Page 105 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

Be assertive. It’s not always easy to stand up for your rights,

but don’t walk away from challenging situations.

Her mother was also a driving force in her life,
Wealth Head, bringing another dimension. “My mother was the way forward, and the trade-offs they may need to
for Standard Bank Group in KwaZulu-Natal make to achieve the success they want.”
bold, audacious and confident and she made sure
I learned that I should never give up, no matter the Mano wants to make a contribution here and
s Wealth Head for Standard Bank Group in mentions that altruism gives one purpose in life.
KwaZulu-Natal, Mano Singh is accountable circumstances.” And as she relishes the opportunity to mentor a
Afor four business units that contribute over Mano is also very grateful for the support she gets new generation of leaders, she thinks back on her
R600 million to the provincial revenue. from her husband, and he too has helped define her early career.
character. “I’m blessed to be married to a wonderful
“When I started out, the corporate culture was Asked what advice she would give her younger self,
steeped in race,” she recalls. “And I had to work hard man who inspires me to remain patient and calm, Mano is succinct: Be assertive. It’s not always easy to
to get permission to even participate, where you even when storms are brewing, and he has inspired stand up for your rights, but don’t walk away from
were consciously and deliberately side-lined even if me to take the lead and fulfil my life’s ambition.” challenging situations. Never sacrifice your personal
you were the best candidate. I quickly learned that Declaring work-life balance to be a myth, Mano principles; be true to yourself and you will earn respect.
if I were to grow and succeed in that environment, admits that her journey has not always been
formal education was key to validating me as a easy. “I’ve had to juggle, trying to balance family Mano points out that when she was starting out,
person firstly, while also keeping my mind focused and work responsibilities. I’ve also studied almost society schooled people to be submissive to
on the future. Education gave me the confidence continually my whole life while climbing the ladder. partisan bosses. “But had I been more assertive,
that I could take on new challenges as they arose. I’ve relocated to further my career and often been particularly when I felt that I was deliberately
It also allowed me to quickly walk away from any pushed out of my comfort zone.” Her willingness overlooked for senior positions, my journey would
situation that questioned my self-worth.” to take on challenges has been part of her growth, have been catalysed in different conditions.”
but it hasn’t fostered balance. Knowledge and education are self-empowering
Looking to beacons of hope
Women should invest in their networks “When I started, I was hungry to learn about leadership
Mano has always been inspired by the people
who were beacons of hope. “There were so many Taking a somewhat controversial stand, she says and strategy, and I read voraciously. I would buy a
people who were simply born in the wrong era and that women have much to learn from men. “I’m not leadership book every single month when I was paid.
forced into serving when they really should have saying we need to do business in the same way as Later on, while I was doing my MBA, I realised that
been leading.” men,” she says. “But leadership can be lonely, and I everything I was searching for was encapsulated in
admire the tenacity with which men form networks my MBA syllabus. I just wish someone had taken me
Her father was a big influence on her life, and she aside early on and pointed me in the right direction –
learnt from a young age that education was vital. that create a structure to carry them through their it might have made a big difference in my choices and
“He taught me that education was the golden journey. This helps them maximise their success. the trajectory of my career.”
key to unlocking any door, and as long as I kept As women we’re not that good at investing in our
my mind active and learning, that would be the networks. But this takes time, and there’s no doubt She acknowledges that each adversity she faced
gift that would give me the hope and courage we have greater demands on our time.” prepared her for her personal journey, and takes
I’d need on my journey in the workspace.” But Being driven and a perfectionist, Mano still looks to pride in never compromising her principles and the
education alone was not enough. He also taught the future. “I have so much I still want to achieve,” she respect she has earned in the industry. “And when
her the value of humility and respect for all, and says, “and I still have a lot to contribute. On a daily basis times were tough, I studied harder. My father’s voice
that when it came to integrity there was no room I see people struggling to navigate their life journey in my head kept reminding me that the reward of
for compromise. and career path, struggling to make decisions about knowledge and education is self-empowering.”

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