Leadership for Impact: The call for responsibility & Visionary Leadership

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch

Not long ago, while in conversation with an investor in Ethiopia, I suggested some basic, tangible Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives—things like installing toilets in underserved schools, sponsoring community clean-ups, or funding inclusive local projects.

To my surprise, he chuckled and replied, “There’s nothing like a good whisky for the holidays—and a pocket full of cash to decision-makers to win over the community.”

I paused. This was a well-traveled, well-educated individual, and yet, the pride in that shortcut logic left me shaken. It wasn’t the first time I’d encountered this mindset. And sadly, it likely won’t be the last.

🌍 A Personal Journey Through Systems

In my own life and career—spanning over 25 years—I’ve walked through boardrooms in the wealthiest nations, and sat in mud-floor meeting rooms in emerging markets. From U.S. banks to Ethiopian fintech startups, from public-private partnerships to grassroots startup, I’ve held space with decision-makers across the spectrum.

I’ve worked within and alongside private sector companies, development agencies, NGOs, public institutions, MSMEs, and donor-funded ventures. My work has taken me to coastal towns, remote highlands, capital cities, and conference rooms full of jargon yet empty of community. And one thing remains consistent:
👉🏽 There is a dangerous gap between managing for profit and leading for purpose.

Too many people wear the title of “leader” while their actions reflect transactional management, devoid of vision for the community or planet they operate in. My own calling—and sometimes struggle—has been to challenge that gap, and invite organizations to see beyond the quarterly report and into legacy, justice, and impact.

🔄 Managers vs. Leaders: A Truth I’ve Witnessed

In Ethiopia and throughout my career, I’ve seen how “manager” and “leader” are often used interchangeably—but they couldn’t be more different.

Managers plan, control, and coordinate.
Leaders inspire, develop, and transform.

In my consulting work, I’ve had to spend more time than I wanted coaching Owners, CEOs, CFOs, and COOs—many of whom excel at managing KPIs, but lack the mindset or soul for real leadership.

Leadership, I’ve found, is not about charisma. It’s about consciousness. It’s about asking:

• Who benefits from this decision?
• Who is left out?
• What legacy are we creating for our children’s children?

🌱 Social Entrepreneurship: My Mission and Belief

I’ve dedicated much of my life to nurturing and advocating for social entrepreneurship. These are businesses—private or nonprofit—that exist not just to make money, but to solve real community challenges sustainably.

True social enterprises:
✔ Identify root issues in health, education, livelihoods, or environment
✔ Design business models around real solutions
✔ Generate revenue and build dignity
✔ Shift power back to communities

But even these enterprises need more than ideas. They need leaders—those willing to live their truth and build for more than profit

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📖 A Lesson From the Field

I remember working with a young entrepreneur who wanted to bring solar lighting to rural schools. He had the funding, the tech partner, and community demand. But he lacked a grounding CSR approach. His first instinct was to “drop the product,” take photos, and move on.

Instead, I challenged him to host listening sessions with the schoolteachers, local leaders, and students. What emerged was a co-designed solar lab powered by students, maintained by local technicians, and integrated into curriculum. That is responsible leadership. That is the shift I fight for.

🧭 Responsible Leadership: The Standard We Need

The UN Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative defines responsible leadership as:

“…the art of motivating, communicating, empowering, and convincing people to engage with a new vision of sustainable development and the necessary change that this implies.”

To me, responsible leadership means:

• Acting as a bridge between profit and purpose
• Making decisions in the interest of workers, clients, the environment, and future generations
• Building a brand, a company, a life that the community is proud to claim as their own

🪞 How  Industry Standards & Where We Stand

The world is catching on. Here’s the data to prove it:

• 63% of global consumers believe CEOs should lead on societal change — not wait for government (Edelman Trust Barometer, 2024).
• 91% of business leaders say their company has a responsibility to act on environmental and social issues — yet only 56% have a CSR strategy in place (PwC).
• Across Africa, 93% of executives acknowledge ESG’s importance, but less than 30% report having formal mechanisms for impact (McKinsey).
• Globally, over 20,000 businesses have joined the UN Global Compact, aligning with sustainability and human rights principles.

So the will exists. The question is—who will lead it? 

So I leave you with the question I often pose to my clients:

Do you consider yourself a visionary leader? Or are you a managing someone else’s legacy while denying your own?

Leadership is not a title. It’s a daily choice.
It begins with self-awareness. With truth-telling. With courage.

And yes—it starts with me and you, in being the change we seek.

Let’s lead with responsibility. Let’s build what lasts.

By Dutchess @Deldeyoch