast purpose.
Change can shake us, but a clear ‘why’ keeps us grounded. In the bustling markets of Douala, vendors don’t falter when prices shift—they adapt because their purpose is to provide for their families. As leaders, we must anchor in our core mission. Ask: Why did I start this journey, and how does it serve my people? During a crisis—say, a supply chain snag in Buea—revisit your organisation’s purpose. Share it with your team. A purpose-driven leader turns chaos into clarity, inspiring others to push forward. Globally, this holds true—think of companies like Patagonia, thriving through change by staying true to their environmental ethos.
Next is emotional agility.
Resilience demands we manage our inner world as deftly as the outer one. In Cameroon, our elders teach us to bend like the palm tree in a storm—flexible yet unbroken. When a project fails or a client pulls out, it’s natural to feel frustration. Acknowledge it, then pivot. Research from Harvard shows emotionally agile leaders recover faster and inspire confidence. Practice this today: if stress hits, pause, breathe (count to five), and reframe the setback as a chance to learn. Your calm becomes your team’s strength, a lesson that resonates from Yaoundé to Yokohama.
The third pillar is empowering others.
Resilience isn’t solitary—it’s collective. In our villages, when a barn burns, the community rebuilds it together. As leaders, we multiply our impact by lifting others. Delegate meaningfully—give a junior staffer in Bamenda a chance to lead a small initiative during a transition. Coach them through it. Globally, firms like Google thrive by fostering ownership at every level. Empowerment builds a team that doesn’t just endure change but shapes it. Ask your people: What do you need to shine through this? Their growth becomes your legacy.
Finally, long-term visioning seals resilience.
Change tempts us to focus on the now, but lasting leaders look ahead. Picture a farmer in the Northwest Region planting mango trees—they won’t fruit for years, but the harvest will feed generations. In your role, carve out 30 minutes this week to dream: Where do I want my organisation in 2030? Sketch a rough plan—new markets, stronger culture, community impact—and tie today’s actions to it. This forward gaze, rooted in Cameroonian patience and global ambition, turns short-term wins into enduring success.
These pillars—purpose, agility, empowerment, and vision—aren’t theoretical; they’re practical. Pick one to lean on today. If a budget cut looms, rally your team around purpose. If morale dips, empower someone with a new role. Globally, these principles scale; locally, they reflect our heart-centred approach. Together, they build leadership that doesn’t just weather change—it thrives through it, leaving a mark for years to come.
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© Silas Achu
