Hello,

It’s great to be with you again this week! How are things going? As the year draws to a close, I hope you are already thinking about the first quarter of 2022. Planning is the first step towards ensuring success in all your endeavours.

I am reading a new book this month. It is titled “Consiglieri: Leading from the Shadows” by Richard Hytner. Anyone who has read Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather” or watched the movie would know that a consigliere is a member of a Mafia family who serves as an adviser to the leader and resolves disputes within the family. Hytner borrows the term and applies it to relationships in the business and political sectors. He calls this group of advisers or aides the Cs and contrasts them with the As or Alphas [the CEOs and other top leaders].

Reading the introductory part of this book reminded me of a decision I made after setting up Makon in February 1997. Rather than taking the title Managing Director, General Manager or CEO, I chose Operations Manager. I felt I had to gain experience in the “C” role to equip me with what I needed to make it as an excellent A. I only became the Managing Director seven years later.

I have also carried this principle over into governance. I do not favour high-sounding titles. Call me Seyi Makinde instead of Engr or Chief Seyi Makinde. In fact, based on what each day brings, I can function either as an A or a C. People can find this confusing, and they conclude that I am naïve.

But, I am not politically naïve. I am aware that not everyone is my friend or supporter, nor will everyone identify with me, no matter my good intentions. I rather see myself in the same position as brilliant students who are the teacher’s pets. They often face bile from people who are performing too poorly to get the teacher’s attention.

So, I agree with Hytner that leaders need to grow into the role, and that before they do, they should work as Cs. In this way, they can decide if they want to remain Cs or become As. Also, while serving as As, they can become Cs when the occasion calls for it.

The truth is that we can only have as many As. So, the fixation on being number 1 will only end in frustration for many. Also, leaders have blind spots that they require very capable Cs to fill. When a leader does not surround himself with lieutenants that can cover these gaps, he is exposed and ultimately embarrassed.

So please read this book along with me. I am particularly looking forward to reading Part 3, which talks about the co-relationship between As and Cs. You can be sure I will share what I learn with you.

Until I write to you again, stay safe. If you are in Oyo State, please go to our PHCs and get vaccinated.