Diversity in leadership: Aisha’s License to Lead journey
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Aisha Adan, Wasafiri’s Inclusion and Peace Senior Manager, shares her journey through the License to Lead (L2L) pilot programme. A programme designed to cultivate diverse leadership within Wasafiri.
Introduction
Recently, I had the privilege of completing Wasafiri’s License to Lead (L2L) program, a transformative experience that has significantly impacted my leadership journey.
Designed to equip emerging leaders from Africa with essential management skills, L2L has set a foundation for personal growth and professional impact.
Wasafiri launched the L2L program with a commitment to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our leadership. Recognising the gap in leadership opportunities for Africa-based staff, L2L builds critical skills in strategic decision-making, transfers institutional knowledge, and empowers employees in participatory roles.
This blog reflects on how L2L has impacted me personally and professionally.
Reflections on License to Lead and its Impact
At its core, L2L is about creating a resilient, adaptable team structure that empowers each member to play a participatory role in decision-making. This unique approach felt refreshingly aligned with Wasafiri’s principles of adaptive organisation and responsive leadership.
Through the program, I had the chance to dive into various critical topics: from business strategy to communications. Under Business Strategy, for instance, I gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to formulate and execute a strategy within an organisation and how influential leadership can drive that strategy forward. This set the stage for practical discussions on Commercial and Business Development, where I gained insight for business growth and development—skills that are crucial as we seek to make a bigger impact.
Other essential things I learned were foundational knowledge of financial management, something that is critical in project planning and ensuring accuracy in operations, and how teamwork and diverse strengths can elevate project management. Even the Communications sessions covered the art of strategic messaging, helping me align our communications with Wasafiri’s goals to build trust and clarity both internally and externally.
One of the standout aspects of L2L was its emphasis on leadership agility. The program encouraged me to think on my feet, understand various perspectives, and make collaborative decisions.
This training has already made an impact on my role; I’ve taken on complex projects that required adaptive thinking and the ability to balance diverse team dynamics. The positive feedback from colleagues on these projects has been a meaningful reminder of how far I’ve come, as well as how much potential the L2L program has unlocked in me.
Personal growth
One of the program’s biggest gifts has been a new sense of confidence. I’ve become more comfortable in navigating complex situations, contributing to strategic discussions, and trusting my instincts in leadership roles. It has fundamentally shifted my mindset to one that is adaptable and resilient, which I believe will serve me in any future role or challenge.
Looking forward, I’m excited to carry these skills with me as I take on greater leadership responsibilities. As someone who aspires to drive impactful, sustainable development, I know that my L2L experience will continue to guide me. As the founder of a nonprofit, the lessons learned here—from strategy development to financial planning—are not only valuable to Wasafiri but are also transferable to any future initiatives I pursue.
I am truly grateful to Wasafiri for this invaluable opportunity and for the strong focus on DEI, which has opened doors for African and Africa-based staff to move into senior roles. I’m also deeply appreciative of the support from my colleagues, especially Alex, Chiara, Stuart, George, and Stella, who encouraged me throughout this journey.
As I look ahead, I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and contributing to initiatives that lead to positive change.