We like to round up each issue by giving featured business leaders the final word. In the current issue we asked “What or who has been a source of inspiration for you during your career?”
Charles Sakanya, CEO, Mopani Copper Mines
“The burning desire, or urge to succeed; summarised in one word, “Attitude”, has been my source of inspiration during my career. Success I believe is defined by the following:
- Hard work = 98 percent
- Knowledge = 96 percent
- Attitude = 100 percent
- Love of God = 101 percent
Whilst hard work and knowledge will get you close, only attitude and the love of God will put you over the top.”
Peter Olyott, CEO, Indwe Risk Services
“I am fortunate to have been mentored by some really good people in my career in insurance. From my early days as a trainee underwriter, through to my introduction to insurance broking, risk management, and then the opportunity to personally engage with some captains of industry across a broad spectrum of sectors.
“I am forever grateful to those who taught me to drive the change in me, myself, installing a hunger for knowledge and the desire to know and understand any subject matter inside out and back to front. I believe that these characteristics have enabled me to succeed in my chosen profession.
“Lastly, I have met a cross section of people from all walks of life, and this has probably been the biggest plus of the career I have chosen. From the best legal and financial minds to entrepreneurs, politicians, clients and colleagues – as an out and out introvert, never did I think that the most enjoyable part of my job would be to meet and interact with so many different people.”
Naseem Lahri, Managing Director, Lucara Botswana (Pty.) Ltd
“I am inspired by the people in my country, to help me make the right decisions to make the areas I work in a better place. I am able to empower an individual, family, community and a nation with the decisions I make.”
Ryan Bidgood, Management Strategist, Office National
“From a leadership style perspective, the person that I admire and look up to is a gentleman by the name of Brand Pretorius. A South African born and bred, he was the first Westerner to sit on the board of Toyota Corporation and his management style is very consultative and inclusive. With the successes that he had in both Toyota and McCarthy, one of the dealerships that he ran, his leadership style is very inspirational.”
