Once in a generation there emerges a leader whose influence captures the imagination of a nation. In the context of South Africa, Nelson Mandela was one such leader.
He embodied a sense of purpose, vision and determination. These attributes constitute the essence of what differentiates exceptional leadership from bad leadership.
In the e-book Thuli Madonsela On Leadership, we bring you an introspective look at someone whose leadership also bears the hallmarks of Mandela’s exceptional leadership ethos: advocate Thulisile (Thuli) Nomkhosi Madonsela.
While history remembers Mandela for his unrivalled ability to help reconcile South Africa, Thuli is likely to be remembered for her unwavering commitment to principle.
As public protector, Thuli has had an unenviable task - taking on the “establishment” to hold those who violated public trust accountable. Just like Mandela, she is someone who has led from the front lines, by example and with moral clarity.
Throughout her time in office, Thuli showed great courage, even in the face of ridicule, scorn and disdain from some of the very same people that aught to have done everything to make it possible for her to do her job unhindered.
She put the mandate of her appointment at the centre of everything she did. Even death threats could not deter her from her work. Ultimately, Thuli understood that her office was a critical last line of defence for South Africans against avarice. Her work garnered her friends as well as enemies. Even then, she was able to rise above the fray, and lay a strong foundation for accountable leadership.
It is this backdrop that has served as an inspiration for this e-book, to look at Thuli’s contribution to South Africa from a leadership perspective. In May, Thuli was a guest on our leadership show on Cliff Central, and discussed with us and our listeners her insights about contemporary leadership issues.
In this book we share some of the lessons that emerged from our conversations with her so that you can gain full appreciation of Thuli’s legacy as a leader. So, come along on a journey of discovery. The lessons will expand your horizons about the essence of exceptional leadership.
They will also reshape your thinking about the possibilities inherent in your current sphere of influence as an established or aspirant leader. We study leaders because of the power they wield to drive specific outcomes - for better or for worse. So, if we don’t understand leaders and the context in which they exercise or perform leadership, we will never know the extent of their contribution to our society.
Thuli understands this particular dynamic of leadership so well. She acknowledged in our conversations that a leader should have a vision to guide their purpose, and thus they be able to translate their power into positive outcomes for the greater good.
This book is not all that there is to write about the wisdom of Thuli. Her leadership journey thus far is just the beginning, and this is why we focus on embracing your given responsibility as a leader to kick off this immersive journey with one of South Africa’s most iconic leaders.
The truth is: unless you understand your responsibility as a leader, you will never embrace or understand the true greatness of your role. In Thuli’s own words: “Seek first to understand before seeking to be understood.”
* Ellis Mnyandu is founder and chief executive of Candid Media Group, publisher and co-author of Thuli Madonsela On Leadership (e-book available on Amazon.com). See www.candidmedia.co.za and www.leadershipplatform.co.za for more information.
* The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Independent Media.
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