BY DANIEL ADEBIAYE DOSSOU

At a dinner celebrating his 57th birthday, a Beninese business consultant was asked to say a few words. Talking eagerly to the few businessmen invited for the occasion, he concluded his speech with a powerful but intriguing statement: “More and more, the practice of management that got you where you are won’t get you where you want to be. You need a dynamic and more vision-oriented approach to business: call it a good contextual leadership and a sound practice of ethic and strategic management.”

That is certainly a call for a new paradigm. But what is so new in the business environment in Benin that requires a new strategic focus?

In Benin, the presidency is no longer a simple administrative office. It looks more like an engineering job setting, a place in perpetual search of moral leadership, with a chief executive who seems to know where he is heading. The least we can say is that the Republic of Benin is striving for a shift of paradigm. The future will say if it’s good or bad. For sure, the aforementioned statement by the Beninese business consultant is in line with the prevailing trend among the country’s current leaders: definitely in Benin, the old practice of management that got businessmen and managers where they are today, won’t get them where they want to be.

Undeniably, a much-needed change is underway in Benin. The head of state, a transformational leader, fills the whole nation with new ideas and challenges. He is very engaging, methodically putting the force of his personality behind his ideas. With an undeniable charisma, he is always trying to get his people moving toward new ideas. He naturally speaks in a businesslike tone, trying to engage and excite his audience. Like him or not, he is undoubtedly mesmerizing, always seeking to move his country toward a higher and better destiny.

However, that type of leadership comes naturally with some difficulties. For instance, it may become impossible for followers to convince the leader that he is sometimes wrong. And influential team members can develop a “we-they” attitude that creates a climate of jealousy and isolation of some citizens. A leader was once asked what it took to be a great leader. He responded: “Great followers!” Indeed, in addition to having leaders who can lead, successful organizations need followers who can follow. Sometimes, bad followers may be the big impediment. In fact, since there are more followers than leaders in any organization, ineffective followers may be more of a handicap to an organization than ineffective leaders.

Some fallacies in management so often hinder good leadership. Managers need a collective effort toward the common good yet organize in a way that encourages high competition. They need employees’ commitment but tend to be treat them as adversaries. They urge employees to take initiatives yet control their every action. A real paradox!

How do we formulate and effectively implement the management strategy necessary to correct these shortcomings? That’s a big enigma. But what looks like a big puzzle has solutions with the assistance of savvy business consultants.

Praise the Lord and the Good Voodoo spirit that seem at work in Benin for a good strategy-formulation and implementation in business and politics. Wait and see.

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At “The African,” we believe in the freedom of opinion. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The African‘s editorial policy. This magazine does not speak for any political leader or government.

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Daniel Adebiaye Dossou is a Beninese business consultant and a university lecturer who has penned three outstanding books prefaced by renowned scholars of his country. They include: “Management & Organisation du Travail du Cadre Dirigeant (Management & Organization of the Leading Cadre, 300 pages); “Pratique Ethique & Management Socialement Responsable” (Socially-Responsible Ethical Practices and Management, 300 pages).  Le Management de l’Ethique et de la Responsabilité Sociale des Entreprises: Problématique Sociétale et Culturelle (Management of Ethics and the Social Responsibility of Businesses: Societal and Cultural Problematic).