By Dapo Ipoola 

Leading differently refers to a shift away from traditional, top-down authoritarian command in favor of empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership styles. It could also be explicitly defined as a top-down approach centred on inclusivity, humility, and empowerment. Instead of acting as the ultimate problem-solver, a modern day leader focuses on asking the right questions, embracing diverse cognitive styles like neurodiversity, and fostering psychological safety within their team/followers.

Leaders that lead differently stop rushing to fix every problem that lands on their desk. Rather they ask their followers, what options have they considered? This they do in order to build the independence and spark innovation in their followers or professional adherents. They also recognize that different brains solve problems differently.

Tapping into neurodiverse perspectives unlocks creative solutions and unique competitive advantages. Leaders that lead differently shift power by ensuring all  voices in the room- not just the loudest ones are genuinely heard, valued and appreciated. Out of inconveniences, they step out of the spotlight and focus on leading the growth of their followers, allowing their successes to shine and unhindered.

Lest I bore my readers with the rigour of racking their brains with the above character,  Akin Oyebode. He is the son of that eminent Nigerian constitutional lawyer, Prof. Akin Oyebode, SAN, a former Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, EKSU, and now a Pro-Chancellor of the same university. That brilliance and academic excellence is hereditary in the Oyebode’s family will not be debatable because every scion of this noble family has distinguished him/herself in one professional field or the other. Studying law that seems to be a herculean task is more or less like a piece of cake  to the Oyebode’s family where both parents and two other  children are lawyers, leaving behind Akin Oyebode, the present Ekiti State Finance Commissioner, who is a seasoned administrator and financial expert. 

As a financial wizard who knows his onions, Akin Oyebode cut his first administrative teeth as a Research Assistant at the prestigious Lagos Business School, where he lectured Data and Policy Analysis- little wonder his prodigious perspicuity of fiscal administration and ingenious proficiency to boost. With over a decade of banking experience as one of the most delicate and sensitive sectors to navigate, Akin Oyebode effulgently distinguished himself untainted and unsullied with pristine records. After his meritorious service in the banking sector, he became the pioneer Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, where he developed the template for programmes, governance and administrative policy. In bringing his financial expertise into play, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund prudently disbursed over N6b loans 10,000 beneficiaries for small scale businesses, with over 5000 unemployed Lagos youths trained under sundry skills, both soft and hard skills, and about two thousands youths dutifully got employed, where about a hundred got start-ups workspace vouchers. 

Within the few years of the launch of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, over one hundred thousand employment opportunities were generated, leading to a drastic reduction in unemployment rate. Known for his midas touch as a financial guru, he was appointed as the Special Adviser on Investment, Trade & Innovations, and DG, Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency. Serving again in this capacity, his trajectory of administrative ingenuity projected Ekiti on a global map of recognition- with over $2b worth of investment in agriculture, technology and renewable energy were attracted to State. Presently, he is  the Chairman, Forum of Finance Commissioners of Nigeria, a capacity that he has helped repositioned to the admiration of financial scholars. And if there is any other individual who has redefined leadership in this modern day, it’s Akin Oyebode. 

With his cosmopolitan exposure, he has led differently with humility, refined character, enviable fiscal finesse, innovative ideas, spotless reputation, and unblemished records- all these are his hallmarks at every capacity where he has served.