Page 17 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

ANDREW BARNES

ndrew Barnes, the owner of Barnes Prop- remain humble in the process. “Working hard and A CRITICAL SKILL
erties, specialises in residential and retail being prepared to do anything that you ask people to
property development in and around the do creates a strong foundation for trust and respect,” Andrew’s leadership style is also characterised by
APietermaritzburg area in KwaZulu-Natal. he explained. his emphasis on listening. He believes that truly
hearing what others are saying, as well as what they
Andrew was schooled in Pietermaritzburg and NAVIGATING CHALLENGES are not saying, is a critical skill. “The ability to listen
initially followed in his parents’ footsteps into is probably the greatest, most undervalued skill,” he
conservation. His first job, at 18 years old, involved Andrew’s involvement in the community extends emphasized. “It’s something I’ve learned and I don’t
running an anti-poaching unit, but Andrew quickly beyond property. When his children started school, always get right, but I work at it every day.”
realised that his passion lay elsewhere. “Animals he became involved in education, initially serving
don’t speak back, and I enjoy working with people,” on the board of Cowan House, a local independent In the challenging environment of first-generation
he reflected. This marked the beginning of his school, and later the regional committee of South property development in South Africa, Andrew
journey into the property industry, a field he entered Africa’s Independent Schools’ Association. has faced significant obstacles, particularly when
“by absolute default” over 30 years ago. competing with larger, more established players.
A challenge Andrew faced was during the Covid-19 “There’s a lot of really deep pockets, and you are
His early mentors played a crucial role in his pandemic in 2020. The first confirmed case of the virus often on the outside looking in,” he admitted. “But
development, particularly his parents, who were in South Africa was linked to Hilton, a neighbouring the best way to combat that is to work hard, work
government employees. One of his first employees town, and the infected individual’s children attended honestly, and face challenges head-on.”
was his mother, a situation that added some pressure Cowan House. This situation placed Andrew at the
to his early career. “If I didn’t pay her salary, she’d centre of a crisis that required action. “Engaging with Andrew works at keeping up his team’s morale by
probably kick me out!” he quipped. various ministers, the community, and the media understanding that you need to be human because
was probably one of the most trying times in my people don’t follow robots. “That means you need
SPORT AS A FOUNDATION life,” he recalled. “I think I navigated the crisis well for to be humble, caring, conscientious and genuine.
my community of people. A lot of my upbringing has If you apply those traits, the right people will
Andrew’s passion for sport has influenced his business follow you. And people will put themselves on the
approach. Over the years, he has participated in been one of engaging with people and sorting out line for you.”
numerous events, including half a dozen Duzi canoe problems off the front foot, and that’s what I’ve tried
races, nonstop Duzis, the Comrades Marathon, to do constantly.” Andrew is inspired by people who have built
mountain bike races, and has climbed some of the Andrew’s believes that success is not just about businesses from the ground up. “Anybody can buy
highest mountains in the world. an asset; not everybody can create one,” he stated.
personal achievements but about contributing He holds a deep respect for simple, hardworking
“Things that I’ve learned from sport are probably positively to society. “My why is that I think that individuals who often must overcome significant life
some of the greatest lessons that I’ve learned outside you owe it to society and to yourself to be the challenges. “You can learn an exceptional amount
of the business world,” he said. “Things like tenacity very best at whatever you do every minute of the from simple people,” he says.
and making a plan; because to a large degree, as with day,” he explained. “I deliver on my mandate, for all
sport, the business environment requires absolute those people that I work with.” Looking ahead, Andrew is optimistic about the
zest and a need to come out on top. That doesn’t future of business in Pietermaritzburg and the
mean you need to get one over anybody else. It His approach to business and life is shaped by Midlands, which he believes has significant
means that you’ve got to work with people.” a genuine love for people. “I believe that I have potential for growth, especially with the rise of
the ability to deal with a plethora of people from the middle class over the past few decades. He
This belief extends to his leadership style. Andrew different backgrounds, from captains of industry to sees opportunities for those willing to work hard
emphasises the importance of leading by example bricklayers and plasterers, who need to be heard and collaborate with others. “You’ve got to decide
and fostering an environment where everyone feels and understood,” he said. whether you’re a half-empty glass or half-full glass
valued and motivated. “You’ve got to constantly kind of person,” he said. “And I’d like to think that
look for a balance between big decisions and careful “The best advice I’ve ever received is to face things I’m the latter.”
thought,” he noted. head on... And in life, you need to love people for
where they are at, and laugh. I think that’s incredibly Andrew’s motto, “Pitch up at the start line and put
His approach recognises that people are motivated important. These three things have helped keep your ears back,” captures his approach to life and
by a variety of factors, and that as a leader, you must me real, kept me grounded and enabled me to business. He advocates giving your best effort in
be willing to take risks, make difficult decisions, and work with different people constantly.” every situation, regardless of the competition.
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