In this episode of Radio Omnicor’s ongoing Leadership Series, Colleen McLintock is joined by her co-host Dr Hilton Rudnick for a conversation with Shaun Laffer, an experienced business leader who bridges the worlds of finance, operational leadership, and brand building.

Shaun began his career as a chartered accountant, developing strong foundations in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and financial strategy. He later transitioned into executive leadership roles across trading, distribution, and consumer goods businesses. His tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Sunpac provided him with deep exposure to the personal care and wellness industry, where he led brand growth, operational scale, and leadership team development.

In this episode, Shaun shares his reflections on scaling organisations, leading through complexity, and balancing strategic discipline with consumer-centred brand thinking.

🔍 We explore:

• The link between financial rigour and sustainable growth

• How to build brands that deliver long-term value

• Leadership lessons from acquisitions and business turnarounds

• What it means to develop self-sufficient executive teams

• How to stay focused and grounded in a fast-paced industry

• What great leadership looks like in the world of consumer goods

👤 About Shaun Laffer:

Shaun Laffer is a qualified chartered accountant and experienced executive with over twenty years in senior leadership roles. His career spans finance, operations, brand management, and organisational strategy. As the former Chief Executive Officer of Sunpac, Shaun played a key role in scaling the business and driving innovation in the personal care and wellness space. He continues to work with businesses on leadership and strategic growth initiatives.

🔗 Connect with Shaun Laffer on LinkedIn

🌐 Learn more about Sunpac at www.sunpac.co.za

🎙 Produced by: Siye Dlamini

🌐 Visit us: www.omnicor.co.za

📬 Contact: [email protected]

In this episode of Radio Omnicor, we dive into the complex world of psychometrics — not just the tools themselves, but the philosophy, purpose, and challenges behind them. We’re joined by Andreas Wettstein, a seasoned expert with decades of experience in assessment strategy, and Mathew Webb, Head of Assessments at Omnicor, who brings both technical and practical insight into how psychometrics drives better decision-making.

Together, we explore what separates robust, predictive tools from trendy distractions, and what it really takes to build an ethical, impactful assessment culture.

In this episode, we explore:

• The biggest problems in how psychometrics are applied in organisations

• What truly predicts performance in high-stakes environments

• The future of gamified assessments

• Why we need to be cautious of typologies like MBTI, Enneagram, and DISC

• The persistent problem with Maslow’s hierarchy in corporate thinking

• Fit vs. stretch: how to approach building teams through assessment

• Key questions HR should ask before adopting any tool

• The elements of a healthy, values-driven assessment culture

About our guests

Andreas Wettstein is a leader in the field of psychometrics and organisational development, known for his strategic thinking and straight talk about the strengths and limitations of assessment tools.🔗 Connect with Andreas on LinkedIn

Mathew Webb is Omnicor’s Head of Assessments. With deep expertise in psychometric architecture and application, Mathew is passionate about ensuring assessments serve both the organisation and the individual. He plays a pivotal role in guiding clients through tool selection and implementation with rigour and integrity.🔗 Connect with Mathew on LinkedIn

🎙 Produced by: Siye Dlamini

📬 Contact us: [email protected]

🌐 Visit: www.omnicor.co.za

Burnout isn’t just about being tired. Anxiety isn’t always obvious. And high performers? They’re often the last to ask for help.

In this episode of Radio Omnicor, clinical psychologist Dr. Colinda Linde joins Colleen and Hilton to unpack the pressures of modern work. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of CBT, Colinda offers grounded, practical strategies for managing stress, preventing burnout, and creating healthier work environments, both individually and systemically.

In this episode, we explore:

• What burnout really is and how it differs from stress or fatigue

• How anxiety shows up at work, especially in high-functioning individuals

• The personality patterns that affect how people respond to pressure

• What managers can do to prevent or unintentionally fuel burnout

• Why “self-care” alone isn’t enough and what systemic change looks like

• Simple first steps for people feeling overwhelmed

• Tools and mindsets that really make a difference

About our guest: Dr. Colinda Linde

Dr. Colinda Linde is a clinical psychologist in private practice since 1993, specialising in cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety, sleep, stress, and burnout. She’s the founder of The CBT Group, creator of the self-help platform ThoughtsFirst, and a public voice for accessible mental health through her YouTube channel: @DrColindaLinde. She also serves as Chairperson of SADAG and is a frequent keynote speaker, author, and media contributor on mental health topics.

🔗 Visit thoughtsfirst.com

📺 YouTube: @DrColindaLinde

🎙 Produced by: Siye Dlamini

🌐 Visit us: www.omnicor.co.za

📬 Contact:[email protected] 

We often say culture is a company’s greatest asset, but how do you really shape culture in ways that last? And how do you move beyond slogans and values posters into something lived, adaptive, and evidence-based? Colleen and Hilton speak to Andee Uren, Group Head of Workforce Planning, Optimisation and Engagement at Nedbank, about the science behind culture change, and how behavioural economics and experimentation can be powerful tools for transformation. Together, they unpack what it means to lead culture with intention, why psychological safety matters, and how even simple interventions, tested well, can shift how people show up at work.

We explore:

• Why culture must evolve, and how to help it do so
• What behavioural science brings to the people space
• Practical ideas for building curiosity, challenge, and safety
• The first steps any organisation can take, regardless of size

About our guest:

Andee Uren is the Group Head of Workforce Planning, Optimisation and Engagement at Nedbank. She brings deep expertise in using data and behavioural science to influence employee experience, drive cultural shifts, and support leadership effectiveness. Her work is grounded in evidence but powered by a real understanding of people and systems — and she’s at the forefront of shaping future-fit, human-centered workplaces.

This episode features a panel discussion with Omnicor experts Allayne Hewson, Pam Ziman, hosted by Colleen Mclintock and Hilton Rudnick exploring the science behind effective 360-degree feedback for leadership development. The discussion covers how to deliver honest and constructive feedback and ensure it leads to growth.

• Panellists emphasised the importance of creating a psychologically safe space for individuals receiving feedback by building rapport, explaining the aim of personal and professional development, and setting expectations for a dialogue.

• How to handle difficult feedback sessions, such as those involving defensive individuals or hypercritical managers, emphasising the need to redirect the focus towards development7

The discussion touched upon the risks associated with 360 feedback, particularly misuse by organizations and the vulnerability felt by individuals.

• The benefits and opportunities of 360 feedback were highlighted, including its potential as a "gift" for self-awareness, identifying blind spots, and fostering growth, especially for leaders.

• The episode briefly covered using 360 feedback in coaching to help individuals identify takeaways and set actionable goals.

• Time management in feedback sessions was discussed as a critical skill, focusing on guiding a meaningful conversation around key themes rather than exhaustively coveringevery data.

• The panellists concluded by advocating for leaders to undergo 360 feedback, emphasising its importance for growth, obtaining honest feedback, and understanding their impact within the organisation.

Guest’s Bio

Pamela Ziman: An internationally accredited professional coach with an LLB degree and a master’s in psychology. She has been admitted as an attorney of the Supreme Court of South Africa and is registered with the HPCSA. With over 2,000 coaching hours and extensive experience working with executives and senior managers, Pamela specialises in guiding Leaders. https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-ziman-09513575/edit/forms/next-action/after-connect-

add-position/

Allayne Hewson: A professional Industrial Psychologist with expertise in talent consulting and organisational development. She specialises in assessments, competency frameworks, and leadership coaching. With a passion for helping individuals and organisations thrive. https://www.linkedin.com/in/allayne-hewson-61132231/?originalSubdomain=za

As we wrap up this insightful episode of Radio Omnicor, if you found the expert panel's discussion with Allayne, Pam, and Hilton on navigating the nuances of delivering and receiving 360 feedback valuable, then please consider:

1. Liking this episode, subscribing to Radio Omnicor to ensure you don't miss future discussions packed with valuable insights on people, performance, and the workplace.
2. Sharing this episode with colleagues and friends who might also benefit from understanding the art of feedback.

Your engagement helps us continue to bring you these important conversations. Keep the feedback flowing, and we'll keep the insights coming.

Feel free to visit our website www.omnicor.co.za for more episodes

Contact: Colleen [email protected]

Guest: Mbuso Ntuli

Episode Description: 

Mbuso Ntuli is an Operations Manager at a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing company. His leadership philosophy is deeply rooted in the values instilled by his mother, aunties, and grandmother. Known for leading with humility and from behind, Mbuso embodies a modern leadership approach that prioritizes people over power. His dedication to self-awareness and personal growth is evident in how he has embraced feedback from critics and worked on understanding his own triggers. Learn more about his professional background on his LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbuso-ntuli-4833a9181/.1

Key Topics Discussed:

• How childhood lessons from influential women in his life shaped his leadership style.

• The philosophy of leading from behind and challenging traditional leadership norms.

• The importance of self-awareness and continuous self-improvement.

• Personal experiences with receiving feedback from detractors and working through personal triggers.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership rooted in humility can be just as effective, if not more, than power-based models.

• Personal growth and self-awareness are critical components of impactful leadership.

• Mbuso’s journey highlights the value of staying grounded and being open to learning from all experiences.

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to our podcast. Feel free to visit our website www.omnicor.co.za for more episodes and resources on innovation and problem solving.

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.

  Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to our podcast. Feel free to visit our website www.omnicor.co.za for more episodes and resources on innovation and problem solving.

  
  

  
  

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