As we transition into 2025, it’s essential to pause and reflect on the experiences that have shaped us during 2024. This year, my journey has
A recent set of road trips afforded me an opportunity to catch up on one of my favourite podcasts, Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell. In
As family businesses continue to play a crucial role in the global economy, the challenge of ensuring sustainability through generational transitions looms large. It is
Rather than go through the usual “5 reasons why businesses fail” formula, which are typically related to the businesses plan and operational aspects, I’d like
East Africa, one of the continent’s fastest-growing regions, offers vast business opportunities, but with growth comes the challenge of navigating constantly evolving legal frameworks. For
In 2019, the co-founder and CEO of WeWork, Adam Neumann, was ousted and the combination of his departure, the company’s failed IPO and a massive
Becoming a non-executive director (NED) often feels like the pinnacle of a professional career….and the anticipation as one starts positioning oneself through focused personal branding,
The global lockdown changed the way that we think about travel and led to improved internet connectivity. Traditional board meetings, sub-committee sessions, and strategic planning
In a world rife with moral dilemmas and ethical failures, I have long been a fan of Cicero and his fellow stoics’ perspectives and takes
As a business leader, you’re likely asking critical questions as you prepare for the future: What’s my business’s purpose? What strategies will truly drive us
Family businesses form a vital part of Africa’s economy, driving employment, innovation, and community development. Yet, one of their greatest challenges is succession planning —
Culture is a slippery concept, defined in countless ways, yet the definition that resonates with me is simple: “the way in which we do things
As one experienced boardroom player explained, “We have eight meetings a year. You probably get the opportunity for one, or, if you’re really lucky, perhaps
“I have a foreboding of an America in my children’s or grandchildren’s time — when the United States is a service and information economy; when
In the boardroom, “robust conversation” is often seen as a sign of healthy governance and decision-making. As a Board Advisor, I have frequently heard directors
Let’s not kid ourselves: The journey of entrepreneurship isn’t just thrilling; it’s a relentless grind filled with hurdles that require unshakeable grit and unapologetic determination.
My entrepreneurial journey has been a transformative experience, filled with both challenges and triumphs. Reflecting on my path, several key learnings stand out that have
There is a lot of talk about diversity, equity and inclusion these days. The focus on visible forms of diversity – colour, race, gender, age,
To rise to the top of your chosen field requires dedication, hard work and good luck. As much as we would all like to believe
Visit any bookshop (of the virtual or bricks-and-mortar kind) and you’re likely to find the “shelves” grimacing under the weight and sheer volume of material
In my view, one of the clear differentiators between the way Africa sees governance, and the way that the USA looks at it, is that
Understanding the composition of a company’s board goes far beyond knowing the resumés of its members or what demographic differences exist; it delves into the
When preparing for a board meeting, one must answer two fundamental questions, namely, “What is the reason for the meeting taking place?” and “What does
Imagine waking up to the news that a top executive at your favourite brand has been embroiled in a scandal. Your trust in that brand
Effective boardroom dynamics are crucial for the success and strategic direction of any organisation. A well-functioning board can drive innovation, ensure accountability, and provide valuable
Once upon a time in a vast and ancient forest, there grew a Little Tree. This Little Tree was full of potential, dreaming of reaching
The starting point for most of the workshops that we as Sirdar run with family-owned and privately-held businesses of all sizes, is to help them
James Carville, a political strategist who worked for 42nd US President Bill Clinton, came up with what has often been quoted as “It’s the economy
In the intricate realm of corporate governance, TLAs (Three-Letter Acronyms) serve as indispensable tools, streamlining communication and encapsulating complex concepts into succinct abbreviations. However, for
Good governance is a universally applicable principle. One of the key misconceptions that we come across frequently is that governance training in Africa is not
Billy Connolly (Scottish Comedian) once described parliament as “a beautiful building where great ideas go in, then get bashed about by a few and then
As the media attention starts to shift to France for the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, I am reminded of Casablanca, a well-known Hollywood film.
People are going deaf because music is played louder and louder, but because they’re going deaf, it has to be played louder still. I used
In a recent board meeting, amidst discussions about assets and liabilities, a startling realisation emerged: Typical responses like “our people,” “our financial resources,” and “our
Family-owned enterprises are not only the backbone of Africa’s economy, contributing significantly to both GDP and employment, but they also uphold and transmit cultural and
In my experience in dealing with boards, very few decisions are actually made. All too often the focus is on the minutes, matters arising and
In the realm of corporate governance, the topic of gender diversity on boards of directors continues to stir debate and garner attention. It is something
Last week Markus Jooste, the public mastermind of the Steinhoff corporate scandal, took his own life. This news was largely reported with a combination of
Through a great partnership, our business engages with several interns and tech savvy young people at the start of their careers. Engaging with them on
Group think causes boards to miss opportunities and make avoidable mistakes. This is so because the fewer differing perspectives that are applied to a challenge,
Inclusion is crucial in all sectors of society for several reasons, underpinning both moral imperatives and strategic advantages. In line with the International Women’s Day
A chairperson must remember that their ultimate role is to facilitate robust discussion at a board meeting. The best image to have in mind is
East Africa, with its diverse cultures, rapidly growing population, and increasingly stable political landscapes, offers a myriad of opportunities for businesses looking to expand or
Before going into the details of the specific traits of a great chairperson, it is important to understand what the role of a chairperson is
I believe that the following will resonate with you: The Practice Last week Sunday, I was reading the news and saw that the petrol price
Storytelling as a way of passing down learnings from one generation to the next is an ancient form of mentorship. While this still takes place
As we are winding down for the year-end break, I suggest using the time to read books such as the following to prepare yourself for
In this era of increased focus on diversity on boards, it is important to view having independent directors as a necessity rather than a box
The concept of “business strategy” has different meanings for businesses of different sizes. To a publicly listed corporate business, strategy means days – perhaps even
If there is one major risk on a list that will continue to occupy the minds of directors and senior management in organisations on a
As an entrepreneur who has decided to leave a lasting legacy by professionalising your business so that it can outlive you, you may be wondering
It is often stated that the efficiency and effectiveness of directors at board meetings are largely dependent on the quality of information received at such
In the dynamic world of business, organisations are constantly faced with the challenge of adapting to changing landscapes while steering towards success. At the heart
Many organisations evaluate their leadership strategies annually with one crucial aspect under scrutiny being director rotation, which refers to the practice of periodically changing key
When you think of a high-performing board, what do you see in your mind’s eye? A group of individuals all smiling and high-fiving around a
A number of considerations need to be made in determining the composition of the board of a company. These considerations include but are not limited
A recent finding against a group of directors in a South African legal firm is a very good reminder of the scope and extent of
Ever had the nagging feeling that you’re not good enough, that you don’t belong, that you don’t deserve that executive role or the board position?
Author: Tendai Mrerwa Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations form part of the key factors that holding companies, investors and government entities consider when deciding
The role of a company secretary has evolved from that of being merely an administrative role to ensuring increased focus on good corporate governance practices
Climbing a mountain is a daunting task that requires extensive planning, preparation, and a clear understanding of one’s capabilities and limitations. The journey towards the
If you have not heard about the heroics of Gelje Sherpa yet, here is a summary: He was ascending “the death zone” on Everest along
Non-executive director fees are the fees paid to persons who serve on a company’s board of directors in a non-executive position, and are usually paid
While board voting can serve as a mechanism to resolve conflicts and make decisions, it should be approached cautiously – and used only where absolutely
While comparing ineffective boards with those battling to make lifestyle changes might seem like a strange concept, hear me out. Achieving success requires that both
It is common in larger and listed companies to have alternate directors. The main director (for purposes of this article, we will use the example
We are thrilled to reach yet another milestone in Sirdar’s journey – as of March 2023, our team footprint extends to Australia as well! Roger
A story all too commonly told: You have an idea. It’s a really good idea – an idea that you know will change the direction
As the year starts winding down and we find time to disengage, it is always good to keep the mental processes turning over with some
Now in its sixth year of being facilitated, our Applied Directorship Programme has been accredited! Close to 600 aspirant and experienced board members have joined
When we don’t feel well, we go to see a doctor so that he or she can assess our symptoms, make a diagnosis and provide
It’s not all about rugby as these leading All Blacks fans embark on a farewell tour New Zealand-born Carl Bates who has nurtured and grown
We don’t need to tell you that change is inevitable – it is around us everywhere every day. Another fact is that change happens faster
Successful family businesses all need to navigate the journey of healthy separation between The Family and The Business. While a growing business comes with its
There are a number of anticipated key aspects that every board needs to explore for the year ahead. It is helpful to start by thinking
“There are things we know we know, those that we know we don’t know and those that we don’t know, we don’t know” – a
While board evaluations generally form part of any good boardroom methodology, many boards choose to not leverage the insight that can be gained from them.
Find out more about the state of boardrooms across Africa in this, our third such survey.
While smaller companies are particularly vulnerable to risks that can result in business disaster, mobilising organisational culture can lead to rapid growth and sustained profitability.
If your board members hone these skills, your board will be well poised for high-performance.
Noreena Hertz said: “Having women on boards is good for women, good for the economy and good for society. A win-win-win outcome: how rare.” Find out more.
If the person you are looking to appoint has these characteristics, you are already halfway to building a high-performance board.
We must continuously invest in ourselves to remain relevant. Do not let your knowledge, practices and skills become outdated.
In drafting this piece about what the Fourth Industrial Revolution (also known as 4IR) means for us as boards and directors, I am inspired by
The board’s role in governing technology use – now known as ICT (Information and Communications Technology) – is increasing and accelerating, especially so given the
By Catherine Engmann A few months ago, a friend who I have worked with on various consulting projects sought my advice. He wanted to understand
Many may think that you have “arrived” now that you have been appointed as a director. You have worked relentlessly to be placed in such
Breaking news over the past week has been the finding that Dudu Myeni, former Chairwoman of South African Airways has been declared delinquent for life.
There seem to be so many cases in the media around the globe of directors acting badly! Whether they are directors in conflict with one