UKZN’s School of Clinical Medicine (SCM) hosted a workshop on the Leadership Pathway for its heads of departments, and professional services staff as well as Department of Health Heads of Clinical Units.
This event was funded through a public private partnership with a leading financial services company in South Africa, PPS for Professionals.
Speaking at the workshop, Dean and Head of the School Professor Ncoza Dlova encouraged her staff as well as heads of clinical units at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health to ensure they resist ‘complaining all the time. Remain positive and come up with solutions and most important be the change that you want to see.’
Dlova added: ‘Excellence is a moving target and one should always keep on learning.’
The workshop was facilitated by Mr Quinton Douman who is founder of 212 Business Consulting, President of Resolute Man Africa, and Head of the PPS Training Academy.
Titled: Building and Leading Effective Teams: A Simple Tool for Busy People, Douman’s presentation was very specific: ‘Power is where power goes,’ he said. ‘No title is needed to be a good leader.’
Delegates were encouraged to reflect on their own leadership styles in their teams and to come up with a vision, values and improved communication that would build strong teams.
Said Douman: ‘Always ask yourself these three questions before speaking. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Always assume positive intent and observe behavior and ask for perspective when coaching employees.’
A delegate highlighted that KZN had a severe disease burden with high incidences of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted infections while health officials in the province were hampered by limited resources, resulting in many of those in management positions feeling despondent and disillusioned. The delegate then asked: ‘How then does a leader keep a team motivated?’
Douman responded: ‘Find a way to remove the barriers preventing your team from succeeding. Some of these challenges may be due to resources and systems which require a great deal of creativity and input from higher up so rather focus on issues you can change such as attitudes and providing your team with the best skills and knowledge to deliver optimally.’
Douman’s concluding remarks were: ‘Real power is not intimidating but elevating. Leaders can choose to be a multiplier or a diminisher. Always ensure your employee leaves your office feeling motivated.’
Words: MaryAnn Francis