This piece is inspired by recent developments within a major health institution in Ghana and a thought-provoking slide by Eric Partaker on LinkedIn, shared among Ghanaian doctors on WhatsApp.
The slide listed “7 Signs of a Great CEO”—qualities such as putting people first, nurturing culture, and leading by example. Unfortunately, the health leader at the center of this story fell short on all seven.
Leadership Done Right
In its best form, leadership uplifts. Great leaders inspire, empower, and create environments where individuals and teams thrive. They understand that when people feel valued, morale soars, and results follow.
Leadership Gone Wrong
But what happens when leaders abandon these principles? Over the past decade, one health leader chose intimidation, obstruction, and cruelty over collaboration. The result was devastating.
Instead of fostering growth, he used dismissive language, issued unreasonable demands, and blocked deserving professionals from promotions and opportunities. Some staff were forced to choose between two roles, only to be denied both. The culture of disrespect and fear eroded trust, crushed morale, and turned a once-motivated team into a discouraged, resentful workforce.
The Human and Organizational Toll
The effects went far beyond individuals. Innovation slowed. Enthusiasm vanished. Facilities that once brimmed with energy descended into frustration and underperformance. For many, the only way forward was to resign, take unpaid leave, or seek better opportunities abroad.
Eventually, the leader’s oppressive style collapsed under its own weight. He has since left the position, leaving behind an organization struggling to recover from nearly a decade of lost potential.
The Lesson
The message is clear: leadership by fear is unsustainable. Real success requires respect, integrity, and the nurturing of talent. Cruelty may yield short-term compliance, but it destroys morale, careers, and ultimately, the institution itself.
True leaders build people. False leaders break them. The cost of cruelty—measured in broken spirits and wasted potential—is one no organization can afford.
