CHOICES Magazine

Welcome to this special issue of our magazine, dedicated to the ever evolving and profoundly impactful topic of Leadership. In today’s rapidly changing world, the need for strong, adaptive, and empathetic leaders has never been more critical.

How many times have you felt like life or business was hard and you wanted to give up! You feel you’ve poured your heart and soul into something, only to feel drained and depleted. It is in the hard times that you build resilience which makes it easier to navigate life’s ups and downs. In the unpredictable rollercoaster of life, resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and thrive in the face of adversity.

The 1990s were a transformative period in South Africa, marked by the end of apartheid, the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, and the subsequent transition to a democratic government with the 1994 elections. Because of my position in the Head Office of the newspaper group, I often attended events hosted by one of our prestigious newspapers, which is how I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Mandela on several occasions.

Old Grey Mare lived and died on her own terms. Wild and free, and in her last hours, surrounded by her herd, who stood silent on a ridge above her. They held the sacred space and quietly grieved her passing. She was an estimated 32 years old.

In 2004, my life took a dramatic turn. After enduring five years of an abusive marriage with a man who seemed to have a split personality - Dr. Jekyll one moment and Mr. Hyde the next - I made the courageous decision to break free from the grip of fear and pain.

Great leaders know that creativity is a key component of survival. You must demonstrate to your team members every day of every month of every year, year after year, what creativity means and how important it is to the organization.

In this fast-paced world where we often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, maintaining peak performance is crucial. But what if the secret to enhancing leadership skills was not in the latest management book or cutting-edge productivity tool, but in something as simple and accessible as regular exercise?

For many of us, the experiences of our childhood deeply influence the paths we walk as adults. If you’ve ever felt compelled to suppress your true feelings to remain safe in a volatile environment, I feel you—I was that person, too.