Freetown: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Madam Francess Piagie Alghali, has challenged prevailing notions of success, urging young individuals to anchor their lives in purpose rather than personal ambition. Serving as guest speaker at the launch of “Different Kind of Power,” a new book by Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Kadijatu Grace Kamara, Alghali stated that fulfillment emerges not solely from individual joy but from the intersection of personal passion and collective need.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Madam Alghali addressed an audience at the Foreign Service Academy, describing purpose as a journey beginning with small steps. She emphasized the importance of identifying unique gifts and remarked that true purpose is found at the intersection of personal joy and the world’s need. Alghali encouraged youth to seek out problems demanding solutions, assuring them that clarity arrives through sustained engagement. She highlighted Dr. Kadijatu’s journey, noting her contributions across creative arts, film, fashion, and now literature, emphasizing that these endeavors have helped her find meaning and contribute uniquely to the world.
The book, “Different Kind of Power,” tackles the subject of leadership, often misconstrued as titles or authority. Madam Alghali observed that genuine leadership runs deeper, involving the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide others toward shared goals. She explained that it requires courage, humility, and prioritizing the needs of others over personal ambitions. Kadijatu’s work offers a redefinition centered on empathy, courage, and quiet strength, adding a compelling voice to contemporary discourse.
Reflecting on her career, Deputy Minister Alghali outlined three guiding principles: leading by example, communicating openly, and investing in people. She stressed the importance of adaptability, resilience, and empathy in navigating change, noting that these qualities can help institutions not only survive but thrive during transformations.
The Deputy Minister expressed confidence that Kadijatu’s book would significantly contribute to discussions on leadership, women’s leadership, and change management.
Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation, Madam Josephine Kamara, emphasized reconsidering how leaders wield influence. She advocated for a leadership style rooted in quiet confidence, contrasting it with performative power dynamics. Kamara challenged attendees to embrace a leadership style that values depth of connection over loud demands.
Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Chairperson of the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, commended Dr. Kamara’s work for challenging traditional leadership notions. He framed it as a call to service, integrity, and inclusivity, highlighting its importance for examining governance systems and women’s challenges in rigid authority structures.
Dr. Kadijatu Grace Kamara described her book as a challenge to rethink leadership entirely. Approved by the U.S. Congress and aligned with international standards, the book explores empathy, service, and quiet strength as transformative tools. Kamara argued for leadership defined by listening, inspiration, unity, and healing rather than domination.
Kamara shared her inspiration, drawing from personal experience and a South African film, to articulate a ‘different kind of power’ rooted in soft strength and gratitude. She urged a shift from self-serving leadership to a model of integrity, service, and accountability, emphasizing the need to prepare the next generation.
Professor Teddy Musa praised Dr. Kamara’s work as a timely contribution, advocating for influence built on service and human connection. Musa highlighted the book’s unique blend of memoir and case-based storytelling, offering a constructive pathway forward for leaders seeking purpose and ethical governance.