Divergent leadership styles means the difference between surviving or thriving
Every woman has a unique set of skills which she must use to enhance her own profile or to add value to her company. Different leadership styles complement the combined effort of any organisation and must be encouraged.
Speaking at the Economist Businesswomen Club breakfast on Friday morning, the Managing Director of Old Mutual Short-term Insurance, Nangula Kauluma emphasised that organisations that are open to different leadership styles built on the person’s own unique strengths, will increase their potential to grow in a fast-changing environment.
Talking about “Leadership in a Changing Environment” she underscored that leaders have integrity, vision, collaboration and purpose. “A leader walks their talk, they have a strong moral composition, they see and understand the vision they have and bring people together to understand and accomplish that vision because they are always setting the culture and not following it,” she elaborated.
Therefore, she explained, diversity is needed in an organisation to be able to grow and thrive. “Diversity does not equal hierarchy, it merely refers to a difference and different is not wrong and having a diverse group of people in your organization makes sure that there are different ideas and views put on the table to solve problems and to grow the organisation,” she said.
“Inclusive leaders are constructive builders. It is not always about them and their title but about the organisation and making it better to thrive and not just survive in times of change. Leaders find potential in others. While they never fully know themselves, they never stop growing and never stop working on themselves to be better,” she concluded.
Nangula is the strong and dynamic leader of Old Mutual’s asset insurance arm and provides strategic leadership for the company’s general insurance business. Coming from a public relations background, she has strong experience working with diverse cultures and cross-functional teams.
The Businesswomen Club provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and expertise through planned networking. It encourages the personal development and management skills of its members and to advance the standing and power of women. The club’s activities are sponsored by Telecom Namibia.
In the picture, from the left, Jacobina Nampila, Senior Manager: IT Implementation at Telecom, Nangula Kauluma, the Managing Director of Old Mutual Short-term Insurance, and Desèré Muller, Marketing Manager and partner of the Economist.
