Page 3 - KZN Business Sense-11.5 - Lesedi Metsoamere-ABSA - eBook

LEADING WITH IMPACT

AND PURPOSE

esedi Metsoamere fulfilling to see young doctors,
serves as the regional accountants, and lawyers grow
Lexecutive for Private with us over time.”
Wealth Banking at Absa Group, Lesedi acknowledges that her
overseeing both the KwaZulu- journey has not been without
Natal and Mpumalanga
provinces. Her professional challenges. “There’s no substitute
career in banking began when for hard work,” she stated. “You
have to put in the hours.”
she was just 19 years old, while
still completing her studies. As a young black woman in
leadership, she has faced bias and
Reflecting on her beginnings, doubt. “Sometimes you have to
she said, “There was a financial
institution recruiting from our over-deliver to prove you belong
at the table,” she said. “Being
university, looking for students young, being a woman, being
to join and work. That’s when I black – these are all factors, but
actually started working.” From
the outset, Lesedi was drawn to delivery silences them.”
the world of finance. However, While Lesedi is often the only
her early career revolved woman in the room, she believes
around client experience and that women bring a unique
relationship building. “I think strength to leadership. “They
that’s where the bug bit in terms call us emotional beings, but our
of what I wanted to do,” she emotions are our superpower.
shared. “It was the satisfaction of They allow us to lead with
making a client’s day that really empathy and impact.”
started me off.”
Lesedi encourages others to
Over the years, Lesedi worked take charge of their own careers
across various areas of banking, and work hard. “Nobody else
including client relationships, is responsible for your career
wealth and investment but you,” she advised. “Put your
management. Her journey into hand up for opportunities and
leadership began at a previous let your results speak for you.”
employer, where she spent six
years managing private banking She added, “I’ve rarely applied
divisions before joining Absa for roles in the traditional way.
I go directly to the head of the
two and a half years ago. “I look department and say, ‘I am the
after a team of about 45 people,”
she said proudly. “We are here person for this job – what do I
to really just make our clients’ need to do to get it?’”
dreams come true.” Balancing Ambition and
Helping people in general Lesedi Metsoamere, regional executive for Private Wealth Banking, at Absa Group Wellbeing
is Lesedi’s passion. “I believe Despite her demanding
it is essential to demonstrate role, Lesedi understands the
Her mother’s influence is
genuine empathy towards that’s quite important to me is determination shaped her evident across the family. “One importance of rest. “There’s
outlook. “My mother grew up
creating space for women to be
customers, both personally and successful,” she explained. “I’ve in Alex and didn’t have money sister is a biochemist and our no such thing as perfect
through your team, to ensure a been very intentional about to go to university,” Lesedi youngest sister has just been balance, we live in a service
positive and consistent customer shared. “She started working environment,” she said with a
experience.” mentoring young women who admitted as an attorney,” she smile. “Some days are 90-10,
are still coming up within the in a restaurant, mopping floors said. “We are all driven to excel
Driven by Excellence and financial services industry.” and washing dishes, then later because of the woman who some 60-40, others 50-50.”
Purpose She recalled with pride became a waitress.” raised us.” She makes time to recharge by
Ambition and a desire to lead helping one of her mentees Through saving her tips, her Creating Impact Beyond the enjoying the ocean. “I love the
have always been central to secure her dream job. “We mother put herself through Numbers beach. I take walks, spend time
Lesedi’s character. “Growing up, started from scratch, fixing her school, becoming a teacher of While Lesedi’s role is in the water, and just breathe.
You have to take a break –
my biggest dream was always CV, doing mock interviews, higher-grade mathematics and grounded in financial otherwise your body will take
to be at the top of anything. I and she got the job. It was biology. She left the teaching performance, her focus extends
always wanted to excel,” she such a fulfilling feeling.” profession after what she it for you.”
admitted. “I love being in Lesedi continues to mentor believed had been an impactful to meaningful impact. “I love As she looks to the future,
numbers, but I also have a
the boardroom and making and coach others, sharing career. She later retrained as heart,” she remarked. “Numbers Lesedi remains focused on her
decisions – not just for the team her story and her insights on a computer programmer and give us the data, but it’s about ultimate goal. “C-suite,” she
but for our clients as well.” leadership, confidence, and went on to lead the successful said simply. “Whether it’s as
self-presentation. “I lift people implementation of computer how we use that information to CEO of a major corporate or
Her leadership philosophy is as I rise,” she said. “That’s very systems across various be most impactful.”
grounded in purpose. “For me, important to me.” Lesedi would institutions, primarily within She also leads Absa’s national my own company, that’s the big
chair I want and I’m going to
it’s really about how you lead an like to know that when she the banking sector. Young Professionals segment,
organisation with impact,” she moves on in her career, people “I don’t know how she did which is a committee supporting achieve it.” 
said. “When people look back, are better off than before. that,” Lesedi admitted. “She
I want them to say I’ve changed showed us that excellence is the transition of students into W: www.absa.co.za
the professional world. “We
their lives in a positive way.” Inspired by Her Mother’s the expectation. When you are introduced 12 months of free
A strong advocate for women Journey born of a woman like that, you banking for final-year students,”
in business, Lesedi is deeply Lesedi draws immense can’t be anything but excellent she explained. In addition, the
committed to mentoring young inspiration from her mother, and have to set the standard for programme offers education
professionals. “One thing whose resilience and generations to come.” on money matters. “It’s been

3