On Cue with Kafui Dey: Why the future belongs to leaders who can communicate

Picture this: two leaders walk into a room. One has the latest MBA, a CV longer than a Nollywood movie script, and an entourage that could fill a football stadium.

The other? Just a microphone, a confident smile, and the ability to string words together so clearly that even the back row feels seen. Guess who leaves with the crowd in their pocket? Spoiler alert: it’s the communicator.

In Africa (and beyond), we love to celebrate brains, titles, and balance sheets. But let’s be honest—what really moves people is not how many degrees you’ve collected like business cards, but whether you can communicate in a way that inspires, educates, or even entertains.

The future, my friends, belongs to leaders who can do more than read PowerPoint slides without making the audience check WhatsApp.

Communication: the real currency of leadership

Let’s face it—leadership is not about sitting at the head of the boardroom table or having your portrait hung in every office corridor. Leadership is about influence. And influence is built on communication.

Think of Nelson Mandela. He didn’t just lead with policy; he led with words that cut through decades of division. Or Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who can hold global audiences spellbound with a single story. Communication is how leaders bridge the gap between vision and reality, between “what we could be” and “what we are today.”

And before you think this is just for presidents and novelists—no. This is for you, the project manager in Nairobi, the startup founder in Lagos, the civil servant in Accra. Wherever you are, your ability to communicate will determine whether your ideas fly or flop like a broken Wi-Fi connection.

Why the future rewards the talkers (who walk the talk)

Let’s be clear: we’re not talking about empty talk. Africa has already suffered enough long-winded speeches that could put a lion to sleep. The future belongs to leaders who can take complex ideas and make them simple. Leaders who can make their teams understand not just the “what” but the “why.” Leaders who can win investors with a pitch that makes them forget their skepticism and open their wallets.

Technology is accelerating this reality. In a world of Zoom calls, TikTok reels, and 280-character policies on X (formerly Twitter), communication is no longer optional. It is the frontline. If you can’t hold attention, you’ll be muted—literally and figuratively.

The Pan-African advantage

Here’s the good news: we Africans are natural communicators. From griots in West Africa to storytellers around the fire in East Africa, from the drum languages of Central Africa to the expressive gestures of the South, communication is in our DNA.

But in the modern corporate jungle, it takes practice to turn that natural flair into leadership gold. That means learning how to tailor your message for different audiences, choosing clarity over jargon, and sprinkling just the right amount of humour so people lean in rather than log out.

So, how do you get there?

1. Tell stories, not just statistics – Numbers are fine, but stories stick. The next time you present, don’t just quote GDP growth. Tell us about Ama, who started a cocoa farm and sent her kids to school. Suddenly, the numbers have a heartbeat.
2. Listen twice as much as you speak – Ironically, great communicators are often great listeners. If you want to lead the future, make people feel heard. Remember: communication is a two-way street, not a monologue.
3. Practice in small conversations – You don’t become a great communicator only on stage. Start in everyday chats—with colleagues, clients, even your Uber driver. Each conversation is a chance to practice clarity, empathy, and persuasion.
4. Sprinkle humour like suya spice – Not too much, not too little. Just enough to make people lean forward instead of scrolling their phones under the table.

Final word

The future is noisy, fast, and unpredictable. The leaders who will thrive are not those with the biggest budgets or fanciest titles. They are the ones who can cut through the noise with clarity, connect across cultures with empathy, and inspire action with confidence.

In short, the future belongs to leaders who can communicate. And if you’re still reading this—congratulations. You’re already on your way.

>>> Kafui Dey helps professionals to communicate their ideas clearer. For coaching, call 233 240 299 122 or email [email protected]

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