Bold Leadership and the Power of Execution

Module One of the Women Directors Leadership Programme (WDLP) took place between March 2nd and 6th, 2026, at the Strathmore Business School in Nairobi under the theme “The Visionary Director: Mastering Self Insights, Governance and Bold Execution.”

Throughout the week, participants engaged in a series of sessions. The sessions included Strategic Storytelling for Executives, The Courageous Leader – Overcoming Barriers and Optimizing Performance, and Leading with Purpose: Navigating Ethical Complexity. Others include Mastering Critical Thinking and Decision Making, Sustainable Stewardship and the ESG Landscape, and The Governance Interface: Harmonizing Board Oversight and Executive Management. The sessions also included coaching sessions, case preparations, and “Red Thread” sessions, where participants engaged in a series of sessions aimed at weaving together the various modules of the course to enhance their leadership skills.

A key highlight from the Programme was a guest speaker session by Kariuki Ngari, the outgoing Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited and Africa, where the participants were given a new perspective on the realities of leadership during a guest lecture

Kariuki shared his views on the most common misconception in leadership and management: the idea that organizational success results from a solid organizational strategy. However, in most cases, the truth is quite the opposite. Most organizations have access to excellent strategies, often with the help of consultants and management firms. The problem is not in the strategies; it is in their execution. “Companies rarely fail because of strategy,” Ngari said during the lecture. “The real difficulty is execution.”

A successful leader must first be clear about their goals and objectives before developing a strategy. However, most organizations do not have the time or the will to establish their priorities. Instead, the strategies become increasingly complex as the board and stakeholders add more ideas and objectives.

Rather, Ngari focused on the significance of bold execution, an essential characteristic of successful leaders who are able to achieve their plans. Transformational change, for example, may demand that the leader take courageous action that breaks norms.

To support his argument, Ngari cited the example of the public transport reforms in Kenya, which reduced matatus’ capacity. Although the move was criticized at the time, it was for the best, as it reduced accidents and saved lives. The example was cited to demonstrate the power that bold leadership can achieve when the leader is courageous enough to take the bull by the horns, despite opposition from the public.

In addition, Ngari cited the significance of getting the people on board in the change process. The leader cannot assume that the ideas are good enough and that the team will therefore buy into the idea. Rather, the leader must take the time to convince the team.

“In every organization, you will find a small group ready to move immediately, another group watching to see what happens, and a third group that resists the change.”

At the heart of this was the leader’s relationship with their team. Ngari emphasized the need to invest time in people, to build trust, and to ensure alignment to a shared vision. By taking the time to win the confidence of their team, leaders can establish an environment where problems can be solved collectively rather than individually.

At the heart of it, Ngari argued that leadership was an art of persuasion. There was a need to continue to communicate the vision to others and to persuade them to move in a particular direction.

Ngari’s comments resonated with the programme’s overall theme, “The Visionary Director: Mastering Self Insights, Governance and Bold Execution.” The session was a touching reminder to the WDLP participants that, at the board and senior executive levels, leadership was not only about vision but also about having the courage, clarity, and persuasion to deliver that vision.

The Women Directors Leadership Programme (WDLP) continues to empower women leaders to reach greater heights by providing them with the know-how and practical skills they need to excel in boardrooms and top management positions. By shifting the conversation from women on boards to women leading with impact, authenticity, and excellence, the programme is revolutionizing women’s leadership and transforming organizational governance. Learn more about this Programme here

Article by Miriam Wafula