Women can master corporate politics by understanding how workplace decisions are made, Folake Sanu told attendees at the recent Executive Woman Summit 2.0 in Lagos. The Board Director and Chief Executive Officer of FS Global Advisory Services Ltd said strong performance alone may not secure advancement when employees cannot see how influence and relationships shape decisions.
Sanu illustrated the point with two equally capable women who received similar performance appraisal scores. One was regularly invited to strategic meetings, while the other was overlooked. Sanu said their different access could reflect how well each understood organizational relationships, informal decision-making structures and the people who influence important choices. Her remarks were reported by Punch’s summit coverage.
Master Corporate Politics by Making Work Visible
Sanu cautioned against assuming that hard work will automatically attract notice. She urged employees to explain their contributions and make sure decision-makers across an organization know what they have accomplished.
“Many people must know you in that organisation,” Sanu said, adding that employees who stay in one place may remain unseen. She advised women to move beyond routine task completion and focus on work that creates measurable value for their organizations.
That means describing results with indicators such as customer growth, improved satisfaction and operational performance, rather than simply listing completed assignments. Sanu also urged employees to prepare for meetings and opportunities, saying presentation, confidence and clear communication can affect how others perceive their capabilities.
Master Corporate Politics Through Relationships and Preparation
Sanu encouraged women to build relationships beyond their departments, understand their organizations’ strategic direction and identify influential people outside formal reporting lines. She said these informal networks can affect decisions about appointments, projects and resources.
She drew a comparison with wedding planning, where people often use stakeholder management, negotiation, conflict resolution and influence mapping. Sanu said those same skills can help employees navigate workplace relationships, handle competing interests and gain support for professional proposals.
Her advice also included choosing a clear career destination, whether functional, executive or board-level, and seeking assignments that provide broader business experience. She said employees should develop people around them and build relationships with colleagues at different levels.
Sanu cited her banking career as an example, saying four different management teams promoted her during 20 years. She attributed that record to understanding each team’s priorities and consistently demonstrating her value. She also said leadership requires authenticity, trust and the ability to develop followers.
Build Credibility and Prepare Future Leaders
During a separate panel, Toyin Bakare, Layole Oyatogun, Izehi Anuge and Kikelomo Atanda-Owo urged women to build professional relationships around competence, credibility and mutual support. They recommended preparing for networking, following up after introductions, sharing information and opportunities, and avoiding networks that encourage dishonesty or envy.
Mosun Belo-Olusoga, chairman of MTN Foundation, said leaders should create value and prepare people to take over their responsibilities. She said organizations benefit when managers develop capable teams and systems that can function in their absence. She also urged managers to recognize that employees face responsibilities beyond work, saying support during difficult circumstances can strengthen trust while maintaining professional standards.
For more on leadership changes inside a company, Grit Daily has reported on Radian Group’s executive appointments. Its coverage of skills for women entrepreneurs and support for women’s businesses explores related questions of opportunity and development in different settings.
