Page 73 - KZN Top Business Women - eBook 2023

Provide people with the freedom to make their own decisions

and take accountability for their business.

sustainability of the business. She has done this by and inspiration. We shouldn’t wait for something or
Industrial Relations Manager for
applying the leadership principles of servant leadership someone to make you great. Whether you enjoy reading
LabourNet
ensuring that she manages people individually based on business books, listening to podcasts, or watching TedTalk
iesl Phillips, the industrial relations manager for their specific needs. videos. Just do it! That is completely in your hands.”
LabourNet has had 13 years of experience in “Firstly, when I ask my team members how they are doing,
L industrial relations. As compliance partners to I really care about the answer. Secondly, I trust my team An infinite game
businesses. Liesl assists Labournet’s clients to resolve and this to me is crucial in business. Providing support “My future goals are to always play an infinite game,
their labour related matters. The company’s national and frameworks is absolutely necessary but what is meaning that there’s no finish line. So, to continue to
footprint means that they are able to service clients more important is to provide people with the freedom grow year on year,” said Liesl.
anywhere in South Africa. to make their own decisions and take accountability for
“I’m also in the process of acquiring my business coach
She says that she has had the privilege of managing their business.” qualification. I think if in today’s time if you are not
the KZN Industrial Relations team for the past five years. “I also actively focus on the growth of our business, and upskilling yourself or researching how to deal with
Liesl commented, “The people aspect of the business is I am quite passionate about obtaining new business, a diverse workforce or with the upcoming Gen Z and
something that I’m really passionate about as I believe in which provides my team and I the opportunity to solve millennials, you’re setting yourself up for failure.”
empowering people to reach their full potential.” their problems and add value at a high level. I successfully
Liesl is determined to always be driven by being
led my team throughout the Covid 19 pandemic and
Building blocks to success passionate about her position, irrespective of the title or
proud to say that we managed to support our clients full
the position she holds.
Hard work, having the right attitude and doing the time as well as pay full salaries to our staff.”
right thing consistently over time, are said Liesl, the “I think passion is the driving force to really make a
Be a cheerleader difference in people’s lives. People don’t remember the
three things that have been the building blocks to her
bad days or the challenges they faced. They remember
success. “There’s that very famous saying that nothing in Throughout her career Liesl has been inspired and
life comes easy. And if it were easy, everyone would do motivated by multiple individuals and has had the the leader and the mentor at the time and how that
it,” she added. privilege of working with some amazing mentors. person actually made them feel.”

Thirteen years ago and straight out of university, her She explained that challenges are something that we all To relax and unwind
working career started with LabourNet. Liesl then face. For the longest time Liesl thought that she needed
relocated and for a short period left LabourNet. However, external validation to really believe in her own thoughts Commenting on creating balance in her life, Liesl says,
she added, “I love the brand so much that I ended and initiatives. However, with the guidance of mentors “I’m very much of an extrovert and a social butterfly, so I
up coming back and was subsequently promoted to and of cause some maturity, she started to realise that enjoy just spending time with some friends and having a
industrial relations manager five years ago, and I’ve really she needed to be her own cheerleader. She added, glass of wine. I enjoy outdoors, so my husband and I love
been enjoying my role.” “I only need one vote and that was my own. The only going for hikes. We love spending weekends away and
doing some adventurous things.”
person standing between you and your goals, is YOU.”
An effective and productive leader In conclusion, Liesl said that being part of the KZN Top

Liesl is proud to be an effective and productive leader Focus on your mindset Business Women initiative has been very refreshing and
and this success she believes is achieved through her Her advice to young women today is to focus on your it is an honour to be part of such a well organised event.
people skills. mindset. “You can’t expect the A plus performance with “I think, if this story lands on one lady’s ears and I could

Liesl believes that it is important to empower people a B minus mindset,” says Liesl. “We live in a world of motivate and leave her with something inspirational,
and continuously identify successors to ensure the information, with so many platforms to gain knowledge then I feel that I’ve won something.”

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