In 2001, I was working as a leader at an organization called Oxfam Great Britain. I was a liaison Officer and was in charge of the Maputo office. Since the office was small, I decided to become a leader; a driver, logistics person because there was no other vacancy or funds to support another person. Since I needed the Job experience, I didn’t find any problem multitasking, what I wanted is to ensure that the office was running and managed smoothly.
In this process, we had a regional meeting which took place in Pretoria. For the Ice breaker, we had to share how we prepare our preferred dish. My own was MAPATA (cassava leaves). My presentation was meant to be in English, and my spoken and written English were weak. As a leader of the Maputo – Mozambique office, I had to accept the challenge of sharing the recipe.
As a leader I gained courage; the fear was there, but I had to deal with it. I used my hands, legs and my entire body to explain how to go to the field to cut wood, set up the fire, pound peanuts and cassava leaves, prepare the coconut, cook it, and serve it for the family.
I did sweat, I really did sweat but as a leader with language challenges I had to move on to encourage others, to set faith and strength to do it.
Guess what? I managed and that was the start of my leadership with humility.
Why True Leaders Keep Learning – And Lead with Humility
My name is Alice Banze Naietiane. I’m a Mozambican woman, mother, wife, activist, leader, friend and partner. I can go on and on to say what I am and what I can be depending on the environment, context, and objective. All the above-mentioned does not change who I am; the simpler you can be as a leader, the better. You can also decide and choose to be a leader with humility, those characteristics or style of leadership will not stop you from being a good leader.
In one hand, people think that being humble is not having sufficient skills to lead, no, not at all. On the other hand, leadership is often viewed as a position of authority, where you can do whatever pleases you as a leader; they even go beyond that to think that it’s a title, or a set of responsibilities. Yet, the essence of true leadership goes far beyond being a line manager, or in case you allow me to say it, being a BOSS. No, it is a continuous journey of growth, reflection, and service (when you lead, you are serving others and yourself).
Leaders who genuinely impact their organizations, communities, and the world understand two essential truths: One, leadership requires, patience, lifelong learning, and two, humility is the foundation of influence.
Therefore, a leader or a true leader must keep learning to catch up, to be updated on the different styles, especially in a world defined by rapid change, complexity, and uncertainty. Leaders who stop learning risk stagnation, therefore they are left behind. When you lead with humility you die for yourself, you forget your ego, consequently, if you do so you achieve trust and long-term success.
The Keep Learning Mindset
If you believe that leadership is not a static skill, you will work very hard to change the business-as-usual strategies, knowledge, and behaviors that worked yesterday. You will adapt yourself and those surrounding you to embrace change and not fear it. You will see change as a non-negotiable approach because if you snooze, you will lose.
As a leader, I have learned that although I live in a patriarchal society where there is power relation between men and women and the cultural norms are rooted within the society, at some point, I have to be willing to challenge these norms and be at the forefront to shift cultural norms. The trends in economic demand and lack of funds require and demand flexibility and agility. These are some factors that influence why I choose to be a leader who keeps learning in order to anticipate change and respond proactively.
Looking for good decisions that can inspire and empower who follow you
While leading, I faced severe challenges, but I did not give up, neither did I quit, I’m not a quitter. I decided to always study the environment, the context and to see the trends and the opportunities, to learn from my mistakes and adapt all into better, confident and clear decisions, while sharing with my team or teams without being ashamed. As a leader, you need to share with your team that you are also in the process of learning many things which will help you to cultivate the ability to think critically, evaluate options, and act decisively.
I always try to ensure that I get closer to my team so I can know them very well in order for me to set up leadership strategies that will make them feel comfortable. I create an environment in which they need to understand that one day they can become leaders. In this regard, this is an inspirational leadership strategy which awakens the curiosity and growth inside their inner man. It also encourages them to improve their skills, be innovative, pursue knowledge and create a culture of learning.
After so many challenges I have learned that as a leader you must be open to receiving criticism even if it is a negative one. You need to be a problem solver, a solution-oriented leader, and not a problem runner who runs away from problems. By doing so, where others are seeing obstacles, I see opportunities created by those obstacles, challenges and crisis. I became resilient and forward looking. Remember, if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you strong.
The Power of Humility in Leadership
While learning equips leaders with knowledge and insight, humility determines how that knowledge is applied. Humility is not weakness—it is strength, perspective, and self-awareness. Humble leaders understand that leadership is not about ego, power, or recognition; it is about service, guidance, and growth. Humility helps me to build trust and respect. I am always open to recognizing my mistakes as a leader so I can gain and learn from my team. This can only happen when they always feel safe and confident to share their ideas, challenge some assumptions and contribute to discussions openly and actively, with no fear of being punished. It allows for more collaboration, growth and learning within my team.
While leading with humility, I have improved my communication skills, my team felt valued and constructed and our relationship as a team did grow and we became more united.
As I finalize my contribution, I would like to share one from few action steps which helps me to lead the way I do, of course it is important to recognize that there are challenges to face but there are opportunities and learnings resulting from those challenges.
Dedicate 15 Minutes a Day to Learning
This can be through a book or listening to a podcast or having a conversation with someone whom you admire in leadership and not necessary from your circle. It is important to acknowledge what you don’t know as a leader. You can choose to evaluate yourself by choosing an area where you feel you need to strengthen. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Create the ability to reflect and apply wisdom to implement what you have learned. Learning without applying limits its impact.
Take away
True leadership is a delicate balance of knowledge and character. Leaders who embrace lifelong learning remain adaptable, insightful, and innovative. Those who lead with humility build trust, foster collaboration, and inspire loyalty. Together, these traits create leaders who are not just effective in their roles, but transformative for their organizations, communities, and the people they serve. Leadership is not about knowing everything or being the loudest voice. It is about growing continuously, serving authentically, and lifting others as you climb. The leaders who leave a lasting impact are those who keep learning and never let pride overshadow purpose.
About the Author
Alice Abanze is a social scientist, activist, and advocate for gender justice with over three decades of experience in Africa’s development sector. Her work has been defined by a deep commitment to advancing equity, leadership, and sustainable change across the continent. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Women’s Academic for Africa and Commissioner on Mozambique’s Electoral Commission. I am a founder of the African Women Leadership Network – AWLN in Mozambique and have held senior roles with Oxfam GB, GSDA and other international organizations. Her work spans governance, peacebuilding, SRHR, and sustainable development. She is the author of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Gender Protocol 2014 Barometer Mozambique Country Barometer, the AfricanWomen’s Protocol: Harnessing a Potential Force for Positive Change and Child Marriage inMozambique, published by Gender Links in 2019. She advises global and regional institutions, and her writing addresses issues like child marriage and gender equality. She also academic qualifications in Social Studies, Electoral Policy, and Law, and remains committed to transformative leadership.
One Comment
Very insightful story and truly leadership is about constantly learning, the more knowledge you have the easier it becomes for you to lead with impact.