Authentic Leadership: Lessons from Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré

Key Takeaways

• Authentic leadership begins with humanity: Ambassador Diendéré introduces himself first as Bryan's father, reminding us that true leadership is not defined by titles, but by our ability to remain human and put ourselves in service to others.

• African youth is the transformative force of the continent: Africa's Gen Z – connected, bold, and refusing the status quo – possesses the energy and creativity needed to change Africa. Their greatest need: access to education and training to unlock their full potential.

• Africa rests on the shoulders of women: African women are at the heart of the continent's economy and stability. Investing in women's entrepreneurship and recognizing their central role is not just a matter of justice, but a necessity for Africa's development.

From Burkina Faso to the Heights of Canadian Diplomacy

Ambassador Diendéré's journey resembles learning to ride a bike, as he likes to compare it.

"The more you do it, the more you realize you're capable of moving forward."

Born in Burkina Faso, he describes his identity as a tree whose roots are deeply anchored in the Horn of West Africa, with a "North American foliage" that has developed over the years.

His Canadian experience was transformative. For the first time, he discovered diversity from a new angle – no longer ethnic, but racial.

"As long as I was in Burkina Faso, I didn't even think about my race or color," he confides.

Canada offered him this unique perspective: to look at his home continent with both pride and clear-sightedness, while becoming aware of the richness of his African identity.

A Youth That Refuses the Status Quo

Ambassador Diendéré places immense hope in what he calls Africa's "Generation Z."

This connected, bold, and creative youth who hasn't experienced certain political hardships of the past and refuses to live like their parents or older siblings. "They see the world through a smartphone and know they are not condemned to live their current situation," he explains.

For him, the greatest challenge remains access to education and training. "Everything I have between my two ears, no one can take away from me," he recalls, quoting a mentor.

And his advice is clear: "If you want to be a garbage collector, be the best garbage collector on the planet. Push your limits."

Women, the Pillars of the Continent

One of the ambassador's strongest convictions concerns the role of African women. Without hesitation, he states: "Africa rests on the shoulders of women."

His home in Addis Ababa bears witness to this, with a photo of Rebecca Cheptegei, the Kenyan athlete killed out of jealousy, displayed prominently in his living room – a constant reminder of the violence too many women endure.

But beyond this painful reality, the ambassador sees transformative power in women's entrepreneurship.

He speaks of these women who work on farms, harvest, preserve, and imagines a future where their products – dried mangoes, tamarind juice, spices – would fill the shelves of Western supermarkets, creating real economic opportunities.

Leadership in Service to Others

What makes Ambassador Diendéré unique is his conception of grassroots leadership. Far from diplomatic cocktail parties, he regularly visits Maria, a woman who runs a shelter for raped young girls in Ethiopia. "It's my place to recenter myself," he confides.

These visits are not merely symbolic: they remind us that diplomacy is also built through these simple gestures, through this presence that gives dignity and hope.

Conclusion

His final message to young people resonates like a manifesto: "Be patient, but never stop moving forward. Every journey is unique – don't try to copy others, create your own path. And above all, put yourself in service to others, because true leadership is that which elevates others."

Ambassador Ben Marc Diendéré reminds us that before being a diplomat, a strategist, or a bridge-builder, he is a deeply human man. And perhaps that is his greatest teaching: that authentic leadership begins by recognizing our common humanity and our responsibility to future generations.

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