Leadership coffee on a Tuesday.

Literally, the French might call this ‘café de leadership un mardi’ – Leadership coffee on a Tuesday. I heard feedback that made me reflect on my leadership stance (at the time!). It as cool, constructive and well-meaning with praises, but I couldn’t help not comparing how I was leading in another aspects or organization. In AfroUK parenting, I am extra soft and supportive because parenting is hard, and we need to be kind to each other. In NDUK, I am firm and formal, giving all due respect to my once-in-a-lifetime GMC number. At work, I believe that I am a blend of both. In entrepreneurship, I add a 'dash of Dangote'. At home, I more than a blend of soft and firm as I adapt every day to the circumstances, the way a chameleon adapts to its environment in other to survive and thrive.

Don’t ask me why I thought about coffee but imagine your leadership style as your favorite brew. Some days it's strong and bold because you need to push hard for change, other days it's smooth and mellow because it is the best approach. Just like mixing coffee and cream, our strengths and weaknesses blend together to create a unique flavor that's distinctly ours.

Leadership is all about blending strengths and weaknesses. Leadership isn't about being perfect; it's about mixing your best and worst attributes. Your strengths are like robust coffee beans, providing a strong foundation. Your weaknesses, the cream, smooth things out, adding a touch of vulnerability and authenticity. Together, they create a balanced and approachable leadership style. In the same way there are different flavors of coffee, there are different styles of leadership. Check this out!

• The Espresso Leader: Intense, focused, and full of energy. This leader thrives in high-pressure situations and is great at making quick decisions.

• The Latte Leader: Smooth, approachable, and nurturing. This leader excels at building strong relationships and creating a supportive team environment.

• The Cappuccino Leader: A balanced blend of intensity and smoothness. This leader can switch between being firm and being understanding, adapting to the needs of their team.

• The Iced Coffee Leader: Cool, calm, and collected. This leader handles stress with ease and maintains a relaxed atmosphere even in challenging times.
  

Now, I love adding sugar or honey to my brew. I love mixing coffee and cocoa to create that mocha flavor. But here's where it gets interesting. What if we add a little extra? A dash of toffee syrup, a sprinkle of cinnamon – these are the feedback, evaluation, mentors, colleagues, and experiences that spice up our leadership journey. Sometimes, that extra support opens up a new taste or style we never considered. Maybe it's a piece of advice from a seasoned leader or a new perspective from a junior colleague. These "extras" can transform our leadership blend in ways we never imagined.

How do you go about exploring your leadership flavor? How would you adapt each version of your leadership style to be more meaningful to the different phases of your life and career? As we grow and evolve, so does our perfect cup of coffee. You might start as an Espresso Leader in your early career, then transition to a Latte Leader as you gain more experience and prioritize relationship-building. You might feel like a Cappuccino Leader in one project or organization, you might take a stance of a Latte Leader in the next. Embrace the mix of strengths and weaknesses, and don't shy away from adding a little extra flavor now and then. After all, it’s the unique blend that makes us effective, relatable, and inspiring leaders.

Let's keep this conversation brewing and share our experiences. What’s your leadership flavor today? - this can be work, home or projects.