Born into a family of 24 children, Yussuf learned early that life demanded both patience and perseverance. Now, as CEO of an insurance brokerage, his passion is fuelled by witnessing countless people lose everything to medical emergencies and unexpected crises.
“Insurance is not a product for the rich. It is a necessary product that we all require. You cannot predict when you are going to get sick, but knowing that your insurance eases the burden.”
Drawing on lessons from his childhood in Mandera and his high school education at Maseno School, “Being humble and patient” remains unchanged, he says, along with a guiding principle: “Leadership is something that I value a lot. When people are following you because they want to, not because they are influenced, that’s real leadership.”
On leading a young company in a longstanding, traditional industry with big competitors, he says, “you need to work extra hard as a vision carrier, to show people where you are headed.”
"True leadership is when people follow you willingly, not because they’re influenced."
Yusuf, who holds a Master’s degree and is now pursuing a PhD in Strategic Management, measures success by the impact he leaves behind. “When I die, how many people are going to feel my absence because of the impact I had in their lives? That is the most fulfilling thing.”
-Marion Sitawa