A question I didn't expect

A few months ago, I told my team I’d be stepping down.

We were on a virtual call—colleagues from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Morocco—processing the shift together.

To my surprise, they weren’t just dismayed that I was leaving.

They were curious.

They wanted to understand what had really been happening behind the scenes—how I led, why I made certain decisions, and what made my approach feel so different to them.

They asked for special sessions where they could ask questions.

Not about strategy.

But about leadership.

What stood out to them most wasn’t what I did, but how I gave them space.

They each had autonomy to implement strategy in their own countries, in a way that made sense for their local context, their partnerships, their style.

And for those who thrived with independence and initiative, it worked beautifully.

But not everyone operates the same way.

Some found it disorienting at first.

They were used to leadership that spelled things out.
That followed hierarchy.
That didn’t ask for as much trust.

That’s when I realized something:

How we lead matters as much as what we lead.

True leadership isn’t about control—it’s about creating the right conditions for people to flourish.

Sometimes that means standing back.

Sometimes it means stepping in.

Finding the balance between spaciousness and structure isn’t a one-size-fits-all equation.

It’s an ongoing dance of discernment.

I often think of it as “leader as mentor”, a phrase I learned from a business book a few years back.

The kind of leadership that doesn’t need the spotlight—but makes space for others to shine.

Whether you’re in a corporate role, building your own business, or guiding a community—how you lead can either uplift or unintentionally restrict.

The question is:

✨How are you being called to lead differently right now?

Here’s to the kind of leadership that makes space.
That empowers without being overbearing.
That listens as much as it speaks.
That mentors, rather than manages.

Here’s to leading and flourishing—on your own terms,

✨🌷✨
Lenore