Page 193 - KZN Top Business LEADERS-eBook

JOHAN VAN DEVENTER

ohan van Deventer is the regional manager for thereby deepening client relationships, and ensuring others while adapting leadership approaches to suit
LabourNet in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). He began sustained loyalty. different employees, contexts, and challenges within
his academic pursuits at Birchleigh Hoërskool the business landscape.
Jin Kempton Park, matriculating in 1993. Johan Expanding on this concept, Johan emphasizes the
continued his education at Technikon Pretoria, strategic partnership role that LabourNet undertakes A DIVERSE CULTURE
which has since been renamed Tswane University with businesses. He explains, “The goal is not merely
of Technology, where he earned qualifications in ensuring compliance with employment laws but also LabourNet recognises the value of fostering a diverse
human resource and public personnel management. equipping these enterprises with the tools to secure a corporate culture, understanding that it brings forth
Additionally, he obtained an advanced diploma competitive advantage in an ever-evolving business many perspectives crucial for addressing challenges
in labour law from Rand Afrikaans University, now environment. By helping businesses excel and achieve and obstacles. Embracing the philosophy that “the
known as the University of Johannesburg. high performance, LabourNet plays a crucial role in job answer is in the room”, LabourNet encourages
creation and bolstering the overall economy.” inclusivity, leveraging the collective wisdom and
Johan embarked on his professional career as experiences of its diverse workforce to devise
a labour law consultant at Manpower Labour Reflecting on his 20-year tenure, Johan views innovative solutions.
Consultants, located in Centurion. In this role, he all achievements as cumulative milestones that
provided consulting services to clients, focusing on collectively contribute to the current success of his As a leader within the organisation, Johan prioritises
labour relations issues. His capabilities led to a new endeavours. “Each small daily achievement is a step transparency and open communication to effectively
role within the company as a facilitator of labour towards broader goals, and I prefer to celebrate manage conflicts and obstacles. By fostering an
relations programmes for a subsidiary, a position he the cumulative impact of these efforts rather than environment where team members feel empowered
held for approximately four years. individual accolades,” he shares. to voice their concerns and ideas, Johan ensures that
issues are addressed promptly and collaboratively.
Following his tenure at Manpower Labour Consultants, Johan acknowledges that the most valuable advice He stresses the importance of setting realistic goals
Johan ventured into entrepreneurship by founding he has received pertains to the distinction between and clarifying roles to overcome obstacles.
Kazini Consulting, a firm he managed for three years. His being a manager and a leader. He emphasizes, “While
entrepreneurial journey shifted when he encountered managers may elicit compliance through directives, Johan firmly believes in leading by example and instill-
an opportunity with LabourNet, prompting a strategic true leadership inspires voluntary commitment from ing confidence in his team members. He underscores
career move to join the organisation. teams who share the leader’s values and vision.” the importance of flexibility in adapting strategies to
Furthermore, Johan highlights the significance of navigate unpredictable circumstances, recognising
Approximately six months after joining LabourNet, recognising one’s limitations and leveraging the the dynamic nature of the business environment.
Johan relocated from Johannesburg to KZN to lead collective strengths of a team to achieve shared goals. Additionally, Johan advocates for promoting work-life
the Durban office, that was situated in Pinetown at the He underscores the importance of being open to input balance to prevent employee burnout, understanding
stage. His leadership has been integral to the office’s from team members, as their diverse perspectives its role in sustaining motivation and productivity
operations and development. In February 2024, Johan often contribute to successful outcomes. within the team.
marked a significant milestone, celebrating 20 years of
service with LabourNet, highlighting his commitment Transitioning from a managerial mindset to that Johan finds inspiration in the success stories of South
and substantial contributions to the company’s growth of a leader has been an ongoing journey for African entrepreneurs, recognising their resilience
and success in the region. Johan, characterised by continuous learning and and fighting spirit as a source of motivation.
development. He actively seeks to enhance his
CHANGING THE WORLD OF WORK leadership skills through reading books and watching In his vision for business in KZN, Johan advocates
videos on the subject. Johan commented on the for an approach that prioritises the empowerment
Johan embodies his own purpose through LabourNet’s value of drawing insights from various sources, “as of emerging small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
and embraces the concept of ‘Changing the World of no single resource can encompass all aspects of in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing,
Work’. He aims to provide employees with compelling effective leadership”. He views this process as a means and tourism. He envisions LabourNet assisting
reasons to engage with their work beyond financial of accumulating a wealth knowledge and leadership the local economy and generating employment
compensation. By fostering a work culture that principles that can be customised and applied to opportunities by optimising HR processes for SMEs
resonates with employees’ values and aspirations, achieve success in business and beyond. and providing guidance on navigating legislative
Johan believes that employees will be more satisfied and compliance complexities.
and will deliver their highest quality of work out Johan expresses gratitude for LabourNet’s embracing
of genuine enthusiasm and alignment with the leadership strategies such as higher-level servant In conclusion, Johan’s motto is to “arrive with a
organisation’s objectives. This, in turn, enhances team leadership and situational leadership. These frame- purpose and to leave with a sense of achievement”,
synergy and effectiveness in realising the shared vision, works align with his ethos of empowering and serving which applies to all aspects of his life.
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