Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), Edward Ato Sarpong, has called on young professionals and corporate executives to embrace discipline, diligence and a clear sense of purpose as the true foundations of leadership.
Speaking at Jospong Leadership Conference 2026 on Thursday, January 15, 2026, the business executive with over two decades of cross industrial experience in communication, telecommunications and finance stressed that leadership is not conferred by title or election but by results, purpose and vision.
To illustrate his point, he recounted the 2018 Thailand cave rescue, where 12 young footballers and their assistant coach were trapped underground for 17 days following heavy flooding.
According to him, survival in the cave was not driven by the adult leader but by a 14-year-old boy who kept the group hopeful and mentally strong until rescuers arrived.
“That story shows that leadership is not about age or position. It is about responsibility, influence and courage in moments of crisis,” he noted.
Ato Sarpong explained that leadership is conferred in three main ways:
through tasks accomplished, purpose that gives meaning to people, or vision that inspires action. He cited historical figures such as Barack Obama and Martin Luther King Jr., whose leadership, he said, was recognised long before they held formal power.
He further outlined three core traits required for leadership – discipline, diligence and a clear understanding of one’s destiny.
“Discipline is preparing inwardly, in silence, to perform publicly,” he said, adding that diligence and discipline are inseparable and largely missing in leadership across many institutions.
Addressing challenges within organisations, the ADB Managing Director rejected the notion that strong oversight amounts to micromanagement, arguing instead that leadership is demonstrated by example.
“You don’t empower people by absence. You empower them by showing them how decisions are made,” he explained.
Ato Sarpong also warned against what he described as three leadership crises – identity crisis, competence crisis and eminence crisis.
According to him, leaders who do not know who they are, do not know what they do not know, or feel inferior before others, are unlikely to succeed.
Reflecting on his own journey from modest beginnings to national leadership, he encouraged young people to deliberately shape their perspectives through learning, discipline and consistency.
“Leadership is not in the life you live, but in the legacy you leave,” he said.
He announced plans to support a mentorship programme for young professionals under 40, aimed at developing the next generation of leaders within the Jospong Group, adding that sustainable institutions depend on intentional leadership development.
Mr. Sarpong urged participants to rise above circumstances, embrace responsibility and remain focused on delivering results, noting that “leadership is not in the role, but in the results.”
