As Africans, the journey toward effective leadership is deeply rooted in community, shared responsibility, and collective progress. In all corners of the continent and throughout the diaspora, the art of building influence is not solely about personal advancement, but about uplifting the entire group. Authority is more than a position or a title,it is earned through trust, credibility, and the capacity to inspire others to work together for a common purpose. However, even dedicated leaders can sometimes weaken their own influence through daily habits that do not serve the collective. Below are three habits that can hinder leadership within our communities, along with ways to address them for the benefit of all.

1. Speaking Over Others Instead of Empowering Collective Voices

In many African societies, leadership has traditionally involved facilitating dialogue and reaching consensus. Yet, modern workplaces and organizations can create pressures for leaders to dominate conversations, believing that offering all the answers is a sign of strength. When leaders suppress the voices and ideas of their team,even unintentionally,they limit creativity and discourage participation. This can undermine the spirit of Ubuntu, which reminds us, “I am because we are.”

Consider a team leader who always takes charge of discussions and decisions. While this may ensure quick results, it silences the diversity of perspectives crucial for innovation and sustainable progress. When this leader made a conscious effort to let others present their ideas, the team’s engagement and ownership grew, resulting in stronger outcomes for everyone involved. To foster inclusive leadership, create space for all voices, especially those less likely to speak up. Ask open questions, invite input from every team member, and focus on drawing out the collective wisdom around you.

2. Not Practicing Deep, Respectful Listening

In African cultures, listening is a sign of respect and an essential tool for understanding complex realities. Leaders who do not listen carefully to their teams risk missing valuable feedback and fail to build the trust necessary for collective action. When people do not feel heard, commitment to the group’s goals declines.

Deep listening involves understanding not just words but the feelings, motivations, and needs behind them. Whenever possible, reflect back what you hear to ensure understanding. Take time to listen before responding, and avoid planning your reply while others speak. This attentive, empathetic approach shows respect for each person’s contribution and builds trust throughout the community. Over time, this strengthens your ability to lead effectively and authentically.

3. Ignoring the Importance of Informal Relationships

Influence in African contexts is often built through relationships that extend beyond formal structures,through family ties, village gatherings, or everyday conversations in the marketplace. Leaders who focus only on formal meetings or official channels miss opportunities to build trust and promote collaboration in more genuine ways.

For example, a project leader struggling to gain support realized that her lack of informal connections with colleagues was holding her back. By engaging in more personal conversations and showing interest in others’ experiences, she built stronger relationships, which later helped her to achieve her goals. To build this habit, invest in regular, informal engagement with people at all levels of your organization or community. Celebrate collective achievements, acknowledge challenges, and show genuine care for others. Small gestures of solidarity can have lasting impact on your ability to inspire and unite people.

Building Leadership for Collective Progress

Influence is not an individual trait, but a capacity developed through conscious effort for the good of the whole. By recognizing and addressing the habits that can erode authority,dominating conversations, failing to listen, and neglecting relationships,leaders across Africa and the diaspora can become more effective. Practice empowering your group, listen deeply, and nurture authentic connections. As you do, you will strengthen not only your own leadership, but also the unity and progress of your community.