{"id":9867,"date":"2025-11-03T14:02:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T13:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/?p=9867"},"modified":"2025-11-03T19:38:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T18:38:16","slug":"9867","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/2025\/11\/9867","title":{"rendered":"Built Different: A Chat with Ugo Umeseaka"},"content":{"rendered":"

For some, leadership is purely about targets and strategy. But for Ugo Umeseaka, Chief Operating Officer of Redtech, devoted family man, and passionate artist, true leadership is as much about creativity and empathy as it is about performance.<\/em><\/p>\n

In honour of International Men\u2019s Month, Ugo sits down with\u00a0Akindamola Akintola\u00a0to reflect on the evolving meaning of masculinity in today\u2019s world. Known for blending a thoughtful approach to work with the expressive insight of an artist, he shares how painting, music, and moments of stillness recharge his spirit. Ugo invites us to look beyond the stereotypes, exploring the role of balance, vulnerability, and creativity in shaping a modern man\u2019s journey, as a father, husband, leader, and friend.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>November is International Men\u2019s Month. What does that mean to you personally?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE:<\/strong> It reminds me that being a man today goes far beyond the traditional idea of strength or provision. It\u2019s about balance, leading with purpose, protecting with empathy, and nurturing with intention. For me, it\u2019s a time to pause and reflect \u2014 to ask how we\u2019re growing, not just as professionals, but as fathers, sons, brothers, and friends.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Outside the title of COO, who is Ugo? How would your family or friends describe you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE:<\/strong> Outside work, I\u2019m simply Ugo \u2014 a husband, father, artist, and sometimes, a quiet thinker. My family would say I\u2019m playful and home-focused; my friends would probably call me loyal, a good listener, and the one who helps people find meaning in what they do. I enjoy stillness \u2014 painting, music, or just quiet time \u2014 that\u2019s where I recharge.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>If you could talk to your 16-year-old self, what would you tell him about becoming a man in today\u2019s world?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE:<\/strong> I\u2019d tell him that strength and kindness can co-exist \u2014 that real confidence comes from understanding yourself, not proving yourself. The world will always try to define what being a man means, but the real journey is defining it for yourself, with empathy and integrity.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Was there a moment you felt you\u2019d crossed from boyhood into manhood?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>Yes, the moment I became a father. That changed everything. Responsibility took on a new meaning \u2014 not just carrying yourself but carrying others too. It taught me patience, restraint, and the beauty of sacrifice. I realized manhood isn\u2019t a single event; it\u2019s a journey of accountability and growth.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Who were the men that shaped your view of manhood, and how has that evolved?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>I was shaped by men who led with quiet strength \u2014 my father, mentors, and leaders I admired from afar. They modelled discipline and integrity. Over time, I\u2019ve learned that compassion and emotional intelligence are just as vital. Today, I believe real men aren\u2019t defined by perfection, but by presence, authenticity, and grace.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>The phrase \u201cman up\u201d gets thrown around a lot. What does strength mean to you now?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>It has evolved. Strength isn\u2019t about dominance or control anymore \u2014 it\u2019s about consistency, restraint, and the courage to face your fears, even emotional ones. Real strength is showing up \u2014 especially when it\u2019s uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>As a leader, how do you balance confidence and vulnerability?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>I\u2019ve learned that vulnerability isn\u2019t weakness \u2014 it\u2019s connection. People relate more to honesty than perfection. I try to lead with empathy and transparency, letting my team know it\u2019s okay to make mistakes and grow. Confidence without humility creates distance, but openness builds trust.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>here\u2019s more openness about men expressing emotions now. What\u2019s your take on that?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>It\u2019s long overdue \u2014 and it\u2019s healthy. Crying or showing emotion doesn\u2019t make you less of a man. Suppressing everything does. We\u2019re learning that emotions don\u2019t make us weak; they make us human. When leaders show authenticity, it gives others permission to do the same.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>What do your male friendships look like? Are men becoming more open with one another?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE:<\/strong> My friendships are built on honesty, mutual respect, and shared growth. I think men are beginning to realize that brotherhood isn\u2019t about competition but connection. When we start having real conversations \u2014 about struggles, family, and wellbeing \u2014 we grow stronger together.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Showing care among men is sometimes labelled \u201ceffeminate.\u201d What\u2019s your view?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>Caring isn\u2019t masculine or feminine \u2014 it\u2019s human. Empathy, kindness, and loyalty are universal values. The evolution of masculinity is about reclaiming our full humanity, including the ability to care deeply and express it without apology.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Do workplaces do enough to support men\u2019s mental and emotional wellbeing?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>We\u2019ve made progress, but there\u2019s still work to do. Too often, wellbeing is viewed through a productivity lens rather than a human one. Men should feel safe saying, \u201cI\u2019m overwhelmed\u201d without fear of judgment. That\u2019s why I value Redtech\u2019s OEEE culture and our Great Place to Work programs \u2014 they remind us that people, not positions, drive performance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>There\u2019s growing concern that the boy child is being left behind. Do you agree?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>To some extent, yes. We\u2019ve focused so much on achievement that we\u2019ve neglected emotional development. Many boys grow up without learning empathy or self-awareness. We need to raise boys who are both ambitious and emotionally intelligent \u2014 who know how to lead with respect, discipline, and compassion.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>If you could design a mentorship programme for young men, what would be its core lesson?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>It would teach emotional intelligence \u2014 how to handle failure, express yourself, and build meaningful relationships. Those are lifelong skills. The message would be simple: be accountable, be curious, and be kind. The world needs more men like that.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Why do you think International Men\u2019s Day doesn\u2019t attract as much energy as International Women\u2019s Day?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>Because for a long time, men have been seen as the default \u2014 so advocacy for men hasn\u2019t felt urgent. But it matters. Men\u2019s mental health, fatherhood, and emotional wellness deserve space too. This isn\u2019t a competition of causes; it\u2019s about balance. Empowered women and grounded men make for healthier societies.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AA for HH People:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>One stereotype worth keeping, and one that needs to go?<\/strong><\/p>\n

UE: <\/strong>Keep the sense of responsibility \u2014 when it\u2019s rooted in integrity and service.<\/p>\n

Drop the idea that men must suppress emotion to be strong. That mindset has cost too many men their peace, health,\u00a0and\u00a0connection.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For some, leadership is purely about targets and strategy. But for Ugo Umeseaka, Chief Operating Officer of Redtech, devoted family man, and passionate artist, true leadership is as much about creativity and empathy as it is about performance. In honour of International Men\u2019s Month, Ugo sits down with\u00a0Akindamola Akintola\u00a0to reflect on the evolving meaning of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9890,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cover","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9867"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9889,"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9867\/revisions\/9889"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.heirsholdings.com\/hhpeople\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}