President and Founder of the Ashesi University has shared a number of traits needed to become an effective leader.

Speaking on YFM’s Leaderboard Series,he highlighted the qualities of Vision, Humility,Planning, Discipline and Trustworthiness as traits needed to carry the mantle of leadership.

Patrick Awuah Jr. advised that to work your way up to the top, one needs a vision and a purpose. “In whatever project you are going to do, envision what you are trying to accomplish. Playing that vision in your mind is very important. That will train your mind to look for the hurdles and challenges and overcome them”, he said.

He also noted that to be successful, one needed to cultivate the qualities of trustworthiness by displaying good work ethics and behaviour.

He exemplified his point with an experience he had when he was building Ashesi.
“When I was starting Ashesi, I went to some of my colleagues at Microsoft including former managers. I asked them to donate to a foundation that I set up. Some of the people that donated, gave not because they were sure that it would be successful.

They gave because they trusted me. One of my managers was interviewed by someone in the US media and they had asked him, ‘Why did you donate to this project?’ and he said, ‘well I wasn’t sure that it was going to work but I trusted Patrick, I know Patrick and I knew that it was going to work or he was going to die trying’. He was basically betting that I will not give up”, he said.

Patrick Awuah also in his interview revealed the fun aspects of his life that many people did not know about.

For example, he shared that he loves to read, hang out with the people he loves and listen to music when he goes for a walk.

YFM’s Rev.Erskine during this interview surprised Patrick Awuah with a special song dedicated to him from his favourite Musician, King Ayisoba. Expressing his excitement, Patrick Awuah Jr. exclaimed, “That was a fun song. I give you five stars for that”.

Programmes Manager for YFM, Eddy Blay, expressed his admiration at the energy given to the Y Leaderboard Series by fans and listeners of Y FM.

“I am delighted to observe the energy everyone gave to the interview today. From the production team, to the staff of GMABC and all the listeners of YFM, I am very grateful for the support. Patrick Awuah Jr. really gave us some inspiring words on how to become heroes in our society. He is a great leader who recognizes that we need to shape the future of our country through the youth”.

He added that listeners should expect more of these great interviews on the Y Leaderboard series.
The Y Leaderboard series focuses on providing the platform for the youth who aspire to take up leadership positions.