Page 24 - KZN Business Sense 3.4

KZN

KwaZulu-Natal
Business Chambers Council
ENGAGING IN CONVERSATION LEADERSHIP RESULTS IN

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS AND OUTCOMES

Musa Makhunga, that to a large degree issues which to do this. Partly because everyone As indicated above, this is also day simply because they are le
Managing Director - could be avoided end up takes it for granted that everyone very true even for nation states. open to dierent interpretations.
HR Matters (Pty) Ltd exploding into huge controversies should just know, understand, use e latest developments in the US
resulting in strife, anguish and all common sense and gure out ranging from climate change to Failure to hold structured
sorts of negativity, simply because what and how to go about doing the Charlottesville incidents conversations that matter results
we don't take time out to converse something. Oen this is dicult resulting in key people quiting in very shallow decisions and
with one another. also because it is unnatural for critical Presidential Advisory short-lived successes.
many people to raise issues in an Councils are a case in point. is Organisations prone to this oen
In my type of work, I come adult-to-adult manner. happens a lot where people feel nd themselves sliding easily into
across this almost all the time there was a denite lack of dysfunctional conicts that are
when I work with teams seeking to By the way, confronting issues in empathy in dealing with matters otherwise avoidable.
organise, plan, coordinate, control my view is dierent from having a of mutual interest. Writing in the
and lead better. Working through conversation. e former is oen New York Times, 19 August 17, Conversations grounded in
C onversation leadership barriers, challenges and factors very one way, which may involve David Gelles, notes that “the leadership are visionary, ethical,
causing frustrations, low
simply stating facts, feelings, views
development oriented, innovative,
nation (American) has split into
keeps on forcing its way
productivity and causing
political tribes, the culture wars
positive and forward looking
and or responding to these
into my thoughts as I
consider what I should write misalignment, one can’t help but without really engaging are back”. is conrms the view resulting in clarity of function,
notice that people do not hold
form and behavioural norms,
held that in the absence of
meaningfully on the matter at
about. I think this is so because I
am reluctant to add to the plethora conversations that matter. Don't hand. e latter, however seeks to meaningful engagement, which is which become sacrosanct to those
of fads on leadership such as get me wrong people do talk, say let’s engage assertively with what conversation leadership is all involved. It easy to just do things
about, people become exclusive in
one another, thus opening
actually there is a lot of talking
without engaging in conversations
ethical, thought, visionary which I take as talking about ourselves to mutual inuence their view and approach of the as it is only natural to do so.
leadership and many others as if everything but less about that which could mean even changing world, which without doubt Unfortunately as explained
leadership was many things to
many people, when it is not. For which matters. a position you may have entered negates every value, which may already, doing so does not result
me leadership is when leaders and Conversation leadership is the conversation on. have once helped the centre to in long term, and sustainable
solutions. Conversation
hold.
their collaborators inuence one about making a conscious Leadership conversations ought Leadership requires a genuine
another to higher levels of decision to say let’s identify that to be inclusive in their nature and Conversation leadership desire to be inclusive in both word
motivation and development in
pursuit of a common purpose. which matters to us, decide on result in a more cohesive provides organisations with an and deed, which can only be
why it not the other, when and coexistence as opposed to opportunity to clarify and achieved through investing time,
how this will be handled, who to encouraging enclaves of one sort articulate the game plan, rules for energy and other resources to
Why then do I want to talk drive it and how would progress or another. Nowhere do you see playing the game, which ensures accomplish.
about conversation and leadership be assessed. is sounds very lack of conversation leadership as that a common language is
in the same sentence, one may ask. T: 083 2516704
It is because upon reecting on a simple, doesn't it? In reality in our own society through developed and used which in turn musa@hrmatters.co.za
number of challenges confronting though for expediency or other growing racial, gender, class and removes the risk of potentially www.hrmatters.co.za
reasons individuals, teams,
related polarisations be it at places
incorrect misinterpretations.
us at individual, team, organisations, communities, and of learning, worship, public Oen good policies and
organisation, community and even nation states nd it dicult spaces, or on social media. programmes don't see the light of
even nation state levels, one nds
Q AND A WITH XOLI SHABALALA
Xoli Shabalala is a Director at Tongaat Hulett Developments and iLembe Chamber Board Member
What were your biggest fears have an inquisitive mind, am growth and development. ey
embarking on breaking into an adaptable and have resilience. have taught me many work and
industry? life lessons but most importantly
My greatest fear has always been Do you have a motto? to trust my instincts. I believe in
to fail. I have recently leant to It’s a bit of a cliché but my motto lifelong learning and I
accept that there will be failures has always been “Live life to the continuously seek guidance from
along the way and that failure is Full, Live with No Regrets”. those that have walked the road.
very necessary for my personal
growth. What’s important is to How do you manage stress? Are there any life dening
draw lessons and to grow from Road running. I’ve recently moments that contributed to
those experiences. joined a social running club in my your choosing the industry you
neighbourhood. I nd that are in, or inspired you to make
What advice would you give running helps clear my mind. decisions?
other women wanting to take the Aer spending ve years in
leap into a business or industry, Any advice on how to reconcile Pretoria at the National Treasury, I
which traditionally does not work/motherhood? was looking to relocate to Durban.
feature women as prominent I’m not a mother yet, but I am a I was fortunate to be called for an
industry leaders? wife. ere is a quote I came interview at Tongaat Hulett
is is our time! Being in the across that read” you can’t do a Developments where my career in
property industry, it has been good job if your job is all do”. property began. Since joining the
encouraging to see the growth in us, my success as a wife is company over two years ago, I
women participation across the important for my success at work. have grown tremendously. is is
property value chain. It is To achieve this, I make conscious primarily attributable to the
important that as women we choices daily to spend meaningful dynamic learning environment
continuously rethink our roles in time with my family. within Tongaat Hulett and the
the industry and to strategically invaluable exposure I have
position ourselves to ensure that Do you have any mentors? How received through serving in the
we remain relevant in this has their inuence shaped your iLembe Chamber of Commerce.
fast-changing environment. decisions? What did you learn
from them? What is the best piece of advice
What are the top three strengths ere are a number of women you’ve received in life?
in your personality, that you and men that have been “Your greatest competitive
believe helped you succeed in instrumental in my journey. Some advantage is that there is no one
business? have actively, and others else like you. So, be yourself.”
My three strengths are that I unknowingly, contributed to my

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