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Thank you to the 1,400 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 questions!
I hope reading

7 Questions with PHYLISIAH MNENE

helps you in your leadership.

 

Cheers,

Jonno White

7 Questions with PHYLISIAH MNENE

Name: PHYLISIAH MNENE

Current title: FOUNDER & CEO

Current organisation: IRIS EXECUTIVE ADVISORY SERVICES

Phylisiah is the Founder and CEO of IRIS Executive Advisory Services Africa, a Human Resource, Remuneration & Change Consulting organization based with its Head Office in Tanzania and Regional Offices in Nairobi, Kenya.

She is a Certified Human Resource & Change practitioner and serves in several Human Resource Committee Boards in East Africa and also as a Board member for several organizations. Throughout her career, Phylisiah has worked as a human resources practitioner across a multitude of industries including Banking, Telecommunication, Marine, Hospitality, NGO and Manufacturing.

Phylisiah is an alumna of Vital Voices and also a mentor/coach for Non Profit organizations that mentor start-ups in East Africa.

Phylisiah with her team developed a Digital transformation strategy and diversified IRIS Offerings and developed the IRIS Salary Survey online software, Job Evaluation and IRIS Recruit for NGO Jobs for the East African market. Phylisiah is also the pioneer of the Tanzania Human Resource Annual Summit that is now celebrating its 10th Anniversary.

7 Questions with PHYLISIAH MNENE

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1. What have you found most challenging as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise?

I worry mostly about managing growth and growing predictably and also to consistently deliver sales results with the right teams.

2. How did you become a CEO or executive of a large enterprise? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I wanted to establish an HR & Training organization and thus, I decided to act and take the first basic steps, after noting that we are not compatible with my employer at the time. I had the vision, inspiration, creativity and talent to provide a service. So, I did.

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

Currently, I work from home unless I have clients' meetings. My official work time starts from 10 am, up-to 1 am

Sales and Admin meetings are usually held on Mondays, from 11 am - 1 pm Software technical meetings are held on Mondays from 8 pm - 11 pm

4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?

Be ready for Change anytime. The strategic plans for the year you have in January can become obsolete in February.

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?

Biography of Winnie Mandela. She was adored, feared and hated more than any other woman in South African history. This biography is an in-depth and intimate look at Winnie Mandela’s personal and political life and the book traces her development from talented and privileged child to dedicated social worker, caring wife and mother, and fiery political activist. It examines her vigorous campaign to keep the name of her jailed husband alive, and explores her own harassment, imprisonment and isolation at the hands of the security police. She believed in the struggle and kept it alive. As a woman, it's not easy.

6. How do you build leadership capacity in a large enterprise?

Building Leadership Capacity is usually a personnel development process designed specifically to help bridge gaps that might exist between organization goals and the ability to successfully embed and sustain best outcomes. In our organization, we aim to foster TRUST and increase ACCOUNTABILITY in order to achieve RESULTS. Individuals are responsible for their development and as an organization; we help to facilitate the process.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a CEO or executive of a large enterprise so far?

I have learnt that any leader must be able to develop their emotional intelligence. EQ can save organizations, Nations and Lives.

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