In the Cut Leadership Conversation… 1 Year Later
A year ago this month, I launched my In the Cut Leadership Conversation series and had the good fortune of speaking with Sena Kwawu and Tsitsi Hampton. One of the questions I ask of all the leaders I interview is, “It’s a year from now, what are you celebrating?”
I recently caught up with Tsitsi and Sena to see how they did with that!
Sena
Sena holds equally the skills of an operator and innovator and has put them to good use over his impressive career in high growth and mature public companies. His transformational leadership instincts started in Ghana and have benefited global teams and the customers they serve. At whatever table Sena has a seat, expect that his contributions will matter today and for many days to follow.
“I keep my vision messages bite-sized with no more than 3-5 elements for ease in understanding. ”
Last March when I asked Sena about his leadership superpower, he said that given his 3-nation foundation – Ghana, Kenya and the United States – he knows what he is up against when presenting complex issues. He must be clear in his communication or he will be dismissed.
Over the years, he learned to craft a very simple way of talking about his vision and how the team needs to execute against it without it being lost in translation. He keeps it bite-sized, no more than 3-5 elements, making it harder to get his message contorted. It makes gaining alignment easy and the work doesn’t seem overwhelming.
Last March Sena also shared with me that in a year, he’d like to be celebrating another trip to somewhere sunny! After all, he lives in the Pacific Northwest and anyone there totally appreciates the power of that!
This March, Sena spent 3 weeks in Ghana! He shared that being in Ghana revitalizes him as a person. It’s not only liberating and freeing, it’s his home. It is where he was made and the place from whence he came and it continues to mold and sustain him. Being away for as long as he has caused some cracks that only the sun, wind and smells of Ghana can heal.
Being home also gave him the opportunity to be part of a “return home” journey that his daughter has been doing since 2022. This trip allows him to help her on this phase of her reconnection to the motherland.
Ah, I feel all of that, Sena. I recently traveled to Egypt and can hardly wait for my first trip to western Africa where my motherland roots are. As my ancestors said, “soon come” a trip to Nigeria and Cameroon!
Tsitsi
Tsitsi built her career in retail as a buyer and merchandiser charged with creating collections for companies including Lane Bryant, the May Merchandising Company and J.C. Penney. Leading product development initiatives from concept to commercialization, she collaborates with domestic and global cross-functional teams to ensure brand integrity and achieve financial goals.
“I’m comfortable saying what needs to be said, when it needs to be said and how it needs to be said.”
Last year, Tsitsi shared that an important leadership moment was learning the importance of taking on an issue head on. After making a mistake she leaned into what she knew was right, treating others as she wanted to be treated. This informed her leadership style in that she’s very direct and honest about things that need to be said, whether it’s comfortable or not. As a result, people have shared with her that even though they may not have wanted to receive the message she shared, they appreciated and respected the way that she did.
One year ago, Tsitsi shared that she wanted to be celebrating her daughter getting into the college of her choice, that will be the right fit for her.
Tsitsi sent a note this month telling me that she IS celebrating her daughter’s acceptance into several universities already, as well as her direct admission to her school of choice for her planned major. She went on to say that the college application process is grueling and extremely competitive. As a result, the process instilled in her daughter the importance of having GRIT and perseverance – traits that are imperative to be successful and excel at anything. Tsitsi is grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead for her daughter, and immensely proud of her.
Knowing Tsitsi very well, I’m declaring right now that the fruit didn’t fall far from the tree! Congratulations to you, Tsitsi, and that brilliant daughter of yours! I’ll be there for her high school graduation!