Renowned real estate investor and leadership advocate, Mr. Oluwatobi Martins, has delved into a critical leadership flaw — the act of insubordination — in the latest edition of his ongoing leadership series.
Speaking during a session via social media of the highly anticipated series, Mr. Martins emphasized that insubordination is a silent but potent destroyer of leadership potential.
According to him, the inability or deliberate refusal of leaders to take advice, particularly from mentors or superiors, is a major reason why many leaders across sectors ultimately fail.
“Insubordination in leadership doesn’t only mean disobeying commands. It also refers to when a leader ignores or undermines the voice of mentorship or advisory figures due to personal ego or inexperience,” Mr. Martins stated.
He further noted that every successful leader must have a point of reference — someone who can checkmate them, hold them accountable, and offer constructive criticism.
“Any leader who has no one playing a mentorship or supervisory role in their life is already headed for failure,” he said.
The real estate magnate explained that insubordination often stems from a mindset where a leader believes they have all the answers, refusing to accept that there are always people more experienced or wiser to learn from.
Drawing real-life parallels, Martins pointed to politicians who fail to listen to the yearnings of their constituents and industrial leaders who dismiss their boards of directors.
“A politician who doesn’t listen to the voice of the people or lacks a mentorship guide is unlikely to succeed,” he said. “And a captain of industry who believes he’s above instructions from his board is already steering towards collapse.”
Mr. Martins concluded the session by urging both current and aspiring leaders to seek out genuine mentors.
“Get mentors who can checkmate you, hold you responsible for your actions, and offer honest feedback. That structure will help you soar higher and succeed with integrity,” he advised.
He reinforced that globally respected leaders all have accountability frameworks and mentorship channels that keep their leadership in check.
“True leadership isn’t about knowing it all — it’s about learning, listening, and growing through the wisdom of others,” he said.
Mr. Oluwatobi Martins’ leadership series continues to inspire discourse on ethics, responsibility, and personal growth among leaders in business, politics, and beyond.
INN-HOUSE☆ 