In an unpredictable world leadership agility has become a must-have skill. That was the central theme in the latest Goodmorning BSN! webinar, where Solomon Johnson, Senior Human Resource Business Partner at Sonnex Packaging Nigeria Limited, shared practical lessons from the frontlines of organisational change. Speaking under BSN’s Change Leadership Pillar, Solomon unpacked how leaders can remain effective in volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environments.
Why Agility in Leadership Matters
Solomon opened with a simple but powerful message: change is constant, and leadership needs to keep up. “Change leadership,” he said, “is the ability to lead an organisation through transition or transformation by setting a compelling vision, inspiring commitment, and enabling people to adopt and sustain change.”
The emphasis, he noted, should not just be on high-level strategy but on genuine participation. “People should feel they are part of the process. That’s how you get buy-in. That’s how change becomes real.”
From PET Bottles to Circular Value Chains
Drawing on experience from Sonnex Packaging, Solomon described how the company shifted its approach after the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally focused solely on producing PET bottles, the company took a bold step in 2022.
“We launched a PET recycling plant in Lagos,” Solomon explained. “It wasn’t just a business decision. It was a commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility.”
Now producing 21 tonnes of food-grade PET annually, Sonnex has built a collection strategy that sources post-consumer waste through a network of aggregators. “We collect bottles from drainages, waterways, and communities. That’s how we close the loop,” he said.
Leadership Agility in Action
Solomon highlighted three must-haves for any manager leading through uncertainty: agility, resilience, and innovation.
“If any manager is able to build a team with these three traits, it’s easier to adapt to the kind of environment we all find ourselves in – where disruption has become the new normal,” he said.
He also pointed out the importance of embracing technology, investing in people, and developing risk management strategies. “From AI to supply chain management, we must be proactive. That’s how we future-proof our organisations.”
The Human Side of Change
A recurring theme in Solomon’s talk was the importance of culture in driving successful change. He stressed that change leadership isn’t something imposed – it has to be co-created.
“People don’t like to be disrupted,” he acknowledged. “But when they understand the vision and feel empowered, they’ll help carry the change forward.”
Reflecting on his presentation, Uchechi Agwu, founder of Culture Keepers Consulting, underlined the need for transparency and shared goals. “Some organisations wait too long – and go extinct. Change is uncomfortable, but not acting is far riskier.”
She also emphasised the need for psychological safety. “Culture has to be what you say it is. Nothing hidden.”
Navigating with Purpose
In closing, Solomon reminded attendees that organisations must lead or risk falling behind. “Leadership agility is the new normal. We either embrace it and lead – or ignore it and get left behind.”
The session offered a grounded perspective on what it takes to lead in challenging times. Whether responding to global trade shifts, internal restructuring, or environmental pressures, agile leadership is key to turning disruption into opportunity.
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