Lead with Empathy: The Rise of Servant Leadership in Africa’s Renaissance

Gabriel Mahia
2 min readOct 19, 2023

In the heartland of emerging economies, a quiet storm is brewing. The winds of change whisper tales of leadership that values service over status, empathy over ego. As the dawn of Africa’s Renaissance approaches, a unique form of leadership is tracing the horizon, promising a landscape of inclusive growth and innovative solutions.

There’s a profound allure in the idea of leading not from the throne, but from the trenches. The concept of servant leadership, rooted deeply in the communal ethos of many African cultures, is not a stranger to this land. Yet, as the continent strides into a new era of economic and social renaissance, this model of leadership is re-emerging as a potent force for transformation. It invokes a style far removed from the autocratic shades that once colored the corridors of power. It echoes a call for leaders who are servants first, leaders second.

Now, let’s momentarily divert our gaze from the grand stage to the modest canvas of daily routine. Imagine a leader, let’s call her Amina. Every morning, before the sun casts its first light, Amina steps into her office, not to bury herself in the sanctity of her executive suite, but to prepare it for the day’s meetings. She arranges the chairs, ensures there’s fresh water, and perhaps, lays out a bowl of fruits. It’s a simple act, a minuscule fragment of her day, yet it speaks volumes. It’s a routine that embodies her belief in service, a daily reminder of her role not as a commander but a caretaker, a facilitator.

The whimsical nature of such a habit isn’t lost on us. It evokes an aura of humility, eliciting a sense of awe and a ripple of excitement among those who witness it. It’s contagious, inspiring a culture of shared responsibility and collective ownership. And as word of Amina’s morning routine spreads across the LinkedIn community, it ignites a spark of curiosity, a conversation around the kind of leadership Africa is nurturing in its soil.

Amidst this discourse, emerges a narrative embroidered with tales of individuals whose leadership is not measured by the height of their pedestals, but by the depth of their empathy. It’s the story of a burgeoning Africa, where leaders don’t just pave the way but walk the journey alongside. This narrative isn’t just a fleeting whisper but a resonating echo across the savannah of professional dialogues, engraving the ethos of servant leadership into the heart of Africa’s renaissance.

In sum, the essence of servant leadership, beautifully entangled in daily nuances and broadened by the expanse of collective narratives, is a cornerstone in the unfolding chapter of Africa’s renaissance. It’s a model that transcends the traditional paradigms of authority, steering the continent towards an era of empathetic and effective leadership.

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Gabriel Mahia
Gabriel Mahia

Written by Gabriel Mahia

Traveler, reader, writer with a focus on Cyber and Predictive Analytics. Ardent music lover who sees life as a blend of exploration, learning and creativity.

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