LEADERSHIP IS RESPONSIBILITY, NOT PERFECTION

LEADERSHIP IS RESPONSIBILITY, NOT PERFECTION
By Yetunde B. Oni Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Union Bank of Nigeria

THE FUTURE REWARDS THOSE WHO BEGIN BEFORE THEY FEEL READY
Opinion | Leadership

Over the years I have had the same conversation with talented people, men and women, across different stages of their careers. It often starts the same way. A capable person tells me they are not yet ready for the role, the room, or the opportunity. They are waiting for the right moment, for certainty, for confidence to arrive first.

What my years in banking have taught me is that certainty rarely comes first. More often, it arrives after you say yes, after you prepare, and after you allow the experience to shape you. Confidence is not a requirement to begin. It is a by-product of beginning. That is why I encourage people to show up even when they feel unsure. Submit the application. Take the interview. Volunteer for the project. Even if you do not get it, the process itself will stretch you, teach you, and position you for what is next. The risk is not in trying and falling short. The risk is in waiting so long that you miss the very experience that would have made you ready.

I speak from experience. No one enters leadership with all the answers. What sustains you is a clear sense of purpose, the humility to keep learning, and the willingness to carry responsibility that is bigger than yourself. Leadership is not about having everything figured out. It is about being willing to start.

Culture is built in daily choices
People watch their leaders closely. They notice what we reward, what we ignore, and how we behave when things are difficult. Culture is not written only in policies. It is formed in everyday actions, conversations, and decisions.

If we want teams that are confident, accountable, and innovative, we must build an environment that allows that to happen. A central part of that is psychological safety. People do their best work when they know they can speak honestly, ask questions, give feedback, and even make mistakes without fear. When that safety is missing, people withdraw. Ideas stay hidden. Problems go unresolved.

This is why I value direct but respectful feedback. Avoiding hard conversations does not protect anyone. It only pushes issues into corners where they grow. A difficult discussion, a memo, a query can be the very thing that helps someone grow. Leaders must model this. If people speak up and are shut down, everyone learns to stay quiet. If they speak up and are heard, openness becomes normal.
Character must lead competence
When asked about the most important leadership quality, my answer is simple: integrity. Competence can be learned. Character determines how it is used.

I look for people who keep their word, who are reliable, and who understand that leadership is about service, not status. Trust is the foundation of any team that wants to last. Without it, even the most skilled people cannot build anything meaningful together. In moments of uncertainty, it is character that holds institutions together.

Success is broader than titles*
My definition of success has changed with time. Ambition and achievement still matter. But so do family, peace of mind, and the ability to make a difference. Some of the most important things cannot be measured on a CV.

I have also learned not to delay contentment until the next promotion. Life does not wait. If we keep postponing joy, we miss the value of the present. Every stage teaches something.

Rest is part of this. Boundaries are part of this. Saying no, asking for help, and pacing yourself are not weakness. They are how you lead for the long term without burning out.

Women must be heard, not just present
I shared many of these thoughts recently with colleagues through weHub, our women network at Union Bank. One theme kept coming up. It is not enough for women to be in the room. They must feel safe to speak, to contribute, and to go for opportunities.

Leaders have a duty to spot potential and create space for it. And those of us already in leadership must support each other. Amplify voices. Give honest feedback. Say, “you should take this,” or “you are ready.”

Too many capable people, especially women, disqualify themselves before anyone else does. My advice remains the same. Apply. Speak. Contribute. Do it even if you are afraid. Each step builds you. Your voice matters. Your courage to show up does not only open doors for you. It shows others what is possible.

#### The kind of institution we are building
At Union Bank, an institution that has served Nigeria for over a century, I think a lot about legacy. For me, it is not about one deal or one quarter. It is about culture. I want to help build a place where people feel trusted, supported, and accountable. A place where honesty is normal, learning is continuous, and work has meaning.

I believe the future belongs to those who show up. Not to those who wait until every fear is gone, but to those who prepare, act with integrity, lift others as they climb, and start before they feel fully ready. That courage is available to all of us. The question is whether we will choose it.

Yetunde B. Oni is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria.