By Enock YEBOAH-MENSAH
The game was getting intense. My friend, an old university mate and fellow CEO, leaned forward, his eyes scanning the chessboard between us. I had just executed a precise move, putting him in a tight spot. He chuckled, shaking his head.
“You always play a calculated game, Theorhema,” he said. “Every move is deliberate. No wasted steps”. I smiled. “That’s the only way to win, in chess and in business.” He moved his knight and then looked up at me. “Speaking of business… How did you put together your leadership team? You always talk about leadership like a chessboard strategy. How did you choose the right pieces?”
I leaned back in my chair. That question brought back memories of the battles I had fought, not just on the chessboard but also in the boardroom. “It wasn’t about hiring the most experienced or the most educated”. I said. “It was about assembling the right mix of skills, personalities, and mindsets. A grandmaster doesn’t just play pieces; he positions them for victory.” He nodded and was intrigued further. “Alright then, tell me. How did you choose your team?”
THE KING – THE STRATEGIC CEO (Choleric and Melancholic)
I started with myself. A leader who does not understand and know himself cannot build a winning team. I have always been driven (choleric), decisive, ambitious, and focused on results. But over the years, I have realized that raw aggression without foresight leads to disaster. That is why I developed my melancholic side; the ability to think deeply, anticipate risks and plan meticulously. I trained myself to balance bold decision-making with calculated patience, knowing when to strike and when to wait.
✅ The choleric in me: Pushes the Bank forward, makes decisive moves and refuses to settle for mediocrity.
✅ The melancholic in me: Studies the market, analyses risk and ensures every move aligns with long-term strategy.
“A CEO who only charges forward is reckless. A CEO who only analyzes is stagnant. I had to be both.” But I knew I could not do it alone. I needed a team that complemented my strengths and covered my weaknesses.
THE QUEEN – THE FEARLESS EXECUTOR (Choleric)
“I needed someone who could take my vision and make it a reality, fast.” That person was Sarah, my Managing Director (MD). During our first meeting, she didn’t waste time listing her past achievements. Instead, she handed me a 10-step action plan to increase revenue by 40% in two years. No fluff, no hesitation, just execution. I tested her: “What if market conditions shift?” Without missing a beat, she flipped to another page: “Then we pivot like this.” That’s when I knew, Sarah was my Queen.
A CEO’s vision is worthless without execution. The Queen ensures strategies don’t remain ideas: they become reality.
✅ Bold: Makes high-stakes decisions without fear.
✅ Fast-Paced: Thrives under pressure.
✅ Ambitious: Focused on big wins, not small gains.
✅ Decisive: Acts swiftly, adjusting when necessary.
Sarah was not just my MD; she was the force that turned my strategy into dominance.
THE ROOK – THE STRUCTURED BACKBONE (Phlegmatic/Melancholic)
“Speed without stability is dangerous. I needed a fortress.” That’s where James, my Chief Operating Officer (COO), comes in. James is not flashy. He does not chase the spotlight nor push ideas anyhow. But he is the reason Apogee Bank never collapses under pressure. Whiles Sarah launched initiatives at lightning speed, James ensured that every department had the right processes, risk controls and efficient systems to sustain growth.
A business without structure crumbles under growth. The Rook ensures sustainability, efficiency and long-term resilience.
✅ Reliable: The steady hand that keeps operations running smoothly.
✅ Structured: Creates systems that eliminate chaos.
✅ Detail-Oriented: Sees small inefficiencies that weaken big strategies.
✅ Calm: Never panics even in a crisis.
James is not the loudest in the room, but without him, Apogee Bank would not stand strong.
THE BISHOP – THE STRATEGIC INNOVATOR (Sanguine/Melancholic)
“Growth isn’t just about execution, it’s about foresight.” That’s why I brought in Asante, my Head of Business Development. Whiles others focused on expanding their branch network, Asante was thinking beyond traditional banking; AI-driven lending, fintech partnerships and block chain payments. “Banks that focus on what worked yesterday will be irrelevant tomorrow,” he told me.
Growth is not just about reacting, it’s about predicting. The Bishop ensures that whiles others follow industry trends, we create them.
✅ Creative: Sees opportunities others miss.
✅ Visionary: Thinks five moves ahead.
✅ Strategic: Balances boldness with careful planning.
✅ Adaptable: Thrives in a constantly changing market.
With Asante, Apogee Bank is not just competing, we are shaping the future of banking.
THE KNIGHT – THE UNPREDICTABLE PROBLEM-SOLVER (Choleric/Sanguine Hybrid)
“Every team needs a wildcard—someone who can break patterns and solve problems on the move.” That was Mark, my Chief Technology Officer (CTO). I tested him in his interview: “If our banking app crashes for 24 hours, what will you do?” His response? “It won’t.” I raised an eyebrow. “Because I’ve already built fail-safes for that scenario.”
Technology is the battlefield of modern banking. The Knight ensures we do not just keep up—we stay ahead.
✅ Agile – Adapts to rapid technological shifts.
✅ Fearless – Tackles high-risk, high-reward projects.
✅ Quick-Thinking – Makes bold moves under pressure.
✅ Innovative – Redefines what is possible.
With Mark, Apogee Bank is not playing defence, we are shaping the future of fintech.
THE PAWNS – THE FUTURE LEADERS (Phlegmatic/Melancholic Hybrid)
“The best teams don’t just focus on today. They build tomorrow’s leaders.” That philosophy guided my approach to talent development at Apogee Bank. I was not just hiring for current needs—I was searching for the next generation of executives. I saw that potential in Ama, a young risk analyst. During her final interview, I asked, “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” She didn’t give the usual answer. “Leading Apogee Bank’s biggest expansion into Africa.” That was the kind of ambition I wanted. I placed her in our rotational leadership program, exposing her to different departments. Within two years, she developed an AI-powered fraud detection model that saved the bank millions.
A bank does not thrive on executives alone. The real foundation is built by those willing to do the work, learn and rise.
✅ Hardworking: Committed to continuous improvement and excellence.
✅ Steady: Provides the foundation for long-term success.
✅ Disciplined: Executes strategies with precision and reliability.
✅ Eager to Grow: Learns fast, adapts and rises through the ranks.
At Apogee Bank, Pawns do not stay Pawns, they become Queens, Bishops and Rooks.
CHECKMATE: BUILDING A WINNING TEAM
I finished telling my story. My friend, still studying the chessboard, nodded thoughtfully. “So you didn’t just hire based on experience?” he asked. “No,” I replied. “Experience matters, but personality, mindset, and execution matter more. A team isn’t just a collection of skilled individuals—it’s a carefully balanced unit where strengths complement each other.” He leaned back, a knowing smile forming. “And that’s why Apogee Bank is leading the market.”
I made my final move on the chessboard. Checkmate!!!!
Just like in chess, winning in business is not about having the strongest individual pieces—it is about strategy, positioning and synergy. A CEO’s role is not to make every move but to assemble and guide a team that plays to win.
At Apogee Bank, we do not just compete, we also dominate!!!.
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]
