LEADERSHIP

Founder, former CEO and former Deputy Chairperson of Smile Telecoms, IRENE CHARNLEY, shares five key areas to focus on when the going gets tough

As we honour and celebrate all women during this month of August – highlighted by the public holiday on 9 August which has been observed since the start of our new democracy more than 27 years ago – we still have many hills to climb as women in business. As the father of our democratic South Africa, Nelson Mandela wisely quoted: “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.” We can be proud of what has been achieved and accelerated (albeit slow) in terms of the inclusion of women over the past decade and how many are now found in government and in business and fulfilling the role of decision-makers that impact generations to come. It has been a challenging journey so far and our trials continue to stretch us and all those in support of (and opposed to) women empowerment and their role in transforming our economy.

As many of our esteemed women in business will attest, it is a massive privilege to serve and infl uence the future generations of young women through responsible and sustainable business. The challenges are getting more and more tough, inspiring us to not become complacent with all the gains thus far but to keep our focus on ensuring that equality and empowerment for all women is achieved in our lifetime. We have been confronted by many challenges in business which cut across all aspects of our daily functions as women in business. These challenges are not insurmountable and should inspire greatness as we continue to conquer the many hills ahead of us. These last two years have stretched us to the limits in terms of overcoming challenges and dealing with an unprecedented, unbiased enemy which literally brought all business to a halt as we managed the Covid-19 pandemic. There was also the impact of digitising business and, recently, dealing with criminal looting of retail businesses, especially SMEs in townships, all impacting on unemployment. This in the wake of an already fragile economy and changing business landscape here in South Africa and many regions across our continent. Overcoming these challenges in business needed extraordinary leadership attributes to be invoked and implemented and thankfully we as women were blessed with the most important attribute showing empathy, resilience, and the ability to focus on the future. The reboot button was initiated on our behalf, and we had to navigate through unknown rough seas, which impacted on all aspects of daily life. It is clear that our role is not to calm the seas and high winds, but rather to accept that they will always be there. Our role is to ensure we are skilled and that our businesses are built to navigate through whatever challenges we face and to reach for our vision and purpose. We cannot achieve this without a fully functional team that has clarity of purpose and is action-inspired regardless of the challenge. Leadership is defi ned during these diffi cult times.

– ensure that as a leader you are clear in terms of your vision and purpose. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and work in the engine room, while at the same time adjust the sails to leverage the wind in the direction of the vision. A clear mind will ensure the opportunities that come with every challenge, is seized. • Harness human capital – certainly the most valuable asset in a business is the people who must be engaged, have clarity of the vision and are action-inspired to keep momentum and get the business to the next goal. • Systems and processes – have trusted business systems in place that are predictable, measurable and can assist in better managing the risks, while freeing up hands for functions needing manpower. • Visibility – ensure that you are actively and regularly in touch with all your teams, stakeholders, customers, suppliers and shareholders, so all are on the same page about how to survive and are focussed on generating cashfl ow and sustainable future growth. • Humanity – remain humane and approachable to not miss the super stars and new innovations that come with every challenge the business will face throughout its journey. The business is about the people it serves. These attributes are not only useful to overcome business challenges, but they can also be implemented in all forms of challenges in whatever capacity we lead. You will have to acknowledge that challenges are opportunities for growth in order to realise your vision more quickly and enjoy sustainable business success. As women in leadership, we hold up our societal well-being, but are often inclined to doubt our ability to lead through a challenge and devalue our natural experience to mobilise a collective, to skilfully get to the other side of the challenge. Women in business hold so much more than simply their responsibilities as a leader. They are also a trusted friend, compassionate caregiver, the centre of the homes, businesses and communities they lead. Women always bring their full self into the spaces they hold; their humanness with all their strengths and vulnerabilities that often have no space to be expressed. In this month, as we refl ect, reboot, reignite and continue our roles as astute accomplished women in leadership, let us do so with empathy, humility, and a deep sense of gratitude. We are overcomers and we do have the skill to achieve a future with no poverty and inequality. Women have the power to build and transform our economy.

Questions? irene.charnley@icloud.com