Edward Ato Sarpong, Managing Director of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), has offered a candid look at the demands of leadership, describing it as a lonely and challenging responsibility that requires sacrifice, self-discipline, and resilience.
Speaking at the Jospong Leadership Conference 2026, Mr Sarpong emphasized that while leadership is often admired from the outside, few truly understand the personal cost it entails.
“Leadership is a very lonely exercise,” he told attendees. “You see leadership as glorious on the outside, but within, it is lonely.”
Drawing on examples from sports, corporate life, and his own experience, he highlighted the constant trade-offs leaders must make. “You think Messi didn’t want to go play with his friends? He did. But as a leader, you have responsibilities that come first,” he explained.
Mr Sarpong stressed that true leadership is defined by a willingness to take ownership in difficult moments, particularly when decisions must be made under pressure. “There are meetings where everybody is looking at you for the next decision,” he said. “Everyone is watching.”
According to him, leadership is less about giving orders and more about engaging directly with challenges—even in ways that require personal effort. He recounted occasions when senior executives assisted in tasks like reorganizing conference spaces to set an example, reinforcing the principle that no task is too small when leading by example.
Purpose, Mr Sarpong noted, is the key driver that sustains leaders through challenging and lonely periods. “Leadership is not about what you want; it is about what needs to be done,” he said.
He also cautioned that leadership carries influence, for good or ill. “Leadership is never neutral,” he said. “It either impacts people positively or negatively.”
Addressing young professionals and aspiring leaders, Mr Sarpong encouraged mental preparation for the sacrifices, pressures, and accountability inherent in leadership roles. “If you want to lead tomorrow, you must be resilient,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, he reminded participants that leadership is ultimately measured by the legacy left behind rather than personal comfort or recognition. “Leadership is not about your life,” he said. “It is about your legacy.”
This frank reflection provides a reminder that leadership demands more than ambition—it requires purpose, resilience, and a commitment to the greater good.