By Mahmud Tim Kargbo
Servant leadership, a philosophy popularised by Robert K. Greenleaf, rests upon a simple but profound principle: leaders exist first and foremost to serve. Their legitimacy derives not from authority imposed from above but from their capacity to uplift, empower and enable others to flourish. In an era when political leadership often descends into patronage or self-preservation, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, the former National Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party and current Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, has emerged as a striking exemplar of this model. His personal history, political choices and professional conduct all resonate with the essential qualities of servant leadership.
Listening and Empathy:
Koroma’s life story is anchored in struggle and resilience. Displaced by the civil war, he grew up as a refugee, enduring interrupted schooling and repeated dislocations. Such experiences have endowed him with a rare capacity to empathise with ordinary Sierra Leoneans. He identifies with the poor and marginalised, earning the reputation of a “poor man’s lawyer.” His leadership has thus been shaped not by privilege but by proximity to hardship, sharpening his ability to listen and to connect with the grassroots.
Healing and Community Building:
A defining hallmark of servant leadership is the ability to heal divisions and restore trust. In his stewardship of the SLPP, Koroma has consistently denounced personal attacks and defamatory rhetoric, instead calling for decency, unity and mutual respect. In a political culture marred by factionalism and recrimination, he has sought to act as a reconciler, someone intent on building bridges rather than fuelling discord.
Commitment to the Growth of Others:
Servant leaders do not pursue office merely for its trappings. They measure success by the growth of others and the strengthening of institutions. Koroma demonstrated this ethos when he declined calls to contest the SLPP’s National Chairmanship. Rather than chase titles, he prioritised the stability of the party and the mentorship of younger cadres. This willingness to place institutional development above personal ambition reflects a rare discipline: he serves not to be elevated but to elevate others.
Awareness and Stewardship:
At the core of servant leadership lies stewardship, the recognition that responsibility extends far beyond the self. Koroma has embodied this both as Secretary General and as a government minister. By enforcing rules and ensuring credible internal elections, he has bolstered the SLPP’s institutional integrity. In government, particularly in the justice and mining sectors, he has championed transparency and accountability in domains long plagued by opacity and mistrust.
Foresight and Vision:
Servant leaders are custodians of vision. Koroma has consistently argued that Sierra Leone must not be defined solely by its troubled past of civil war, “blood diamonds” and Ebola. Instead, he articulates a future grounded in resilience, innovation and equitable development. This foresight, anchored in national identity and pride, positions him among a new generation of leaders determined to redefine Sierra Leone’s standing in the world.
Persuasion over Authority:
Perhaps most striking is Koroma’s preference for persuasion over coercion. He governs less through command and more through dialogue, negotiation and process. Whether steering constitutional reform or managing internal party procedures, he appeals to reason and consensus rather than to raw authority. This approach fosters trust, legitimacy and voluntary followership, the hallmarks of authentic servant leadership.
The Servant Leadership Scorecard:
Empathy : Rooted in his refugee childhood, Koroma identifies with the struggles of ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
Healing : He rejects personal attacks and prioritises party unity.
Commitment to Growth : He mentors younger party members and strengthens institutions above personal ambition.
Stewardship : He advances transparency in governance and accountability in party administration.
Foresight : He reframes Sierra Leone’s future beyond its past crises.
Persuasion : He leads by dialogue, consensus and persuasion rather than imposition.
Why Servant Leadership Matters for Sierra Leone:
In a country still grappling with the legacies of conflict, fragile institutions and public mistrust, the servant leadership model is not simply desirable but indispensable. Umaru Napoleon Koroma demonstrates how humility, service and integrity can foster confidence in governance. His life illustrates that authentic leadership is not about self-promotion but about service to others and to the nation.
His story is both a personal triumph and a national lesson. Servant leaders do not seek to be served; they seek to serve. And by serving, they inspire others to lead.
