1. What have you found most challenging as a leader?

Moving to a new country to start a business was a rich experience with enormous challenges to match as a leader. I was tasked to lead Wisrod’s expansion into Malawi trading as Mlatho and despite being our regional kin, there was a culture clash that no book could bridge. As such, our first few months were very difficult as we had failed to understand our clients. Our fortunes began to turn when I attended seminars of Malawi Microfinance Network (MAMN). It was through this network I began to understand the cultural differences between Zimbabwean and Malawian clients. Through MAMN we partnered with another microfinance institution to serve women who do small income-generating activities. By the end of 2018, 5000 women were accessing small business loans from Mlatho across its network of three branches. These loans helped vulnerable women to meet their daily needs and provide a frontline defence in times of financial shocks. Apart from continuous learning, I have found networking to be most challenging in leadership. This is because, in my opinion, networking is the ability to relate and connect with people to inspire and empower lives.

2. How did you become a leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

Lifting others is both a life and leadership lesson I have been taught by those who have empowered me. I grew up an orphan and through the benevolence of my community and the African convention that says I am everyone's child I managed to get an education and become Chief Operating Officer of one of Zimbabwe's largest microfinance institutions, Platinum Microfinance and then the Managing Director of a fast growing up microfinance - Willbey Solutions. These are lessons I apply both to my professional and personal life. I used my limited privilege to sponsor another orphan like myself, through A-level studies and university. While our resources are small, it would be motivated to make sacrifices to better the life of somebody.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

I take the best morning routine because it promotes both wellness and productivity for my whole day. Whether I am working from home or at the office, I give myself enough time to mentally and physically show up for work. I pronounce positive affirmations which helps to combat limiting beliefs about myself and support a confident mindset. When said in the morning, positive affirmations can motivate you to do your best and believe in yourself throughout the day. I will then transition my mind from personal time to professional by dedicating time each morning to reviewing and prioritizing my tasks for the day.

4. What's a recent leadership lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of?

I believe leadership does not mean power, but the ability to empower a potential. I am trying to live by this inherent quality throughout in life

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?

How the best leaders Lead by Brian Tracy. From my answer on question 2, I am sure you can pick that, Seven Qualities of a Leader by Brain Tracy impacted me and I am trying to live with that everyday.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young leader, what would you say to them?

I believe that if social and economic change in the world truly is to take place, we must take up a wealth of opportunities in counter-intuitive collaboration between profit and non-profit. Basing on my experience I concluded that, if changing people’s lives is the ultimate, entrepreneurs fostering financial inclusion and social impact transformation are constantly challenged to innovate, design and scale-up sustainable social financial products. Therefore, I encourage every leader to check their contribution to social transformation of people around us.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader, so far?

I came into being in a traditional African blended background. The challenges faced by my family include violence, abuse, parenting, grief and communication. I established the plan of bringing our members together as a Christian influenced by the value of love and bringing people together. In 2018, I started a WhatsApp family group with 12 members. I introduced a culture of birthday parties aiming to bring members together. I took the opportunity to invite guest speakers to teach us how families can stay together. These family gatherings gave everyone a good time to check in with each other, address plans and air concerns. Our children started developing essential social skills, with boosting self-esteem and behaviour. In turn, we see changes in their academic success and they are becoming good friends with others in our community. Currently, the members of our group have increased to 61. This has taught me that one of the biggest donation families can offer one another is to spend time together. Not only does quality time strengthen and build family bonds, but it also gives everyone inside the family a feeling of belonging and security