Vishal Haripersad is the Managing Director of Knight Piésold, an accomplished leader with a passion for driving organizational excellence rooted in African values. With a career spanning over two decades in engineering and leadership, Vishal has been instrumental in transforming workplace cultures by emphasizing the principles of Ubuntu, authenticity, and a humanistic approach to leadership. His strategic focus includes fostering psychological safety, continuous learning, and talent retention, making him a respected voice in leadership development. You can learn more about his professional background on his LinkedIn profile.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The concept of Ubuntu in leadership and its significance.

• The role of authenticity and how it influences leadership success.

• Building psychological safety in organizations to help people perform at their best.

• The importance of learning as an ongoing journey and a process.

• Strategies for retaining and attracting high-performing talent in today’s environment.

  
  

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership doesn’t always need to look outside; there’s value in embracing African-rooted principles.

• Fostering psychological safety is crucial for employees to be their best selves.

• Vishal’s insights into humanistic leadership provide a roadmap for building thriving work cultures.

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In this episode, we delve into the world of creative problem solving with Jenny Greenblatt. Jenny shares her journey of developing a systematic methodology for creative problem solving and offers practical advice on how organizations can harness creativity to tackle complex challenges. Tune in to learn about innovation on demand and how to transform obstacles into opportunities.

Guest Bio: Jenny is an expert in strategic innovation and creative problem solving. She has worked as a strategy consultant for many years, focusing on measuring and improving organizational and individual performance. In the course of her consulting, she realized that there is a real need for a structured methodology to enable innovation on demand. This inspired her Doctoral research, in which she developed a systematic Creative Problem Solving methodology. She now assists organizations in applying this approach to harness their creativity to address complex problems and use these as a springboard for innovation. She is also on the faculty of GIBS and Wits Business School. 

Resources:

●     Jenny Greenblatt’s website: www.greenladder.co.za

●     Jenny Greenblatt’s LinkedIn: Jenny Greenblatt on LinkedIn

We're plunging into a crucial conversation: envisioning the future work landscape and grappling with the challenge of rewarding staff in an increasingly remote and intricate setting. And who better to guide us through these waters than the esteemed Dr Mark Bussin? As the Chairman of 21st Century, Mark's insights span across diverse industry sectors. He is a beacon in the Leadership, Governance, Strategy, HR, Reward, and Compensation spheres. Not just that, he's also penned multiple books, adding another feather to his illustrious cap. We delve into intriguing subjects like pay transparency, the mysteries of vertical and horizontal pay gaps, and the intriguing question: why do so many employees feel underpaid? This conversation promises a wealth of insights for leaders everywhere. Buckle up, listeners; this is one discussion you won't want to miss!

BIO

Mark is the Chairman of 21st Century and has experience across all industry sectors and is viewed as a thought leader in Leadership, Governance, Strategy, HR, Reward and Compensation arena. He has held senior executive positions for several multinational organisations in Financial Services (56 000 employees), FMCG (40 000 employees), Consulting (236 000 employees), Chemical, Oil and Gas (52 000 employees) and Mining (55 000 employees). Dr. Mark Bussin boasts an impressive array of academic qualifications, including a BSc, HDPM, MM, MCom, and a DCom. His professional designations further underscore his expertise: he is a Global Reward Practitioner (GRP) with WorldatWork, USA; a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) also with WorldatWork; a Master Reward Specialist (MRS) with the South African Reward Association; a Fellow of the Institute of People Management (IPMF); a Master HR Practitioner (MHRP) with the SA Board of People Practices; and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors (FIOD).

Beyond his individual credentials, Dr. Bussin plays an influential role in numerous boards and committees. He lends his expertise to listed companies such as Implats, the world's second-largest platinum mine, and Gijima, a notable IT firm. He also serves on the boards of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Great North Transport (the largest transport company in Africa), the South African Football Association (SAFA, a FIFA chapter), and the prestigious St Davids Marist Inanda School. He holds the directorship for the Marist Schools Council, overseeing five schools with 600 staff and 3500 learners. Additionally, Dr. Bussin is a part of the Society Board of WorldatWork (USA), the South African Reward Association (SARA), the supreme audit body Auditor General, FASSET, 21st Century (one of the largest HR and Reward consultancies in Africa), the King committee for Corporate Governance, and the non-profit association WorldatWork in Arizona, USA.

https://scholar.google.co.za/citations?user=NOGsBMwAAAAJ&hl=en

DM @sistermac423 if you would like to engage further.

If you enjoyed this episode, it would help us so much if you share, subscribe and like.

Our website, www.omnicor.co.za has more episodes and blogs

Episode 50

Feedback & The Power of the Right App

Working remotely in a multi-generational workforce has made the need for feedback more critical and complex, than ever before. We had the privilege of meeting with the Founder & CEO of a continuous performance management platform for all kinds of teams, Teamble, which helps embed a culture of continuous and effortless feedback for organisations. The Slack and MS Teams app makes feedback simple, continuous, and impactful.

Guest Bio:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erbilyaman/

Helpful Resources:

https://app.slack.com/client/T01DN9G37HA/C02U1N7N8EB (free trial available)

https://hbr.org/2014/06/how-to-give-your-team-feedback

DM @sistermac423 if you would like to engage further.

If you enjoyed this episode, it would help us so much if you share, subscribe and like.

Our website, www.omnicor.co.za has more episodes and blogs

Episode 49 The Journey of a Lifelong Learner

Dr Gloria Mailmela is a seasoned professional with a diverse and impressive career track record. She has demonstrated versatility and adaptability, excelling in a range of industries and roles throughout her career. Her unique blend of technical and interpersonal skills allows her to effectively navigate complex projects and lead teams to success. Dr Gloria is recognised for her innovative thinking, problem-solving abilities, and relentless drive to continuously learn and grow. Today we chat with Dr Gloria about her impressive accomplishments and reputation as a leader and how her journey of the road less travelled guided her along the way. You will leave feeling inspired and most likely want to sign up for a course or new job!

Our Co-Host Dr Anne Carvalho makes for a brighter conversation

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ann-carvalho-2976318/?originalSubdomain=za

Guest Bio:

https://www.wrhi.ac.za/expertise/detail/dr-gloria-maimela

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gloria-maimela-mbbch-mba-b38ab753/?originalSubdomain=za

DM @sistermac423 if you would like to engage further.

If you enjoyed this episode, it would help us so much if you share, subscribe and like.

Our website, www.omnicor.co.za has more episodes and blogs

There is a fine line between coaching and therapy and often leaders enter coaching to deal with emotional regulation and self-awareness, typically seen as therapy. Our guest Grant introduces us to the Schema Theory framework which provides a valuable model to use in coaching for this exact situation. The approach helps leaders better understand themselves and what drives their behaviour in the boardroom and various work situations. He unpacks fight/flight and freeze in a very insightful way. This is one to bookmark and relisten, jam packed with new and interesting content.

Guest Bio:

Grant Strong

“I am a clinical psychologist with 10 years’ experience providing consultation, evaluation & psychotherapy. Throughout my career I have consulted with clients in hospital, clinic, private practice & organisational settings.

I am experienced in psychometric evaluation, reporting and project management. In the corporate space I partner with L&D practitioners to provide leadership development & executive coaching to emerging, middle & senior leaders. As a consultant I also train front-line managers on employee wellness & managing mental health in the workplace”

Helpful Resources

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-strong-607969136/?originalSubdomain=za

http://web.mit.edu/pankin/www/Schema_Theory_and_Concept_Formation.pdf

https://www.schematherapysouthafrica.co.za/about/schema-therapy/

DM @sistermac423 if you would like to engage further.

If you enjoyed this episode, it would help us so much if you share, subscribe and like.

Our website www.omnicor.co.za has more episodes and blogs

Episode 47 - From Profit to Purpose 

This episode was a global endeavour with Terri Soller dialling in from Sydney and Gaby Rajak and I in SA. Both guests are seasoned Organisational Development (OD) Practioners with whom we are currently piloting a new workshop for Coaches and OD Practioners. We discuss the changing role of the OD Practioner in the new world of work and why we can never go back to the pre-pandemic organisational structure.

Disruption caused by Covid-19 has provided valuable opportunities for learning and leadership. But how do we make sure it is seen by organisations that way? Being visible in a remote workplace can be tricky, or has it even changed? We’ve shared what we’re hearing from our clients and coachees, and one theme coming out strongly is how businesses seem to have moved from profit to purpose with covid amplifying what already existed in our teams and organisations. Using deep curiosity to make sense of the change uncovers that we are all more resourceful than we know. The conversation was both reflective and forward looking, leaving me enthused and full of hope!

Helpful Resources:

More about our guests:

• https://au.linkedin.com/in/terri-soller-782352a

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaby-rajak-waksman-41a14311/

More about concepts mentioned:

• https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Adaptive-Leadership-Changing-Organization-ebook/dp/B004OC071W

• https://www.coaching-online.org/somatic-coaching/

• https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_94.htm

• Finally, if you would like to know more about the new OD workshop send a mail to [email protected] to hear how your OD team can benefit.

Please check out our website www.omnicor.co.za

Thank you for your support

Covid, Culture & Companies

We caught up with Colin from the happy sandpit fame for our second episode with him and as to be expected he did not disappoint. We always value the openness and authentic conversations we have, during this episode Colin reflects on the past 3 years and how he had to pivot his business to survive. Helpful ideas on the evolving world of work and engagement.

BIO:

Colin is the founder of Happy Sandpit, which helps organisations to interpret, define and embed culture and leadership philosophies and practices to drive employee engagement. He is the author of How to build a Happy Sandpit, the originator of the Three-Day Culture Field Trip, and inventor of the Iceberg! employee engagement game. He has lectured on the topics of culture, engagement and leadership at local and international business schools including Wits Business School, GIBS and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland). Colin is married with three daughters and lives in Johannesburg.

Helpful Resources:

Find out more about Happy Sandpit at: www.happysandpit.com

Find Colin on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjbrowne/

Find out more about the Iceberg virtual and face-to-face game: https://happysandpit.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Iceberg-40-Flyer-A3-New-November-2021.pdf

Please check out our website www.omnicor.co.za

Thank you for your support

Episode 45 - Exploring the Future of Civilisation, Work, and the Welfare State with Ian Mann

We are thrilled to welcome Ian back for a second time, his claim to fame is that he reads and reviews many of the top books every year, and in this episode, he gives us the best insights from them and how he sees these ideas manifesting in the future. Ian specialises in strategy and leadership, having consulted to companies in fourteen countries. His greatest strength is his ability to communicate sophisticated and complex concepts in an easy to understand, stimulating and engaging manner. He is the author of the best-selling books “Managing with Intent” and “Strategy that Works.” Ian shares a lot about what has changed and what's going to change in the world as a whole but also specifically in the world of business.

Helpful Links:

Find out more about our guest:

• https://g.co/kgs/LNTTCY
• https://www.gateways.co.za/ian-mann.html
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianmannstrategist
• https://www.702.co.za/features/40/business-books/427067/book-review-failed-double-down-and-try-again-that-s-how-you-win
• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58127926-rescue

If you enjoyed this episode, it will help us so much if you share, subscribe and like.

Our website www.omnicor.co.za has more episodes and blogs

Called to Serve

Episode 44:

Dr Carron Zinman is a Pulmonologist at Netcare’s Linksfield Hospital. Her 30 years of clinical experience could not have prepared her for the devastation COVID-19 would unleash. In this episode we had the privilege of hearing first-hand, how Carron was able to make it through three waves and her thoughts about the fourth wave looming. It brings you closer to the horrific trauma that nursing and medical staff have had to endure since the beginning of the Pandemic. A warning for sensitive listeners, Carron shares her experience unfiltered.

Helpful Links:

https://www.sajr.co.za/author/drcarronzinman/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/interactive/grief-on-the-front-line-and-beyond/

DM @sistermac423

If you enjoyed this episode, it will help us so much if you share, subscribe and like.

Our website www.omnicor.co.za has more episodes and blogs

Episode 43: Stop calling Emotional Intelligence a soft skill!

During a time when your EI (Emotional Intelligence) is as important- if not more so important than your IQ, we sat down to better understand this with Dr Karina De Bruin who teaches and measures EI for a living. Although this is a competency that can be taught, it is by no means easy. Karina wishes that we would all stop calling these skills “soft” and understand how critical they are in all areas of our lives if we want to have flourishing relationships and ultimately successful careers. Turns out that the old fashion “manners” our parents drilled into us could be the very thing we need to integrate into the world of work.

BIO:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-de-bruin-89a2641b/?originalSubdomain=za

Helpful Links

https://jvrafricagroup.co.za/

If you enjoyed this episode, it helps us so much if you share, subscribe and like. If you would like to chat further feel free to mail us: Hilton:

[email protected] or myself [email protected]

Our website www.omnicor.co.za has more episodes and blogs