We have a shortage of empathetic leadership
Opinion
By
Mutahi Mureithi
| Nov 30, 2025
Our leadership - both corporate and political - are generally full of hubris. They go through life with a saviour complex, believing the world would come to a halt if they fell dead.
Of course there are a few outliers - at least in the corporate world - who buck the trend, true leaders, who have carved a name for themselves for posterity.
Dr Martin Oduor Otieno is one off these trailblazers. In his book launched recently - The Humanised Leader - Dr Otieno lays down some tenets that define a good leader, and, unlike many business books, he gives practical examples of what leadership entails.
The tome covers his time as CEO of Barclays Bank, his stint as a key pillar of President Moi’s ‘Dream Team’ and his service on several Boards. He says even when he’s sat in these ‘big’ chairs one must keep in mind that it is not about the position: “its what you do in the seat that counts.”
In the book, he talks about his relationship with his driver, his PA and even the tea girl, all of whom he had built a rapport as human beings, not his minions.
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I can bet my last coin that many leaders do not even acknowledge the tea girl. Their drivers are faceless individuals - nay automatons - who do nothing except going where they are told.
I have known a few politicians and business people who would have benefitted from the lessons in this book.
I will give you two instances of my contact with certain leaders and you be the judge whether they displayed some of the traits laid out in this excellent book.
I once visited Chris Kirubi’s office as a business journalist seeking to interview the legendary tycoon. I was impressed with his beautiful penthouse office and, on entering, I complimented him on his taste - leather seats, a table draped in the best Italian leather, fine art on the walls, several mobile phones (back then when owning a mobile phone was a sign that you had arrived) - the whole shebang.
“Sit down young man,” he shot back after I told him how impressed I was.
“What do you expect of me? We are the Captains of industry in this town.” Well, a “thank you, have a seat” would have sufficed but not from Kirubi.
Another time, I attended an interview for a job at a listed company. The interview went well until I was asked to state my salary expectations. I mentioned what I thought would be a reasonable figure.
The panel of five fell silent. After a pregnant pause, someone asked me to repeat the figure. I did. Then all hell broke loose.
The head honcho broke out in a guffaw that rocked him to the bone. The others followed suit. The only lady in the room - the head of HR - remained silent.
I think she was still digesting what I had said because, after a pause, I heard a shrill laugh emanating from her corner that went on forever.
She was completely doubled down in laughter. One of the fellows laughed so hard that he had to fish out his handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away his tears lest we drown in the deluge likely to follow. I almost fled the scene.
After the merriment subsided, the chief interviewer, in between chuckles, explained to me - while wagging his finger at the rest of the team - that “none of these people you see here earns anywhere near what you are asking for”.
They gave me the job but at a third of what I had asked for. But did they have to laugh so hard about it? What is the moral of the story?
I am not too sure either but, perhaps we shall go back to Dr Oduor’s insightful book and find an appropriate quote.
“I believe you can be a good [leader] and still be human. The world doesn’t need more genius tyrants”.