Inspiring Leaders - A Conversation with Titi Fakuade
I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Titi, an exceptional technology executive and the newly named CTO of the Year. While many see the accolades, the titles, and the polished outcomes, our conversation revealed the unseen layers of leadership, the grit, the responsibility, and the humanity behind the role.
💡 What Real Leadership Looks Like Behind the Scenes
Titi reminded us that leadership is far more than the visible wins. It’s:
Staying calm in moments of crisis, especially when mission‑critical systems fail.
Making high‑stakes decisions with limited information.
Guiding teams through pressure without panic.
Balancing innovation, integrity, and responsibility.
Her grounding principle? Excellence with humanity. Leaders must steady the room, not shake it.
🌱 The Journey: From Engineer to CIO/CTO
Titi didn’t set out to become a leader—she grew into it through:
Solving one problem at a time.
Being entrusted with responsibility before she even saw her own potential.
Seeing a woman in senior tech leadership and realizing, “This is possible for me.”
As she rose, her focus shifted from personal excellence to leading through people, helping teams understand the why, not just the what.
📘 Insights from Her Book Limitless
Her leadership framework is anchored on:
The mind — “We win from the mind first.”
Value — Deliver excellence consistently; become someone people trust.
Intentionality — Shape your path deliberately.
Continuous learning — Seek knowledge, evolve, and stay curious.
These principles have guided her through impossible turnarounds and helped her build high‑performing, motivated teams.
🤝 Navigating Relationships & Bias
Titi emphasized the importance of:
Being intentional about the relationships you cultivate.
Self‑reflection before assuming conflict.
Having courageous conversations when needed.
Avoiding burning bridges, because paths cross again.
🔥 Leading Through Pressure
In high‑stakes environments, pressure is inevitable. Her rule:
“Panic is not allowed.”
Instead, leaders must provide clarity, direction, and hope, so teams can bring their best ideas forward.
🌍 Her Leadership Legacy
Titi hopes to be remembered for:
Building more leaders
Empowering people to feel brave, capable, and confident
Creating technology that delivers real value and access
🌟 Advice for the Next Generation
Choose value always.
Raise your hand; don’t wait for permission.
Lead from wherever you are.
And above all, the God factor, the source of wisdom, grounding, and direction.