The archetypal leader; Leaders who leave enduring legacies possess certain archetypal qualities that sustain to their lasting impact. The following are some of the qualities that characterise such ‘archetypal leaders’.
Visionary thinking. This is the ability to envision a future that is different from and vastly superior to the present and to inspire others to work towards achieving that vision.
Passion and Purpose of the leader is that strong sense of purpose and passion that drives their work and decisions, and inspires others to follow them.
A leader’s courage and resilience manifest in the willingness to take risks, face challenges head-on, and bounce back from setbacks and failures. Integrity and authenticity, meaning an uncompromising sense of integrity, ethics, and authenticity is necessary for a leader to earn the trust and respect of others.
Strategic thinking, the ability to think critically and strategically, make informed decisions that balance short-term needs with long-term goals is a sine qua non in leadership.
A leader worthy to be so regarded must possess the capability for collaboration and empowerment. It is the ability to build and lead high-performing teams, empowering others to take ownership and make decisions.
Adaptability and flexibility, is the leader’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances, navigate uncertainty, and pivot when necessary. Communication and storytelling, the ability to communicate complex ideas simply, tell compelling stories, and inspire others through their words and actions are necessary qualities to lead.
A leader must possess emotional intelligence and empathy. These, together with other social skills enable him to build strong relationships and understand the needs of others.
A leader must have a legacy mindset, a mindset focused on leaving a lasting legacy that transcends her own lifetime, and inspires future generations to build upon her work.
Leadership demands a commitment to Continuous Learning and self-improvement: A leader engages in continuous learning, self-reflection, and self-improvement in order to adapt to new challenges and ‘stay ahead of the curve’.
Leadership is about Humility and Respect. By this is meant respect for self and for others, their person, their perspective, and their contributions, combined with humility and a willingness to listen and learn.
Archetypal leaders possess these qualities and more, which enable them to establish enduring legacies that impact on and inspire future generations to do even better.
Mabogunje, an archetypal leader
The enduring legacy of Professor Emeritus Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje’s life and career indeed reflects the qualities of the archetypal leader. The 154-page “Book of Tributes” that extensively articulate this through numerous first- hand sources, and his autobiography “Measures of Grace” support, nay prove, his characteristics, listed below, as a paragon of leadership.
Visionary thinking
First, Mabogunje’s pioneering research and work in Geography demonstrate his ability to envision and create new paths by shaping the field in Nigeria, Africa, and indeed the world.
Second, he was a strong advocate for sustainable development, having perceived the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental and social considerations.
Passion and Purpose
His passion for education and research drove his academic career, thereby inspiring generations of students and scholars. Many of his students and mentees have, with profound gratitude and pride, acknowledged this in published their tributes.
His commitment to sustainable development and environmental justice is noteworthy.
Environmental justice refers to the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of their background, in environmental decision-making processes. It aims to address disproportionate environmental burdens and benefits, ensuring everyone has access to clean air, water, and land. Key aspects of this are:
Fair distribution: Equitable access to natural resources and environmental benefits.
Inclusive decision-making: Involving marginalized communities in environmental policy-making. Addressing disparities: Mitigating environmental injustices faced by vulnerable populations.
Environmental justice seeks to promote sustainability, equity, and human rights. Professor Mabogunje’s commitment and excellence in the field of environmental justice was evident throughout his career, it guided his research, teaching, and advocacy. In this respect, his books, “The Development Process”, and “The State of the Earth” represent classic contributions to the relevant body of literature.
Mabogunje broke boundaries in academia, becoming one of the first Black African to earn a Ph.D. in Geography paving the way for future academics in that field. He also unified the study of Geography as a science with the articulation of the city and its periphery as a unity of spatial system that deserves the highest form of scientific theorising, modeling and analysis. The modern-day discipline of Urban Science is a testament to the prescience of Mabogunje’s fundamental conceptual formulation in Geography and Science.
With specific reference to his country, the professor took on and navigated the challenges of Nigeria’s development, applying deep insight, extensive knowledge, and practical experience to address issues like urbanisation, poverty, and environmental degradation.
He remained committed to his values of academic excellence, integrity, and social responsibility throughout his career. A man who regarded work as a call to service, he suffered no blemishes of any kind throughout his life and career wherever he served – be it in academic institutions, or the public and private sectors. In the peculiar Nigerian environment he lived and worked, this remains an extraordinarily, even amazing, accomplishment. He was indeed a ‘strong man’.
The integrity and authenticity of Emeritus Professor Akin Mabogunje earned him respect and admiration from both peers and students who valued his guidance and mentorship.
Adaptability and flexibility
Mabogunje’s research focus evolved over time, adapting to changing circumstances and emerging challenges in Nigeria and Africa. He also remained open to new technologies, methods, and ideas, incorporating them into his research and teaching to stay relevant and effective.
Strategic thinking
Mabogunje’s work demonstrated his ability to think strategically, using interdisciplinary approaches to address complex problems.He fostered collaborations and partnerships with local and international organisations, governments, and communities to drive positive change. The selection in 1976 of Professor Mabogunje by Ali Kazancigil , the Editor of the Blackwell Series, sponsored by UNESCO, to author the volume on Geography and the environment titled “State of the Earth: Contemporary Geographic Perspectives” was a testament of his recognition as a global intellectual and a leading academic worthy to collaborate with.
Mentorship and community service
Mabogunje mentored and empowered numerous students, researchers, and professionals, helping thereby to build knowledge and practical capacity in Geography, sustainable development, and related fields.
One with a sense of social responsibility, he empathetically engaged with local communities, involving them in relevant research, planning, and decision-making processes to ensure that their needs and concerns were addressed.
Communication and storytelling
Mabogunje’s writing style was clear, accessible, and engaging, making complex concepts and research findings understandable to a broad audience. He thus communicated effectively with diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, communities, and students, to convey the importance and relevance of his work.
Emotional intelligence and empathy
Mabogunje demonstrated a deep understanding of human and environmental systems, recognizing the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental factors. His work was characterised by empathy and compassion, as he sought to address the needs and concerns of marginalized and vulnerable populations.
Legacy mindset
Like all great leaders, Mabogunje’s work was guided by a focus on long-term impact, recognizing that his contributions could have far-reaching consequences for future generations. His autobiography is a masterclass in setting up the next generation to advance his works and sustain his legacy. Furthermore, he inspired future generations of scholars, policymakers, practitioners, leaving a legacy that continues to shape the fields of geography, sustainable development, and beyond. In sum, he was one imbued with a legacy mindset.
Continuous learning and self-improvement
Mabogunje remained committed to lifelong learning, staying up-to-date with the latest research, methodologies, and technologies in his field. Even in his 70 and 80s, I was amazed at his curiosity and search for answers and understanding in emerging areas of global capital market finance and stakeholder capitalism. On one of his visits to the World Bank in Washington D.C, we spent long hours in his hotel room discussing how to bring liquidity into the mortgage market in Nigeria employing the tools of mortgage-backed securitisation.
The financial engineering knowledge to explain this area of capital market was technical and complex. I was amazed at how patient and humble he was in letting me tutor him. He ultimately followed me home to eat dinner with my family. On another occasion, he sought me out to have lunch with him at the World Bank cafeteria.
Concluded.
Megbolugbe, a retired professor at Johns Hopkins University, is a former student, research assistant, and friend of Professor Mabogunje. He resides in the United States of America.
After lunch, we took a walk around the Work Bank premises for a while talking about the key characteristics of well-functioning national housing finance markets. And systems. The huge gap between us in stature and intellect dissolved, and we talked like friends and peers. I forgot who he was. I shared anecdotes from my experiences as the Global Practice Leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers in housing finance which enabled us to share laughs and jokes.
Mabogunje was not only an academic, he was deeply a spiritual being who routinely engaged in reflection and self-improvement. Therefrom, he could discern and recognise areas in need of growth and development in his life and the life of his environment. He adapted accordingly his approach and strategies to life and his work.
Respect and humility
“I believe the first test of a truly great man is humility” said English polymath John Ruskin. Prof never thought he knew it all. How could he? Even the philosopher Socrates admitted he knew nothing. This, he posited, was the ultimate wisdom. A humble Mabogunje demonstrated respect for diverse perspectives; he acknowledged the value and the unquantifiable benefits of interdisciplinary approach and collaboration to solve problems. Possibly he discerned in his spirit that after all, all knowledge are aspects of, and derive from, the One Source. So, accepting that he did not have all the answers, he remained open to new ideas and fresh insights, and ever willing to learn.
Beyond receptiveness to other perspectives is the even more challenging capability to synthesize a multiplicity of ideas into a coherent and meaningful thought, and in turn, workable solutions. Mabogunje was a genius at ‘confluencing’ and contextualising many perspectives into coherent and consistent narratives. This he dubbed common sense. And from his approach to these things, one may even dare to tag him ‘the Common Sense professor’. Of course, what he called ‘common sense’ is wisdom which, in truth, is not common.
I shall conclude this three – part series to say first, that these archetypal leadership qualities equipped for, and enabled Professor Emeritus Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje the life he lived, to achieve what he achieved, and ultimately to leave behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence scholars, policymakers, and practitioners across generations. His remarkable life and achievements teach us to cultivate virtue, and stay true to our values and ideals, even in the face of challenges and uncertainties.
Second, all said and done, the legacy of this academic giant, archetypal leader, and intellectual citizen of the world, Professor Emeritus Akinlawon Ladipo Mabogunje lives on to inspire and influence for good, future generations.
