Robin Bairstow, the CEO of I&M Bank, today joined Ronnie McVex, Victoria Sibiya, and Uncle Mark on Next Radio 106.1 for an inspiring conversation about leadership, personal growth, and innovation in banking on Meet the Boss.
During the interview, Bairstow shared his perspective on what it truly means to be a CEO. He debunked the common misconception that CEOs have all the answers, emphasising the importance of learning from the people they lead.
"The misconception about being a CEO is that you have all the answers—but no, you don’t. You learn from those around you," he explained.
Despite his demanding role, Bairstow priorities personal well-being.
"I haven’t taken to drinking yet, and I’m proud of that," he said humorously. Instead, he enjoys reading, particularly audiobooks, and maintains an active lifestyle through surfing and skateboarding.
Bairstow believes that trust is the foundation of successful leadership.
"You have to create trust between yourself and the people around you. If you promise to do something, deliver. Show up and do your job as best as you can. Having trust speeds up decision-making in any organisation."
Authenticity, he added, is a crucial ingredient in effective leadership. "Being authentic is key in any organisation."
On the business front, Bairstow highlighted I&M Bank’s latest product, ExpressGo, which is designed to enhance financial convenience.
"We’ve launched ExpressGo, which can be downloaded on Play Store. It’s an easy and cost-effective way to transfer money from your wallet to your bank account at no cost. You can even open an account from anywhere using just your phone no need to visit a bank branch. We’re going to do things differently in this market."
Bairstow concluded with an inspiring message for dreamers and future leaders.
"Set yourself goals and dream big. I never would have thought that one day I’d be here speaking on the radio. Just dream big and turn your passion into a skill."
His words serve as a reminder that success is built on trust, authenticity, and continuous growth—qualities that define not just great CEOs, but great individuals.