Facebook Live with Deliwe Makata: How to run a startup while completing your studies (Sept 13)
Getting an education should not be a barrier to pursuing your dreams early in life. Com’on, we’ve gone past that time where we had to wait for graduation to start a business, master a new skill, or even start making trips to the bank… Deliwe Makata is a living example. Currently an undergraduate, she founded Women Inspire, an empowerment and capacity building network for young women and girls in Malawi. Deliwe has trained over 250 Malawian girls and conducted over 50 face to face mentoring sessions with girls, about issues relating to personal development. [bctt tweet=” You can start your career or business while in school. Learn how.” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Join us on Wednesday, 13th September, as we host a Facebook Live Chat with Deliwe, who will be sharing her advice on starting a company and pursuing her passion while completing her studies. Register below to have access to this opportunity. Some of the topics we’ll cover: Founding a company while in school How early self-development has helped Deliwe to train young girls in Malawi 3 keys to balancing your studies and side hustle Facebook Live Details: Date: Wednesday, September 13th, 2017 Time: Lagos 1pm // Lilongwe 2pm // Nairobi 3pm Where: facebook.com/sheleadsafrica/ Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/sheleadsafrica/videos/1937257893164188/ Watch the first part of this video on our Facebook page. About Deliwe Deliwe Makata is a writer, speaker, and highly ambitious leader, with aspirations of getting into international public policy-making. She is the founder and executive director of a women empowerment organization called Women Inspire. Women Inspire is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, both locally and internationally. Through training & mentoring women and girls in the areas of education, human right advocacy, capacity building, leadership and decision-making positions. As a speaker, Deliwe has inspired many through her motivational appearances with international organizations, such as AGE Africa. Deliwe is also an exceptional final year student currently pursuing her undergraduate degree with the University of Malawi, Chancellor College, studying Arts in Humanities.
Divorce, a must for every entrepreneur
[bctt tweet=”Divorcing your business from your personal life is a must for every entrepreneur” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] A business is often registered and largely seen as a separate legal entity from the owner; however, this divorce does not really take effect between these two lovers as both can’t just resist the temptation of mingling together. This is a major reason why most SMEs fail. Business owners most of the time tend to muddle up the operations of their business with their personal life; and where there is no line drawn between the two, the business will be unable to review her growth independently. Even if you use a home-office, you should be able to demarcate between your home and business expenses. Concentrate on using just an area of the house and keep all home affairs out of this area. This is what the divorce is about. It is that bad!!! When you start out in business, as an entrepreneur, it is normal that you have to perform multiple roles. At the same time you need to be the management, director and shareholder. This multi-role, maybe even multi-personality, can become ingrained in a way of working which leads to problems when the company expands and involves others in the operation of the business. [bctt tweet=”Every entrepreneur must put machinery in place to separate the personal from business” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Drawing the line between your personality and your business Even though it is a hard discipline, every entrepreneur must put machinery in place to make this divorce come to effect. So, my advice if you really want the break up to be permanent; Maintain separate accounts for your business (in the business’ name, not yours) and personal transactions Employ a knowledgeable and skilled accountant Have a small business version accounting software Keep sound accounting records Periodically get help from a professional financial advisor Discipline yourself not to borrow from the business. Avoid borrowing from the business as much as possible. It is easier saying: “I’ll pay back when I have the money” than doing it. Better to take a loan from the business (there must be a standard loan application procedure in place) and pay back using the established system. Pay yourself a marketable salary. It is very important for the business owner to pay herself a marketable salary. Don’t pay yourself so high above the salary level just because your business is doing well: save for the rainy days. Paying below the market level is not also recommended. This can negatively impact your family life and sustaining may become a problem. In short, what will you pay somebody who replaces you? Pay yourself that amount. Why you need a solid financial system One of the most important steps that will aid you in measuring the growth of your business is setting up a solid finance system. One that is not only fashioned for your business model but that helps ‘think tax ahead’ and measure growth effectively. Setting up that system does not require ‘money’, proper advisory is only needed. Accounting systems have been set up using Excel and as the business grows, it moves to simple ERPs. A finance system review is a necessity for businesses already running who can’t evaluate their businesses effectively, or are in various tax mess. The role of audit in a business cannot be over-emphasized. If the business was set up for profit making, then the tax authority will want to have its share. Thus, having good and accurate records saves you from digging through scattered records of receipts of personal and business expenses when it is time for tax audit. This will also help avoid “tax headaches.” Maintain supporting documents to serve as proof of separation as this is essential if you want to stay on the “right side of the law.” It may be difficult making this separation at the beginning but as time goes by, with determination and dedication, it will get easier and more efficient.
How to handle conflict like a pro
[bctt tweet=”There are many reasons you might have conflict in your business & you need to understand them” via=”no”] The former US president Ronal Reagan is quoted as saying, “peace is not the absence of conflict, and it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” This means that conflict is inevitable: we have it at home, at work, and in our social circles. The moment you have more than one person in a group, the likelihood of confrontation arises. Why? Because of differing views, because of differences in interests etc. If you are wondering if the conflict at your office is normal, wonder not, it is. What is not normal is the degrees to which it can go to as well as the irreparable damage it can cause if it is not dealt with accordingly. If you are a business owner or even an employee, the following tips can help you handle conflict better and foster a positive environment. 1. Understand why you have conflict There are many different reasons you might have conflict in your business. These range from personality clashes; communication gaps; disputes over approaches as well as competition for limited resources. Understanding the triggers from your environment is the most important thing you can do because only when you know what is causing something are you in a position to ‘fix it’. 2. Manage expectations Do you over promise and under deliver? Managing expectations internally is important because people know what they can expect from you and the work environment. Often times in trying to get the ‘best’ talent through the door, business owners make promises that they cannot meet by the time they say they will. This leads to resentment, which manifests in various problems that affect the business owner, colleagues and even customers, rather under promise and over deliver. 3. Draw up a conflict resolution guide In the same way that you would have a code of conduct that you get every employee to sign when they come on board, so too should you have a conflict resolution guide. The contents (and comprehensiveness) are dictated entirely by the anticipation of conflict in your company as well as the gravity of those conflicts. Start simple, put together questions that first and foremost facilitate a reflective purpose. [bctt tweet=”Drawing up a conflict resolution guide could help handle conflicts in the workplace effectively” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 4. Set rules! Over and above the standard policies and codes of conduct, have rules of engagement that you compile with your team. When they have had a say on for example how they will relate to each other in the office, they are more likely to keep their end compared to when it is a rule from the boss. You can even take it a step further and develop shared values. Make sure you include how ‘we promise to deal with conflict in the office’. 5. Never take sides Yes she may have started with you when you were still a struggling business owner, and she understands the company, but just like everyone else you’ve brought on board, she has a role to play. Everyone who works with you makes a contribution and they all need to be treated fairly and with respect. That includes not being side-lined over another employee. Treat everyone the same. 6. Listen more and talk less As the visionary and not executor, yours is to spend more time listening than talking. Listen to what is not said especially because it is herein that the truth is often times revealed. Listen not to answer but to understand. When your approach is this, people will feel comfortable coming to you, be it for good or bad. And as a permanent effective strategy to conflict management, this accessibility is what you must aim towards. When you take even one of these tips and put it into action, you will be amazed at how much more manageable conflict in your workplace becomes. Remember that peace is not the absence of conflict; it is rather the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. Sometimes all it takes is being proactive and putting systems in place that support dealing with conflict when it arises.
Webinar with Jacqueline Nassimbwa: Becoming a leader in the health sector (May 25)
Jacqueline Nassimbwa is a public health specialist and project manager who is extremely passionate about advancing sexual and reproductive health rights in Uganda. Join us for a webinar with her on May 25th as she shares with us how she’s moved up the ladder to a leadership position in the health sector. When you think of a career in health, what comes to mind? If it’s an image of doctors, nurses, or community health workers, you’re not alone! But it turns out we need more than medical professionals to improve and save lives. There is a need for finance experts, design gurus, communications bosses, IT whizzes, and more. [bctt tweet=”Join this webinar with @ghcorps alumni on Thur. May 25 and learn to become a leader ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Before you count yourself out of the running for a job in the health sector, join us for a webinar on Thursday May 25th with Jacqueline Nassimbwa. She is an alumni of Global Health Corps and is #SLAYing without white coats or stethoscopes. Learn how Jacqueline built her career around her passion and get inspiration and advice for your own journey! Register below to get the exclusive link to the webinar. Some of the topics we’ll cover Building a career in the health sector Developing your unique leadership style Integrating leadership with professional development Webinar Details: Date: Thursday May 25th 2017 Time: 8am NYC // 1pm Lagos // 3pm Kampala Watch here: About Jacqueline Jacqueline Nassimbwa is skilled in scientific writing, research, project management, and quality improvement. She currently leads research efforts for advocacy teams focused on sexual and reproductive health issues at the Center for Health, Human Rights, and Development in Kampala. As a 2011-2012, Global Health Corps fellow at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, she assessed government structures in the delivery of maternal and child health (MCH) services and designed interventions to integrate HIV and MCH services. Combining her expertise in technology with her passion for improving maternal and child health (MCH), Jacqueline designed a cloud system to improve data quality and service delivery in clinics. Jacqueline holds an BSc in Food Science and Technology from Makerere University, and an MSc in International Health from Charite Institute of Tropical Medicine, Berlin; University College, London; and Karolinska Institute, Stockholm.
4 keys of personal leadership courtesy of Rachel Nyaradzo Adams
[bctt tweet=”Rachel Nyaradzo Adams wants to give people a Master’s degree in themselves @RachelNAdams” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] “We all can get an education, but I want to give people a Master’s degree in themselves” These are the words of Zimbabwean leadership consultant Rachel Nyaradzo Adams. This dynamic entrepreneur has crafted leadership strategies for organisations such as Mckinsey & Company, Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) program, and Yale University. She currently runs the leadership consultancy she founded called Narachi Leadership, which caters to high impact leaders across Africa. As soon as I heard the opening statement I knew I had to sit down with this remarkable woman. I wanted to find out more about her passion for African leaders, as well as get a few ideas on how you can elevate your consciousness as a leader. Before you moved back to Zimbabwe, you had an exciting job at Yale University in the office of international affairs. What prompted you to move back home and found Narachi? The seed was planted in me many years ago when I was selected as a Mandela Rhodes scholar. Our program director gathered all the scholars together and she gave us all a candle. She lit hers, and she asked that we light ours only if we were committed to being the change that Africa needs. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had been given permission to make a difference. I was also being given the tools to do so. Many years later while working at Yale University I looked back on that moment and began to question if what I was doing lived up to the commitment I had made. As Africans I believe we are far from creating a continent that gives dignity back to our people. I saw the need back home and knew I could do a better job of addressing it. I had spent my whole career working with leaders and entrepreneurs so starting Narachi was a way to have a more focused impact on the continent ‘one leader at a time’. I admire your commitment to nurturing leaders on the continent. All too often I have heard the phrase ‘Africa has no good leaders’. What is your message to the younger generation? I recently gave a TEDx talk where I shared my views on this. I believe Africa doesn’t have a leadership crisis, it just has a lack of a critical mass of courageous youth. It surprises me when I hear young people complaining about their ‘leaders’. People who are over 70 years of age realistically should have little say in our future. I need young people to question why they are comfortable delegating decision making around their future. Looking at our history, it has never been solely the “leaders” that have transformed this continent, it has been young people. The recently deceased anti-Apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada was 12 years old when he started his activism, Nelson Mandela started in politics at 26 years old, and Aliko Dangote was 21 when he took a loan to start a business. Thomas Sankara was 33. We have to harness our courage and start building the Africa we deserve. There are some young people embracing that spirit of courage, Fred Swaniker would be a good example, but we need more. I would encourage young people to engage with the idea of what it means to put our lives on the line and sacrifice to see your continent as it should be. Doing the right thing won’t get you recognition, and you may not make it onto any prestigious lists for a while. It is however, part of the work that needs to get done. When it comes to making huge life decisions, for example picking a career, it is easy to get bogged down. What should we remember when making these decisions and make these moments of ‘leading ourselves’ easier? Getting bogged down by life is quite common. In my work with Narachi I have realised just how much people struggle to figure themselves out. I believe once people give themselves the permission to live authentically, they begin the journey to becoming better humans AND better leaders. Here are a few steps to getting there with examples from my own life: 1. It begins with ‘resonance’ Ask yourself ‘what resonates with me?’ You have to take time to listen to what has always been there. What are the things that you have always been drawn to or felt passionate about? The key to this is to guard against being seduced by the language of the time. For example, right now there is a lot of attention on entrepreneurship and technology. I therefore, find people trying to fit themselves under labels like ‘tech-entrepreneur’ when they have no business being in that space. Technology is a tool that you can use in service of who you really are. You don’t have to pretend to be good at something you will only be mediocre at because it isn’t a strength of yours. Create a list of topics that interest you and things you do well. If you can’t identify those on your own, ask people around you and colleagues who you work with for feedback on how they experience you. [bctt tweet=”You don’t have to pretend to be good at something you will only be mediocre at” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 2. Accept what resonates with you This is the reality: resonance isn’t always sexy. I often see people who are still afraid of not fitting into the current marketable language. Trying to do so could overshadow the value you bring to the table. When I worked at McKinsey I was surrounded by people who were number crunchers. In an environment like that, I could see the value of their strengths and so I began to doubt the value of mine. The irony is that I had been employed precisely because I was not a strict number cruncher. I had to accept that
You lead Africa: Becoming a global leader from your community
[bctt tweet=”Use these 8 steps to start leading Africa from your community” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Being a global leader is not all about working in the United Nations or travelling the world over to proffer global solutions to all the world’s problems (although that also counts). Real global leaders are those that recognize the impact of their actions on their communities; that is why many #MotherlandMoguls and #BossLadies are beginning to lead Africa from their doorsteps. Whether it’s business, philanthropy, social activism, entertainment, technological innovation etc, you can begin to make global impact by taking active roles and actions in your community (aka your society, aka your neighbourhood, aka your district, aka your area, aka – you get the gist) because that’s where real change happens. So without further ado, here are a number of ways you could start leading Africa from where you are; 1. Practice core leadership values Whether its through integrity or service, practice core values in your career and in relation to your community. These values support your personal leadership skills and help you in deciding what you what to be known for as a leader. 2. Be a global citizen Be involved in your community in practical ways, this could be through volunteering amongst others. Asides from boosting your resume, you’ll be creating real global impact from your community. Volunteering doesn’t always have to be abroad (although that is fun when you have Oprah money and all), you first have to think about how you can help your own community thrive. 3. Networking Someone smart has said this before. Your network has an impact in your leadership success. Effective networking gives you access to information, valuable resources, referrals, knowledge, mentoring and a vast number of skills that would be helpful in advancing your community. Whether it’s professional or personal, networking provides you the opportunity to meet diverse people. There is always something you can learn from other #MotherlandMoguls around the world to sharpen your leadership edge. 4. Seize the day Find out about programmes, summer camps, and platforms that help you build your global leadership self. A number of them might include leadership camps, bridge programmes or professional boot camps. There are a host of activities that would help you along the path of taking effective actions and decisions in your community. 5. Be an entrepreneur If you are not solving a problem in your community, then you are the problem. It’s either Beyoncé or someone else. Every community has challenges and you should be doing something to bring about a solution to a challenge in your community. Think about what you can start doing to solve a problem you see in the society, that’s the power of your #BlackGirlMagic. [bctt tweet=”If you are not solving a problem in your community, then you are the problem” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] 6. Develop yourself With the vast array of online classes/courses the internet provides, self-development is just a click away. Develop your brand, research, read, read, and read (not just Harlequin), finesse your leadership ability. Know that girls can be pretty and smart. 7. Have a global mindset Enhance your communication and interpersonal skills. Global leadership requires an understanding of various diverse views and perspectives. This can be gained from travelling abroad or reading widely. Stay abreast of international happenings around the world. This makes you very knowledgeable about other communities. It could also provide necessary information and policy which would help you in achieving your own set goals for your community. 8. Join She Leads Africa Besides being extraordinario, SLA would help you get to the next level of your career and finesse your global leadership mindset. From inspiring articles to amazing events to the Accelerator programme, SLA is becoming the number one destination for smart young and ambitious global women and you could become a part of our community. Start acting today and be at the forefront of rising global leaders, who says girls can’t have it all?
Leadership 101: Lessons learnt from my first leadership roles
[bctt tweet=”This was leadership in a world where your juniors are old enough to be uncles or aunties” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] In 2012, a few weeks shy of my 22nd birthday and armed with my freshly bestowed degree, I was given a leadership role. Leadership was nothing new to me because I had enjoyed a couple of governance roles in school; but this was starkly different. This was the real world. This was leadership in a world where your juniors are old enough to be uncles or aunties. Though the task was formidable, I accepted the challenge. Four years later I am still in a leadership role and I am actually at ease with it. I still have my fair share of challenges, but I must admit that I have come a long way from my early days. So without further adieu I present my top 5 tips for acing your leadership role. Be authentic For me, I think this is the most important aspect of your leadership journey. You need to understand that it is not a copy and paste type of role. It requires actual effort and analysis of the make up of your team. You need to exert yourself to find out what leadership style works best for you. In the early years of my leadership journey, I struggled with my leadership style. I realized all too often that sometimes decisions I made were not reflecting what I truly wanted and my team could sense that. Once your team senses that you are uncertain of yourself they begin to become unsure of themselves and their work! Always ask yourself if a decision made really reflects the values of the company; but also importantly reflects your values and what you wish to achieve. Once you hone your leadership style, your skills will transcend to every interaction you have with your team. Your co-workers become more trusting of your decisions because you trust and they can definitely perceive that [bctt tweet=”Being authentic is very important aspect for your leadership; figure out what style works” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Create an open environment Get it from me folks, this works. An open environment is a system that allows for open communication between leaders and their juniors. An open system facilitates better work relationships and ultimately leads to greater accomplishment of desired results. So how can you put it into practice? Well these days, when something goes disastrously wrong I bite my tongue, hard. Instead I ask; “What went wrong”. By doing so I am able to identify the root cause of the problem but I am also allowing my colleague to express themselves and identify for themselves things they could have done better. Additionally, also allow for your team mates to fully own the processes they initiate. Don’t you just hate it when your boss polices every single one of your tasks? Allow your team to discover what works for them and what doesn’t. In addition to that, have regular ‘check in’ meetings. Ask the team what challenges they are facing during the meeting. Praise employees who have done exceptionally well and also show gratitude to the entire team. Have intention If you wish to achieve a goal for your team, make it a core part of your day-to-day work. Leading with intention entails taking steps towards achieving a set goal or target for you and your team. One way I try to lead with intention is jotting down my plan of action; it worked great for me. Every day I try to identify a step that will help me achieve my set goal. And every day, I encourage my co-workers to do the same. A couple of years ago, one of my superiors told me; “Kuda the corporate world does not award effort, it awards results”. And boy this is the truth! So always focus on the goal ahead whatever it may be and lead your team towards that goal with intention. [bctt tweet=”Always focus on the goal ahead and lead your team towards that goal with intention” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Keep a leadership journal Yes, that’s right a journal. Whenever something major at work happens, document it. I promise you, your future self will be so happy and glad you did it. A journal acts as a medium of venting and letting everything out. But it can also provide a solution to hurdles you may be facing. As you write (honestly) you begin to brainstorm solutions and logically think through a problem. Journalling my leadership came naturally to me but it did not come easy. It was hard for me to write about my own mistakes and literally face them. However, once I overcame this, my journal provides me with a plethora of insight into problem solving and people management. Remember that leadership style I mentioned earlier? A journal will help you realize that and more about yourself. So don’t dismiss journalling as an activity of hormone crazed teenagers because it sure isn’t. Take an interest in your co-workers Because work is essentially work, it is very easy to see your co-workers as merely means to an end, or as people you are forced to be around. You would be so shocked to realize how interesting many of your co-workers are if you simply take an interest. Also, this gives you a better understanding of what roles are fit for people. You don’t have to literally hang out the office and become overnight besties; a few simple changes can help. For example, why not ditch your regular lunch partner at least once a week. Instead sit on a different table with a different colleague and get to know them more. This strategy has helped me tremendously. Not only do I get a feel of the office relationship dynamics but I get people to open up more especially about how they really feel about the work they are handling. [bctt tweet=”All in all, leadership is a process. It is more the journey than it is
A battle of the mind: Leadership lessons from Sheryl Sandberg
[bctt tweet=”Our self-perception as women is actually what keeps you from moving ahead” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] I was fourteen, maybe fifteen and straight out of primary school, it was my first day in high school. My incoming class teacher asked me if I was willing to be the class prefect. I flat out said no. I just was not willing to take up a leadership position to a group of people whom I had never met before. This was despite the fact that I knew I was more than capable of doing the job and doing it well. Fast forward three years later I ended up taking a leadership position not only in my class, but in the entire school. Looking back though, I see the same trend repeating itself in my life over and over and that is what Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead is about. We do it to ourselves Initially, I thought the book was going to be about your basic feminist tirade. I was pleasantly surprised though, when from the get-go she focused more on how the self-perception that women have is actually what keeps them from moving ahead. ‘Sit at the table’ made it to my top three favourite chapters of the book. Sandberg discusses how women face a “battle from within” that prevents them from taking advantage of what rightly belongs to them. In the chapter, Sandberg gives a story about a certain meeting she hosted for government representatives —both men and women. After picking their cups of coffee, the men sat around the conference table but the women opted to sit off to the side of the room, even after much prodding from her. It was an innate decision they made to keep themselves away from issues under discussion even though they had every right to be there. [bctt tweet=”Women hesitate to take advantage of what rightly belongs to them” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] It’s possible to have it all In the 8th chapter, Sandberg brings up a common argument as far as women empowerment is concerned when she talks about making you partner, a real partner. She talks about the traditional gender roles in homes and how to overcome the limitations that these roles throw at women as far as career planning is concerned. The discussion revolves around empowerment taking place at home as much as it is being demanded in the work place. By having men take on more responsibility around the home, traditional gender roles are discouraged. Rather, this encourages an equal playing field in the workplace and at home. An idea that if put into practice in our homes, will enable us to excel both in our careers and in our families. In Africa, especially due to our cultural inclinations this here is easier said than done. Yet, if we are going to let Africa see what we are capable of we must get the entire community involved in this mind shift. The boys’ club mentality Generally, Sandberg’s book gives quite a good insight on the limitations placed on women both internally and externally. This was my key take-away. What I hear mostly around the office corridors is the existence of a certain secret ‘’boys club’’ that seeks to promote only the men in the career journey. [bctt tweet=”Woman empowerment is only attainable when both men and women pursue them together” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] What I don’t hear is talk on the limitations that we as women have placed on ourselves. It’s very easy to complain about how the system has been designed to work against our growth. While we are in that mind-set we forget to look at the limitations that we are placing on ourselves. Sandberg seems to have begun a kind of movement from the book, a not–so-secret girls’ club that should hopefully get all of us out of the pity party we might have in and work hard to get what we are looking to get. Lean In is definitely worth the read. It is witty, it’s well researched and very open, giving you a glimpse into the lives of top women leaders in the Silicon Valley. You see their weakness and failures and how they rise up in the leadership space. If you haven’t already read it, I suggest getting a copy. Not just for yourself but for your partner as well because as Sandberg discusses in the final chapter of the book. The goals of women empowerment are only attainable when both men and women pursue them together, at home and in the office and it begins by thinking that it is possible and worth the pursuit. Today, despite all of the gains we have made, neither men nor women have real choice. Until women have supportive employers and colleagues as well as partners who share family responsibilities, they don’t have real choice. And until men are fully respected for contributing inside the home, they don’t have real choice either. Equal opportunity is not equal unless everyone receives the encouragement that makes seizing those opportunities possible. Only then can both men and women achieve their full potential –Lean In
Emma Wenani: Deep down, I always knew I would be successful
Emma Wenani is the Director, Human Resources at Global Media Alliance (GMA), a leading communications company in West Africa. Together with her team; they manage the HR processes for over 300 staff members across 9 business entities. Emma embodies the idea of women in corporate leadership, but her career now is nothing close to what she wanted to do with her life while she was growing up. She shares more about that, her leadership experience and the challenges for women in leadership. What was your dream job as a kid? Why? I wanted to be so many things at the same time. At some point I wanted to become a model because they looked so prim and proper and very well mannered. Then I wanted to be an air hostess so I could travel the world; I still want to travel the world, but as a tourist. Then at yet another point, when one of the top cardiologists in Kenya died from heart disease, I decided I was going to be a surgeon. For the longest time I was working to be a doctor, but when I really discovered what careers were (I guess one eventually does grow up), I knew I wanted to become a teacher, I still believe that I will teach one day. I wanted to teach because of one of my primary school teachers, Mrs. Katingima. To date, she is my all-time favourite teacher because she taught us and loved us. I admired her; there was something about how much she wanted us to succeed that made going to school very easy. I wanted to be a teacher like Mrs. Katingima so I could teach my students with as much passion as she taught us. How did you find yourself where you are now? I will summarize it somewhat and say I do believe I am where I belong. I never thought that I would be pursuing a career in human resources, but this is where I find myself and I love it. When I was doing my undergraduate studies, I joined a student organization on campus called AIESEC. AIESEC is the largest student-run organization in the world, which was keen on inculcating in us the importance of working towards realizing our leadership potential. It was there that truly, my passion for talent, training and people was unearthed. I was involved in a number of roles that gave me the opportunity to lead teams, attend conferences in different countries with like-minded leaders, facilitate conference sessions etc. It was clear that anything and everything that involved working with people and in talent management was something I would pursue. After 6 years of being in HR and 2 years specializing in HR studies at Masters Level, I can comfortably say that I am home. What woman inspires you and why? I admire Kenya’s First Lady Margaret Kenyatta; I admire everything about Her Excellency. How simple yet powerful she is, how much thought goes into her ceremonial and occasional outfits, her causes and the passion she puts into them. I admire that she not only says she is going to do something, but puts her all into it. A leader should not only delegate but should also show others that they can do what they say they are going to do. The effort and work she has put as founder and patron for the Beyond Zero campaign, aimed at stemming maternal mortality must be lauded. I look forward to meeting H.E. Margaret Kenyatta one day, to tell her that I admired her from afar, and to say thank you on behalf of current and future mothers for sharing her story and truly living her promise. What do you consider your biggest success? I don’t know whether I would term it as biggest success but I am proud of the woman I have become. I have always been ambitious and deep down I always knew I would be successful. But, I do not take for granted the opportunities that I have had in the pursuit of my dreams that have made me excel in my career. 10 years ago, if anyone told me that in 2016 I would be a Director of one of the most successful media companies in West Africa, I would not have believed them. But here I am, many miles away from home, away from my family, away from what is familiar but flying the Kenyan flag high and representing it in my new home, Ghana, smiling deep down and being content with the woman I have become. I am still a year behind my dream of being CEO but I am proud of who I am today. Tell me about a time you failed as a leader? I cannot put a finger to any moment that I may have beaten myself up for failing. One of the things that scares me the most and would be a failure on my part, would be not leaving a legacy or having a good successor. If for example, I have to leave my work place and no one notices or feels my absence or I am not able to leave a good transition history, I would have failed as a leader. What do you think is the most significant barrier to women leadership today? Today, more women are empowered to take on executive leadership roles than in the past. Obviously we still have a long way to go because the percentage of male executive leaders still outnumbers women’s by a huge margin. One of the barriers to women leadership is the struggle with the idea of neglecting family as they climb up the corporate ladder. Women are natural caregivers. Therefore, we always have to think of how our families will be affected if we take on more responsibilities at the workplace, and what support, if any, will be offered by organizations whether in the formal or informal sector. How do we create a balance between taking a seat at the table and still remain competent home makers? If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
Emotional Intelligence: The surest way to take your business to the next level
[bctt tweet=”This is why a high Emotional Intelligence Quotient is important for #MotherlandMoguls ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Emotional Intelligence is the magic wand for your business. If you’re passionate about starting a business that will be highly successful, or trying hard to take your existing business to the next level, then you have to read this. Various works of research have shown that we need more than knowledge or high Intelligence Quotient (IQ) to really succeed in life —more-so, at running a business. As an entrepreneur, it is important to attend business school, read wide, have a firm grip of your industry, and know what works and what does not. But even more important is having a high Emotional Intelligence Quotient (EQ). And this is because business in its entirety is all about people; whether you deal in products or services, you’re dealing with people. Emotional Intelligence has to do with understanding our feelings and those of others. It is that “thing” which determines how we make personal decisions, respond to emotions, interact with people, and sail through social intricacies. How do you offer the best service possible to your clients when you don’t understand how they feel? Despite what many believe, this form of intelligence comprises a set of skills that can be learned and applied every day. Let’s take a look at some of these recipes for success. [bctt tweet=”You have to have control over your own emotions if you hope to keep your clients, and add new ones” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] You need to have emotional self-control To understand people, it’s important to understand yourself first. You have to have control over your own emotions —the way you react to issues or situations— if you hope to keep your clients, and add many new ones. Having emotional self-control means you can respond to negative situations rationally rather than emotionally. Don’t forget that people enjoy doing business with someone that is emotionally stable. And that means a lot for the growth of your enterprise. To have emotional self-control, you have to be aware of your emotions from time to time. For example, the presence of negative emotions like anger, anxiety, pessimism, sadness can weigh you down and take a drastic turn on your business. But once you’re aware of them, what triggers them, and how they affect you, then they can be put in check over time. I mean you can manage them as much as possible. I know this can be challenging at first, things would always get better with time. In essence, to move ahead in your business —and even your career— you must stay motivated. And to stay motivated, you have to have control over your emotions. [bctt tweet=”The window to the heart of your customers is active listening, that’s why Emotional Intelligence comes in” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Adopt listening as a skill Running a business has everything to do with managing relationships. Yet it is practically impossible to manage relationships without getting to know the concerns or perspectives of others. The window to the heart of your prospective or existing customers is active listening. Let them tell you what and how they feel about your product or service with a lot of assurance that you care. Listening goes beyond just hearing someone else. It’s a skill that could be used to set your business —and indeed your life— on the path of great success. From your business partners and investors to clients and staff, you should pay adequate attention to whatever ideas or suggestions they put across to you. Whether you approve of their ideas or not, make sure to listen with rapt attention and nod in acknowledgement. Why is this essential? People enjoy doing business with someone they like, one who listens to them, their complaints as well as their feedback. Many business owners are too busy chasing profit without considering the magical power of active listening. They’ve forgotten that when they listen effectively to their customers, they would get more insight into how people view their products or services. And this in some way would hint them as to what and what should be done to make their businesses perform better. Never underrate the power of listening; it could make a lot of difference in your business. Showing empathy is the way to go As an entrepreneur, it’s not enough to listen to those you’re transacting business with, showing care is essential. Think of your customers as yourself. Put yourself in their shoes. Be on the same page as your clients. Ask yourself: If I were the consumer of this product or service, how satisfied would I be? It’s good to let your business be that ‘person’ whom people are endeared to and are willing to be with no matter what because she cares. Showing empathy means looking into customers’ complaints with as much urgency as genuineness. It also means sincerely putting your customers first as far as the delivery of your service is concerned. [bctt tweet=”Beyond being intelligent and strategic, Emotional Intelligence is the great secret of success ” username=”SheLeadsAfrica”] Emotional Intelligence is the magic wand for your business Beyond being intelligent and strategic, beyond having a vast knowledge about running a business, there remains a great secret of success that can help you lead effectively in your industry and that’s Emotional Intelligence. Although some are born with a high level of this form of intelligence, it can be learned. Once you take control of your emotions, use listening as an important skill and show great empathy for your clients, you’re already adopting Emotional Intelligence as a powerful tool to take your business to the next level. How emotionally intelligent are you? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.