Miriam Mutebi, President of AORTIC-Africa, Breast Surgical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Now that I’ve officially handed over the baton, I’ve had time to pause and reflect on what this chapter taught me about leadership, teamwork, and purpose.
Serving as President of AORTIC-Africa has been a journey filled with life lessons that will stay with me long after the title change.
Here are 10:
1. Have a clear vision, and lead people toward it.
From the start, our vision was simple but ambitious: to make AORTIC more member-facing and to strengthen our role as a convener for research, education, and advocacy across Africa.
2. Collaboration is the secret sauce.
You can have the right strategy, but it takes a collective to bring it to life. The progress we made came from teamwork, not titles.
3. There’s no substitute for hard work.
Every success, from redesigning the website to launching the AORTIC Ubuntu Foundation and AORTICJournal, was born of long nights and quiet persistence. Leadership always costs you something.
4. Avoid the noise.
Along the journey, everyone will have an opinion. Listen, but don’t lose sight of your vision. Stay anchored in purpose.
5. It’s not a popularity contest.
Change is uncomfortable. Not everyone will agree with your direction. Lead anyway.
6. Take breaks and nurture yourself.
Leadership is intense, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. Family, friends, and rest are not distractions; they’re fuel.
7. Enjoy the journey.
Think of leadership as a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate small wins. Appreciate the people running beside you.
8. It’s not always your job to finish.
A mentor once told me, “It’s not your job to finish everything, only to start faithfully.” Our work plants seeds that others will water. That’s how legacy grows.
9. Build systems that outlast you.
We learned to invest in structures, not personalities, strengthening leadership pipelines, because true progress is institutional, not individual. Our progress was also powered by partnerships that cut across disciplines: policymakers, economists, clinical collaborators, all seeking to advance equitable cancer care across Africa.
10. Stay connected to your ‘why.’
My ‘why’ has always been the patients I’ve treated over the years, their courage, grace, struggles, and their stories, which have shaped every decision and fueled every effort.
BONUS Lessons:
- Diversify your partnerships. Look beyond traditional allies; engage policymakers, industry, economists, and young innovators.
- Let go with grace. Leadership is seasonal. Reflect, learn, and move forward with gratitude.
I’m deeply grateful to our Council, members, volunteers, partners, and to all who made this journey meaningful. You carried this vision with such conviction and heart.
My heart is full; proud of what we’ve built, hopeful for what’s to come.
Here’s to the next chapter of impact.”
More posts featuring Miriam Mutebi.
