After the August celebration of women’s month, we take a holistic view on the success of women entrepreneurs in South Africa.
Speaking at the women in leadership breakfast forum, Dr Myles Munroe stated that some of the greatest leaders in history were women. Understanding the unique nature of women’s leadership is very important for organizations. All entrepreneurs are bound to face challenges but women because of their gender often experience additional challenges when compared to their male counterparts. Many men found their leadership under the influence a woman. Women have been the source of many major social changes in history and the role of women in leadership remains undisputed till today.
“The most difficult challenge of the female folks of the post modern age is trying to be a male in a world designed for males. The 21st century woman is pressed on every side to be everything to everyone all the time. The average woman is confused and insecure about her purpose and role in life. It is to be understood that male and female are both leaders and lead differently. Your leadership authority is in your area of purpose. Your ability is equal to your responsibility. Leadership is natural and everyone is born to lead” says Dr Myles Munroe.
Differentiating between male and female leaders, males express position and authoritative power while females express influence and persuasive power. Men have forfeited the benefit of leadership through: Cultural oppression, ignorance of purpose for women, insecurity over women’s gifts and confusion of roles versus purpose, fear of competition for power.
“Your gift is your leadership and leadership is the capacity to influence others through inspiration generated by a passion motivated by a vision birth by a convinction produced by a purpose. Every human is born to lead but most people will not achieve this because of their fear for success”.
“Trapped in everyone is a hidden leader. True leadership is self manifestation. A bad leader suppresses, oppresses and prevents the development of people around her”.
One of South Africa’s youngest women in business, Barbara Selamolela, owner of Madavhu Investments says women should not be afraid to take risks and must work hard to achieve their goal.
“The purpose of true leadership is to cultivate the leadership potential in others. Leadership is measured by what happened in your absence. As a good leader, activities should run smoothly even in your absence. Leadership is not about ‘who’ you lead but ‘what’ do you lead. You have the responsibility to attract and find your gift”.
True leadership is not about finding followers or obtaining power over people. True leaders is about finding your gift and place in life. Seek to become a person of value. The secret of leadership is that it demands sacrifice. If you want to be successful, do not seek success; seek to become a person of value.
To be a great leader and successful entrepreneur, follow your heart and believe in yourself says the CEO of Shanduka Group Phuti Malabie.
The challenge of co-leading are competing for visions, priorities, passions, time, and resources and competing for sense of value. In leadership, our priorities should be key to corporate unity for the good of the whole, power of unity is key to success and generational preservation. True leaders don’t care who gets the credit but work hard for the betterment of all.
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