On Cue with Kafui Dey: Lessons in leadership from hosting two thousand (2,000) events

After you’ve hosted more than 2,000 events, you learn a few things about microphones, human behavior, and why event programs hardly ever start on time in Ghana. But beyond the laughter, late arrivals, and last-minute “protocol changes,” there are serious lessons about leadership hidden in the world of events.

Here are five that stand out.

 Preparation is half the battle

No MC walks into an event saying, “Let’s see what happens.” If you do, you’ll soon be asking the DJ to play music while you figure out what’s going on.

Leaders, like MCs, must prepare. The best CEOs I’ve seen at conferences know their audience, their message, and their timing. Preparation doesn’t guarantee perfection, but it prevents disasters.

As the old saying goes: “If you fail to prepare, prepare to be trending on Twitter for the wrong reasons.”

Flexibility is the other half

Now, you can prepare for weeks—but the moment a guest speaker is stuck in traffic on the George Bush Highway, your plan is out the window. That’s when leadership becomes improvisation.

At one event, a keynote speaker was delayed by two hours. Two hours! Instead of panic, we reshuffled the program, engaged the audience, and kept the energy alive until he arrived. That’s leadership in action: stay calm, adapt quickly, and never let your audience see you sweat.

Because in Ghana, something will go wrong. The power may go off. The microphone may die. Or the “special guest” may suddenly become “the late guest.” Leaders who succeed are those who bend without breaking.

 Respect is non-negotiable

When you’re on stage, you see it all—the executives who listen attentively, the ones who whisper during speeches, and the few who believe their phone call is more important than the occasion.

As an MC, I’ve learned that treating everyone with respect, from the chairman of the board to the usher at the door, creates trust. The same applies to leadership. People follow leaders who respect them, not those who belittle them.

Respect doesn’t cost airtime, but it pays dividends.

Communication is leadership’s best tool

A microphone is just a piece of metal. It’s the words—and the way you deliver them—that move people.

Leadership is 80% communication. If you can’t articulate your vision clearly, no one will follow you. And shouting doesn’t help (as I wrote earlier this week!).

Great leaders speak with clarity, confidence, and connection. They know when to use humor, when to pause, and when to inspire. Hosting events has taught me that audiences may forget your exact words, but they never forget how you made them feel.

 The show is not about you

Here’s the hardest truth every MC learns: the event is not about you. You may be holding the microphone, but your role is to serve the audience, highlight the speakers, and make the client look good.

The same lesson applies to leadership. It’s not about showing how brilliant you are. It’s about creating space for your team to shine, guiding them to succeed, and celebrating their wins.

When a leader shifts focus from self to service, the whole organization benefits.

Final word

After 2,000 events, I’ve realized that leadership is not so different from emceeing. Prepare like your reputation depends on it. Stay flexible when the program (inevitably) changes. Respect every person in the room. Communicate with clarity. And remember—it’s never about you.

If you apply these lessons, you won’t just lead your organization. You’ll host the greatest event of all: a future where people trust, follow, and celebrate your leadership.

And who knows? After 2,000 more events, I may have a few extra lessons to add. Hopefully by then, we’ll also have every event that actually starts on time.

>>>Kafui Dey is a TV presenter, Corporate MC and public speaking trainer. Email him on [email protected]

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