Page 155 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

JENNIFER REDDY

ennifer Reddy is the current chief executive (SAICA). This course enabled her to regain with these challenges, Jennifer says that she always
officer of Morar Incorporated. She attended the confidence in herself. goes back to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. “Everyone
University of KwaZulu-Natal, formally University needs something. Everyone needs to feel something.
Jof Natal and obtained honours in accounting “After I had two kids, I was trying to figure out who I As leaders we need to understand what our people
from the former University of Westville. She joined was. What should I be in the world? The trainer told need to keep them motivated.”
PricewaterhouseCoopers in Durban and completed me something simple: Have you ever just asked for
her articles together with writing both board exams what you want? In a nutshell, it was just me asking While monetary value plays a significant role in
my stakeholders – my husband and my employer –
and qualifying as a chartered accountant. professional careers, people want to feel valued
will you be OK if I start this journey of self-discovery? most. Jennifer explained that it’s small things like
Jennifer’s first job was administrative work for a And everyone came to the party – and they ended remembering people’s birthdays, giving them a
family business to earn a little spending money up being my greatest supporters.” personal call or a card, and celebrating moments of
and keep herself occupied during school holidays. achievement when they did well on a project that
EMOTIONAL JOURNEY
are important. “It’s making them that feel they are
BORN TO BE A LEADER contributing to us moving forward, making them feel
The biggest challenge Jennifer has faced was when
Describing her purpose in her current position, she assumed the role of CEO of Morar Incorporated. part of the team, and making them understand that
Jennifer says that she was born to be a leader. “I With that position came many issues as her mentor no one is better than anyone else. We all are working
believe everyone is driven by a higher power that of 13 years suddenly passed on. together.”
leads us along a path. I was fortunately in the “I had to face the emotional journey of trying to SILVER LINING
right place at the right time and within a crisis an be strong for my employees and for my fellow
opportunity arose, and there I found my purpose directors. Very few people understood there was an Jennifer finds her own inspiration in learning
in becoming the CEO of Morar Incorporated. My emotional side to what I was going through. I was about people’s journeys. This inspiration applies
purpose was to continue a legacy that was already just as lost as the other people in the company. We especially to those who come from the humble
set forth, but to embark on my very own legacy of beginnings and who have built everything they
were employing over 120 people at that point. The
being a leader in the financial services sector.” have around them.
hardest part was getting the self-belief that I had the
One of Jennifer’s proudest moments was having grit, resilience, and stamina to carry the company She explained, “When they speak to you, you feel
her master’s thesis published by the South African forward. I had been managing the business, so I the wealth of their knowledge, empathy, and
Journal of Business Management (University knew what had to be done.” compassion. Also, the stamina and the resilience
of Stellenbosch). While this publication had no Jennifer found the strength within herself and they had to show in their lives to get to where
monetary value, Jennifer believes that this inclusion navigated her team through this time of loss by they are. It’s the leaders who didn’t come from
validated that she knew what she spoke about and demonstrating to them that within a crisis comes generational wealth. It’s the leaders who self-made
that she added meaning and value to a knowledge opportunity. In addition, she said that she had their businesses, who saw opportunities and were
world. “You sometimes underestimate who you are incredible people supporting and believing in her, brave enough to take risks.”
and what you’re capable of. But in years to come, I which gave her much comfort as she needed to
can show my children and their children that I am a believe in herself. While Morar Incorporated has gained traction
published author.” within South Africa and across borders, Jennifer
“We are moving forward, everything goes on. We would like to grow their international footprint
In addition, Jennifer received a top student award are going to greater heights and digging deep. We larger. “I believe in the next five years Morar
in that year from Nick Binedell for his subject, were able to find it in ourselves to take ourselves to Incorporated will be a name that’s recognised
Strategy and General Management. the next level,” commented Jennifer. with quality and excellence. I believe we are as
competitive as any other company in this market,
The best advice that Jennifer has received was HIERARCHY OF NEEDS and we’ll be renowned as leaders in our field.”
when she embarked on a six-month journey of
self-discovery and self-development on an in- Businesses such as Morar Incorporated are very much In conclusion, said Jennifer, “My motto is quite
augural leadership course for women held by the male dominated, with many personalities at play, simple: ‘Within every crisis lies an opportunity’, and
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants which can cause conflicts and obstacles. In dealing it is for you to see the silver lining.”
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