“Esse quam videri” – To be, rather than to seem
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 on life. I actually have those words as a tattoo – cheesy, corny and most likely an indicator of my age I know, but let’s not go there now! Like […]
Navigating Succession in Family Businesses in Africa: Embedding Sirdar Governance Principles
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 — ensuring leadership continuity from one generation to the next. Effective succession is not just about maintaining operations; it’s about preserving the family legacy and contributing to Africa’s socio-economic fabric. By […]
Lessons in Board Culture from a Building Fire, a Traffic Intersection, and a 20-Minute Drive Home
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 around here”—especially when the leaders are away. When it comes to culture, it’s all about the behaviour you can see (or not see). Just last week, I found myself in […]
Maximising Boardroom Impact: The Art of Timely Interventions and Diverse Perspectives
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 two questions per board meeting. That’s around 10 questions annually, so you need to make sure you think about what constitutes a material intervention.” Are You Ready To Serve on […]
Five Traits of a High-Performing Company Secretary
“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 nearly all the manufacturing industries have slipped away to other countries; when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few, and no one representing the public interest […]
The Brutal Truth: Your Intellectual Property and Brand Assets Are Being Ignored
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 customers” were thrown around, but two critical assets were shockingly overlooked – our intellectual property (IP) and our brand. Consider this: While people come and go, financial fortunes fluctuate, and […]
Busting Three Myths about Women on Boards
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 that we as Sirdar are actively engaged in and passionate about supporting – what we define as “diversity of thought” in the boardroom. While progress has been made in recent […]
Through the Looking Glass
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 preachy comeuppance and finger wagging. There was no empathy. Primarily, Mr. Jooste had a family and people who loved him and will be devastated at this loss. My condolences go […]
Female Leaders Making Inroads in East Africa
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 theme of ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’, it is apt to note that East Africa has witnessed a large increase in the visibility and influence of female leaders across various […]
Business Books for the Festive Break
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 2024 and beyond: Mindset – Carol Dweck Outliers – Malcolm Gladwell Bounce – Matthew Syed The Infinite Game – Simon Sinek Elon Musk: Risking it all – Michael Vlismas Mindset: […]
