At this Business Co event hosted by Common Ground Constantiaberg in Cape Town, Jonathan Wilson argues that the task of leadership is not to exercise power by controlling people and assets, but rather to unleash creative power through others – for the good of the world. Focusing on four dimensions of power (purpose, trust, discipline and sacrifice) he explains why harnessing these dimensions are key to the life of any successful leader.
As a seasoned attorney and business owner, Lerato Thekiso is convinced that leading a business well starts with leading yourself well. She highlights the importance of prioritising healthy rhythms, while recognising that different seasons in life and leadership bring their own realities to the table.
Minah Koela stepped into the leadership role at Beautiful Gate SA in October 2019 – and suddenly found herself having to earn the trust of her team (and the surrounding communities) during the Covid-19 crisis. Her determination and galvanising leadership in this season serve as a lesson in building a healthy team culture.
Shawn Theunissen is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs with the skills, insight and access to market opportunities. Believing that a leader's ability to navigate a challenging work environment is key to not only running successful businesses, but also building a healthy society, he shares five lessons in meaningful mentorship and leadership development.
Phillipa Geard, CEO of RecruitMyMom, shares the lessons she learned in building future-fit teams to enable a business’s longevity, sustainability and agility – qualities she says are essential for surviving the challenges of a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous business environment.
As CEO of Mergon, Pieter Faure has navigated multiple leadership changes as well as a company relocation. He discusses a few practical ways of guiding people through the significant changes brought about by these big decisions – while protecting a sense of unity and stirring excitement for the future.
Jacques de Vos is the CEO of Mezzanine, a South African company that delivers digital solutions to other companies doing business in Africa. Based on the experience of working in 12 countries, he explores why it is so important to anchor business decisions, solutions, products and services in the local context, especially in unfamiliar markets.
Gideon Galloway, CEO of King Price insurance, points out that when companies are new, small, and unburdened by corporate bureaucracy, they can quickly execute on decisions and try new things. He challenges business leaders is to adopt a management style that gives their employees the freedom to be creative, even as the business grows in size and complexity.
Highlighting some of the challenges caused by cultural complexity in the workplace, Afrika Mhlophe also suggests a few practical strategies for successfully navigating these. He encourages business leaders to intentionally focus on creating cultural alignment across the business – preventing diversity from becoming a divisive force and instead leveraging it as a strength.
