Closing the gap between potential and success

Growing up in the vibrant township of Chesterville in Durban, South Africa, I was raised by my mother and grandparents. Among them, my grandfather, a dedicated entrepreneur, was my guiding light. His kindness and hard work instilled in me a passion for business from an early age. Now as an adult, I find myself mirroring his path, exploring various sectors from personal services to education and retail.

Education was my gateway to the world, starting with St. Mary’s DSG where I matriculated. I pursued Accounting Sciences at the University of Pretoria, followed by Financial Planning Honours. My thirst for knowledge led me further; a Masters in Business Administration from the University of London, Executive Education at New York University, and now, I am pursuing a Doctorate in Coaching at Switzerland’s Monarch University.

My journey began humbly, working in a South African private bank’s contact center. Speaking up and challenging norms led to an opportunity that transported me across continents, an experience that taught me to seize opportunities regardless of their scale. This journey led to the creation of Hesed Consulting, an avenue dedicated to empowering. My career launched in banking, swiftly propelling me into an executive role. However, frustration in the corporate world drove me towards a pivotal realization. I yearned for a career coach who understood the unique challenges faced by African women in the corporate realm, a void I was determined to fill. This drive birthed my transition into coaching, aimed at helping individuals overcome obstacles and achieve fulfilling careers.

At the age of 22, when I first started challenging corporate norms, I was full of youthful optimism about business. Today, with a clearer strategy and seasoned insights, I maintain that same passion, despite the realities of the daunting business landscape. At 30, I made a pivotal decision to fully pursue my passion. Supporting others in their career journeys fills me with a sense of liberation, empowering both my clients and myself. I am passionate about African women in their careers and closing the gap between potential and success. I truly believe women to be incredible leaders.

A leader for me is someone who has mastered leading themselves, has a clear vision, inspires others with that vision and supports them in fulfilling it. I think of leadership as what I am accustomed to from childhood. In KwaZulu-Natal leadership in the traditional sense has been executed on various levels, one of them being through Indaba. This is a meeting which involves people sitting at the same level, indicating equality in how they can contribute. The most powerful person is often the last to speak after having heard everyone else’s contribution. This is how leadership should be; the ability to give everyone in your charge the benefit of being heard, to know that you set the tone, understanding that solutions can come from diverse views and acknowledge that even as the leader you are not always the most intelligent person in the room.

There is a saying that goes ‘if hard work was the only requirement to be wealthy, every woman in Africa would be a millionaire’.

So, the gap between success and the status quo isn’t only hard work. I believe this gap can be closed by opportunities and support which can be created on the continent. Helping to close this gap is why I started my business Hesed Consulting and there is none better suited or equipped to close the gap than African women. We service predominantly African women, therefore I think it’s only fair that Hesed be led by African women from across the continent. Having African women in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Botswana, Rwanda and United States of America drive this agenda to support their growth and career success. I do, however, believe that diversity breeds innovation, and is important for where leadership needs to be.

Leadership for me is through the lens of African philosophy whereby your people are kept at the heart of every decision as a leader and communal wisdom is valued over the individual’s perspective as a leader. I think the concept of Ubuntu is well encapsulated by the Nguni saying ‘umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu’. This translates to ‘a person is a person because of other people’. It is this concept that makes us human. In light of this philosophy, trust and communication for me is priority when engaging my team. I like to give guidance, offer support and then trust my team’s ability to execute. No one likes to be controlled and freedom is a value for me, so I really battle with being controlled or controlling others.

Seeking guidance from those who’ve walked similar paths is invaluable. This philosophy keeps me in a perpetual state of learning; an eternal student imbibing wisdom from others’ experiences

In every step, from Chesterville’s streets to global educational pursuits and founding Hesed Consulting, my aim remains constant: to inspire, empower, and drive the success of African women. I truly believe you are the CEO of your career. You are responsible for where you find yourself in your journey and you must lead the charge to where you want to be. Make the concerted effort to get the support you need to ensure you thrive in your career and life. There is a beautiful proverb in my mother tongue isiZulu which says ‘Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili’. This translates to ‘the route can be asked to those who have forged ahead before you’. It means that to get to where you desire and to get to where you want to be, you must seek council. The advice of others aids you in avoiding obstacles and evading errors through the wisdom that comes with experience.

• Vumi Msweli