Page 21 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

Putting up your hand for

every opportunity.

She has a simple philosophy: If you can do your important to be present in what you are doing at
Head of the Wealth and Investment Division job with your eyes closed, it’s time to regroup and any particular time, whether at work or at home, and
for Standard Bank KZN
look for new self-development opportunities. And you have to be quite deliberate about it to achieve

s head of the Wealth and Investment happily, she’s been able to do this with Standard your goals.”
Division for Standard Bank KZN, Lisa Forster Bank. “If your job allows you to integrate your Focus is a big part of her success both in her career
values with the company values, then that’s a great
Aleads a team of relationship managers and and her personal life. Right now, she’s training for
wealth managers, focusing on holistic solutions for platform for commitment and for career growth, and the Chicago Marathon. “I start my day at 4am to
I’m very grateful to Standard Bank and way they’ve
high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. get the training in. That’s being deliberate! But I
She and her team ensure service excellence in supported me through my career, in my studies and also believe in the link between a healthy body,
delivering holistic solutions, both domestically and with executive development programmes.” and a healthy mind, and my running is good for
off shore, for their clients. Right now, Lisa sees a role for herself to contribute productivity.”
to a new generation of leaders coming up the ranks
“I joined Standard Bank in the most junior position Business is about people
possible,” she laughs. “I was 17 and straight out of within Standard Bank. “I want to support them in the Given a time-machine, she’d advise her younger self
same way, and if they can benefit from my knowledge
school. Financially, university just wasn’t an option that you don’t need a leadership title to be a leader
and I was just happy to get a job.” Lisa points out and my experience, then I’m making a difference.” in your environment; that no matter how talented
that she didn’t mind starting at the bottom, and says Show up every day you are, you can’t always move up without earning
it defined her. “I had to learn, work hard and create
Asked who inspires her, Lisa notes that typically, your stripes; that’s it’s not always clear what you’re
opportunities, and I still strive to do this today.” people look to those in positions of leadership or in learning from an experience, but if you do your
Many different roles the public domain for inspiration. “But for me it’s the best it might turn out to be a defining opportunity.

Lisa has had many different roles in the business, and people who come to work despite the challenges “Take every opportunity; it’s not a waste of time, it’s
that’s stood her in good stead to progress through and adversities they face on a daily basis; who show clearing a path for you. And remember that each
the ranks. “I‘ve worked really hard to develop up every day with a great attitude, give of their best challenging day might be teaching you something.
myself professionally and put up my hand for every and really deliver for the business. They remind me So learn from it – your future self may thank you.”
opportunity. I’ve never really been guided by my on a daily basis to appreciate what I have and all the Lisa would also remind herself to protect her
opportunities Standard Bank has afforded me over
job description and I still stand by that today. Being reputation and her credibility. “They speak for you
willing to take on added responsibilities and do the past 30 years.” when you’re not in the room.” And lastly, she’d point

whatever is needed has opened up opportunities But career success doesn’t come without some out the need to build solid relationships. “So much of
for me. And I try every day to be better than the compromise. “I don’t believe you can ever really your career success depends on your relationships,
day before.” achieve work life balance,” she says. “I think it’s more because business is about people.”

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