Mr Opadokun, as the CEO of Sanlam General Insurance Nigeria Limited, how would you describe your leadership style, and how has it evolved over the years? My leadership style is quite conservative but highly involved. I believe every leader evolves with the times, though there are basic, foundational ideals that rarely change. For me, I believe in the power of a team and collaborative effort in getting the best out at all times. I like to empower my colleagues to give their best at all times without imposing a burden of fear on them. What do you believe is the most important quality in a leader, particularly in the insurance industry, and why? A good leader must command respect by simply being. This must not be because of the title or position you hold, no. You don’t force respect, you earn it by being empathetic, highly visionary and motivational. This is more so in our industry, where we all have a long history of having worked with or for one another at some point in our careers. What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced since taking up the role of CEO at Sanlam General Insurance Nigeria Limited, and how did you manage these challenges? The COVID-19 period was by all means very challenging. It required a lot of innovative and nimble management of staff as we all have to work remotely. However, as a strategic, adaptable and technologically driven organisation, we came out stronger and we were able to meet our targets and profitability for the period. What strategies have you implemented to ensure that Sanlam remains a key player in the Nigerian insurance industry? ‘Identify, employ and retain the best hands in the industry’ has been our top strategy from the outset. An organisation is only as good as the sum total of its staff. Without a strong professional staff, there is only so much a brand can achieve. At Sanlam, we seek the brightest minds to come join our workforce, and this has consistently made us stand out in everything we do. That is what has taken us to where we are today as a leading insurance company in Nigeria and the number one non-banking financial institution in Africa. BODE OPADOKUN CEO of Sanlam General Insurance Nigeria Limited LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE IN INSURANCE CEO Today Africa Awards 2024 - NIGERIA - - 39 -
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