By Enock YEBOAH-MENSAH
Having attained the CEO status, Theorhema sat behind his desk and began to stare at the strategically positioned chessboard and wondered how his next move will play out. This chapter is not just a game; it is a metaphor for the battleground of business.
As founder and CEO of Apogee Bank, he had built the bank from the ground up and reached the pinnacle of corporate leadership. Despite the many years of successes chalked, he still felt uneasy sometimes. The Banking Industry was evolving rapidly, and traditional leadership methods were failing.
Innovation, agility, and strategic thinking were the new rules of the game. Fintech startups were disrupting the market, customer expectations were changing coupled with tightened regulations. Standing still meant falling behind.
As CEO, he had always played it safe, focusing on stability. But now, he needed to disrupt; to challenge conventions, rethink strategies, and build a team that could outmaneuver the competition. His mentor’s words echoed in his mind: “Leadership is not about moving every piece yourself. It is about knowing how to position your team for victory”. That was when it clicked that if he wanted to disrupt, he needed to lead like a grandmaster.
THE KING: The Visionary CEO
Theorhema, as the King, knew that in chess, the King is the most important piece; without it, the game results in a loss. Yet, the King is neither the fastest nor the strongest. Instead, it is the one continuously protected amidst its provision of strategic directions as well as making every move count. Theorhema’s role as CEO was not to get involved in every transaction nor operational detail. His job is to:
✅ Set the vision for the Bank
✅ Make bold strategic decisions that ensured long-term survival
✅ Surround himself with the right team who could execute his vision
Lesson: A CEO must recognize that leadership is not about moving fast—it is about moving wisely and ensuring that every move contributes to the endgame of industry dominance.
THE QUEEN: The Dynamic Managing Director (MD)
If Theorhema is the King, then his Managing Director, Sarah, is the Queen. In chess, the Queen is the most powerful piece; able to move in any direction, covering the board swiftly and efficiently. Sarah is a leader who thrives on action. She takes the CEO’s vision and makes it a reality. She:
✅ Oversees daily operations whiles keeping an eye on long-term goals
✅ Manages crises and makes quick decisions to protect the business
✅ Takes charge of high-priority projects whiles ensuring successful completion
Sarah has been instrumental in launching Apogee Bank’s first digital-only branch, mobile money integration, and AI-driven credit scoring system. Without her, the CEO’s vision would only remain an idea.
Lesson: Every disruptive leader needs a Queen; a trusted MD or second-in-command who can execute the vision with precision, power, and adaptability.
THE ROOK: The Structured Chief Operating Officer (COO)
The COO, James, is the Rook, the backbone of operations. Rooks move in straight lines, symbolizing stability, consistency, and execution. James is the master of structure. His role is to ensure that day-to-day operations are seamless, efficient, and profitable. He:
✅ Designs and enforces operational processes that keep the bank running smoothly.
✅ Ensures regulatory compliance and reduces inefficiencies.
✅Executes large-scale projects with precision, from branch expansions to cost-cutting initiatives.
Under his leadership, operational costs dropped by 30%, increasing profitability without sacrificing customer service.
Lesson: A disruptive leader needs a Rook; a COO who ensures that whiles innovation happens, the foundation remains strong and scalable.
THE BISHOP: The Forward-Thinking Business Development Head
The Head of Business Development, Asante, is the Bishop, moving diagonally across the board, representing innovation, strategic partnerships, and market expansion. Asante is responsible for growth and future-proofing the bank. He:
✅ Identifies new revenue streams, such as embedded finance and blockchain-based banking
✅ Leads strategic partnerships with fintech startups and mobile network operators
✅ Drives customer acquisition strategies through innovative digital banking products
His unconventional thinking led Apogee to expand into the e-commerce payments space, positioning the bank as a leader in merchant banking solutions.
Lesson: Every disruptive leader needs a Bishop; someone who sees growth opportunities and makes strategic, forward-thinking moves.
THE KNIGHT: The Agile Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
The Chief Technology Officer, Mark, is the Knight, the most unpredictable piece in chess, moving in an L-shape. Mark’s job is to embrace innovation, solve complex technical problems, and lead digital transformation. He:
✅ Develops AI-powered banking solutions that improves fraud detection and personalizes customer service
✅ Develops innovative technologies to be used by the Bank
✅ Handles cyber security threats with agility, preventing major hacking attempts resulting in millions of losses
Mark does not just think outside the box, he ignores the box entirely, using technology to disrupt the status quo.
Lesson: Every organization needs a Knight; an agile CTO who can navigate complex challenges, solve problems, and keep the company ahead of technological shifts.
THE PAWNS: The Work Force and Rising Stars
At first glance, Pawns seem like the least powerful pieces in chess. But in reality, they are the ones that drive progress. At Apogee Bank, the workforce; customer service agents, sales teams, branch staff, and analysts; are the Pawns.
✅ They execute the Bank’s strategies
✅ They interact with customers daily, shaping the brand’s reputation
✅ They are the foundation of the company’s success.
Theorhema realized that Pawns, if given the right opportunities, could become Queens. That is why he launched the Orange Star Initiative, allowing employees to pitch disruptive ideas.
Within a year, some of these “Pawns” had led groundbreaking initiatives:
- A junior analyst introduced AI-driven customer support, reducing response time by 50%
- A customer service rep developed a financial literacy chatbot that increased mobile banking adoption by 35%
- A relationship manager pioneered community-based lending programs, boosting SME loans by 20%
Lesson: A disruptive leader invests in Pawns, providing them with the resources to grow into future leaders.
FINAL THOUGHT: Winning the Game Through Strategic Leadership
By positioning his chessboard of leaders correctly, Theorhema transforms Apogee Bank from a traditional financial institution into an industry disruptor.
✅ As the King, he focused on vision and strategy
✅ His Queen (MD) executed the strategy with power and speed
✅ His Rook (COO) maintained structure and operational efficiency
✅ His Bishop (Business Development Head) found new growth opportunities
✅ His Knight (CTO) navigated complex technical challenges and innovation
✅ His Pawns (Workforce) became the driving force of change
As he places his final piece on the chessboard, Theorhema smiled; CHECKMATE!!!.
Apogee Bank was no longer playing to survive. It was playing to win. Disruptive leadership is not about breaking the rules—it is about understanding the game, positioning the right people in the right roles, and making bold, strategic moves.
Are you leading like a grandmaster, or are you just moving pieces?
The author is a Strategy, Leadership & Finance Enthusiast, an MPhil Finance graduate of the University of Ghana Business School and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana.
Email: [email protected]
