Planting seeds of thought: nurturing leadership for the next generation

November 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Marjon Meyer

Spring is in the air! Time to plant seeds. Nurture talent like growing seeds.In the constantly changing business environment, the idea of “planting seeds of thought” has become increasingly significant. This metaphor highlights the need to cultivate ideas and promote a growth-oriented culture, especially as leadership styles evolve and a new generation joins the workforce. You don’t have to be a manager to be seen as a leader, each person is a leader when they allow people around them to flourish and grow.

You can’t pour from an empty cup

October 6, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

Written on a Thursday when the weight of the week of putting out fires and being dragged into the weeds of a mass of issues, has built up on our shoulders (and neck, oh those tight neck muscles!), is not lessened by the realisation that the weekend that seems so close will just bring 48 hours of catch-up rather than deep and fulfilling sleep.

Leadership during ‘interesting times’

October 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

The last few weekends we have returned to a common undercurrent in many of our articles written almost weekly since early 2020, namely the tremors hitting the world and rushing towards our beautiful businesses (our most recent here and here). From Covid warnings in early articles, or the Ever Given container ship blocking the Suez Canal (here) it’s been almost a continuous fear of the next thing to hit us, up to the present day, where supply chains are still stretched; inflation and interest rates are high (and very ‘sticky'); US$ debt of many African countries still too large and with higher interest rates now impacting our daily lives, all US$ being sucked out of the economies to pay the growing interest bills; global warming is of course omni-present and looms over us…it seems to go on and on. With all of this we could certainly be forgiven for looking at these storms and simply shutting up shop and finding a shady spot under a Baobab tree from which to rest out our days.

10 ways leaders can help team members adjust to change

October 27, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Anja van Beek, Talent Strategist, Leadership & HR Expert and Executive Coach

The one constant thing we can be certain of is change. The world we were used to was flipped upside down. Here’s what you need to know about the human side of change to support your team. We all can relate to the term RUPT (rapid, unpredictable, paradoxical, tangled) coined by the Centre for Creative Leadership. Almost everything that has been ‘normal’ for us, changed. The uncertainty has reached new heights – as we are not sure what the future will look like – we only know it will be quite different from what we were used to.

From Success to Sisterhood: Why African Women Leaders Thrive in Community

August 11, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Thembe Khumalo

“When women come together with a collective intention, magic happens. We shape our world, we make things happen. That’s what I believe in.” — Graca Machel

We hear often enough about how lonely it can be at the top, but what we don't hear as often is what one should do when one gets there, and finds so many other things to think about. In the realm of leadership, African women are rising to the forefront, breaking barriers, and reshaping the narrative. While they possess inherent strength, resilience, and an unwavering determination to make a difference, African women leaders face unique challenges and obstacles. This is why it’s useful to be part of a community of women in similar positions.

Leading a company or organisation is a service

May 14, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

“We’ve placed over time so much emphasis on notions of assertiveness and strength that we have assumed it means you can’t have those other qualities of kindness and empathy.” – Jacinda Ardern.

Having run New Zealand as Prime Minister for many years, Jacinda Ardern knows a thing or two about assertiveness and strength. She also led from the front in kindness and empathy during some very tough times. Indeed many believe that her ability to marry these two seemingly diverse (for some) groups, made her the global leader that she absolutely was and is still to this day.

Calm amidst the storm. How do great leaders do it?

April 28, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Department

“In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.”

— Mark Twain

Many of us who have visited the UK will laugh at the shock felt by Mark Twain in his description of Spring in the States when this happens almost everyday in the UK, let alone in Spring (why else would the English be so obsessed with discussing the weather all year?). But it feels to us as if for the past 3 years this type of crazy volatility has also covered our business lives.

A Game-Changer for Leaders

February 26, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Carla Wasserfall

We are all given and sometimes create a set of circumstances which is defined as “a fact or event that makes a situation the way it is” according to the online Cambridge dictionary. Often, we let the circumstances determine the outcome and results, this is due to our own limitations and giving up too soon. However, thanks to pioneers and inspirational leaders that have led the way to defy the circumstances, we now know there is always a new or different path.

In the thick of it – why women are such exceptional leaders during a crisis

July 25, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Linda Zuze (PhD)

When your company is in free fall, or when painful retrenchment discussions are underway, and when productivity is at an all-time low, who would you put in charge? Well, it turns out that women are considered better leaders during complex times. That’s right. Opportunities for promotion actually improve for women when things are going horribly wrong in a business and when the risk of failure is high. This happens far more often than most of us realize (think Carly Fiorina at Hewlett-Packard or Carol Bartz at Yahoo). Researchers have coined the term glass cliff to describe women breaking through a glass ceiling and into senior positions during an organisational crisis.

Leading With Authenticity

April 4, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Shatho Babitse

Have you ever encountered an authentic leader? Someone whose voice resonates with their heart when they speak, to such an extent that you get goose-bumps? Someone who, even if you disagree with, you respect and seek to emulate? Well, I have. And it is truly a remarkable experience.

Hearing is a sense. Listening is a skill

July 3, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Ashika Pillay

My training as a medical doctor initially unearthed in me, the great desire to solve mysteries and problems - and make puzzles fit. I would listen to patients for clinical signs and symptoms and be quick on the button with solving the “issue”. As I trained though, I started to really sense into “why is this person really here?” What is the unsaid, unseen, and unheard symptom that they are wishing to reveal - given the right time and attention. I suppose this is where my “coaching” started early on. In a GP practice that I worked; I was known for taking an incredibly long time with patients. Patient’s moved from “needing weight loss medication” to revealing deep insecurities about themselves, their marriages, and lives.

The marriage of Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Mentorship

April 19, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Yolanda Ndhlovu, founder of Essy Sandisiwe

When I was in university, 2 years ago, I wondered how my life would end up. I was worried. My academics were bad as I was involved with student activism and part-time jobs. I was a full-time student that studied part-time.

Entrepreneur Advice from Farida Yahya / Lead with empathy

April 14, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Farida Yahya, founder, Lumo Naturals, Nigeria

Lead with empathy…

“As a female founder, you should never feel pressured to lead like the boys. There is nothing wrong in leading with empathy.”

Farida Yahya, founder, Lumo Naturals, Nigeria

The Coronavirus crisis requires leaders at all levels of society to rise up

April 8, 2020 Melanie Hawken

by Thato Mokhothu-Ramohlanka

The Corona Virus outbreak has quickly introduced a new way of living that most of us never imagined possible. While some people are better prepared for unknown eventualities such as the Covid-19 pandemic more than others, many others will find that they have not prepared adequately for the weeks ahead. Unfortunately, the playing field is not always level. In some instances life does not provide us with the tools to help us prepare for tough times. Unemployment is one of those brutally unfair conditions that deny people the opportunity to provide security for times such as these.

Coronavirus - Leadership is the number one superpower during times of crisis

March 22, 2020 Melanie Hawken

From the Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept.

Last week we looked at the most important aspect of any business when times turn tough - that of Cash Flow. Please note those practical steps have worked for our team in other businesses around the globe, and although not guaranteed to work in every case, will at least encourage thinking in our Lionesses to preparing for the threat coming.

Women in Leadership

February 29, 2020 Melanie Hawken

Impact Partner Content: Absa | by Tina Playne, Managing Executive: Sectors and Segments, Private & Business Banking, Absa Retail and Business Bank

Our brave new world demands brave new leadership - leaders who understand their purpose in life and in business, and who are able to inspire and motivate others. But how do you make the shift, find your purpose, and successfully transition from manager to leader. Tina Playne shares her insights on what makes great leaders who can move business forward.

Quote of the Day by Ruka Sanusi

December 18, 2018 Melanie Hawken

“Running a business successfully needs focused, deliberate leadership and women entrepreneurs and CEOs can lead the way in that regard through purposeful and transformational leadership.”

Ruka Sanusi, founder of Alldens Lane (Ghana)

Becoming an authentic leader - Part 2

May 5, 2018 Melanie Hawken

by Mignionette Fair, founder of Edita Services

In Part 1 of Becoming an authentic leader, I looked at what an authentic leader is and some of the important aspects of authentic leadership. This week, we look at the remaining aspects of authentic leadership including some characteristics of authentic leaders. After all, why would you want to lead like anyone else? That just means one of you isn't needed!

Entrepreneur Advice from Monif Clarke: Ask a lot of questions if you want to be a good leader

December 8, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Monif Clarke, founder of Monif C. Plus Sizes on 'Leadership for Entrepreneurs' — **Monif Clarke**, founder of Monif C. Plus Sizes on *'Leadership for Entrepreneurs'*

It's up to you to ask your employees questions about what areas they think need improving in order to make their jobs easier and help your company to keep growing....

“Leadership is asking a lot of questions. I've learned that between customers, employees and all our stakeholders, my number one job is asking [my team] a lot of questions so I can serve them. They are on the front lines dealing with customers or wearing our products and while I am steering the ship, they are the engine and the propellers. I have to be responsive to what they need and often people are too busy or bogged down to even articulate what they need.”

- Monif Clarke is an American entrepreneur who is founder and CEO of Monif C. Plus Sizes a business she conceived in 2005 out of sheer frustration with the lack of choices in the plus size fashion market. She has gone on to fantastic success and has been awarded “Best Plus Size Fashion Designer” by Full Figure Fashion Week, “Best Plus Size Clothing Store” by City Search, “Best Store For Plus Size Evening Wear” by Time Out New York and was featured in the October issue of Essence Magazine’s “Leaders Of The New School”. Her signature Monif C. collection is quintessentially the wardrobe for the young, contemporary, sexy plus size woman and she is the designer of choice for curvy celebrities like Jill Scott.

Entrepreneur Advice from Danae Ringelmann: Be Your Authentic Self

November 21, 2014 Melanie Hawken

Danae Ringelmann co-founder of Indiegogo on 'Leadership for Entrepreneurs' — **Danae Ringelmann** co-founder of Indiegogo on *'Leadership for Entrepreneurs'*

People are more likely to follow you as a leader if you are your authentic self....

“Don’t be afraid to be you and own it. If you think being a leader is about having some agenda, it’s not. Being a leader is actually being completely with who you are and speaking from that place, giving feedback, sharing opinions from that place. That’s why people follow you .... It doesn’t come from any title or position … a true leader is someone who is wholeheartedly willing to be their authentic self.”

- Danae Ringelmann co-founded Indiegogo in 2007 with a mission to democratize fundraising and has since helped to propel the company into the world’s largest crowdfunding platform. Today, this inspiring American woman entrepreneur leads Indiegogo's industry development efforts, while steering the company’s employee culture and values initiatives. Danae was listed as one of Fortune Magazine's 40 under 40, as well as SF Business Times' 40 under 40 in 2014. ELLE Magazine named Danae to its Woman in Tech Power List in 2014; while Fast Company included her in its Top 50 Women Innovators in Technology in 2011.