Emotion AI in the workplace: The next leadership challenge nobody is talking about
Artificial intelligence is changing the workplace at an extraordinary pace. Most conversations have focused on generative AI, automation and productivity gains. Yet a quieter development is beginning to attract the attention of business leaders, researchers and regulators alike. It is called Emotion AI. Also known as affective computing, Emotion AI refers to technology that attempts […]
Is AI anxiety creeping up on you?
A few years on from ChatGPT’s release, how we feel about AI has changed. Our conversations about AI, at work and in life, have shifted from the abstract to the tangible. With so many uncertainties around AI, and the lack of guardrails, AI optimism is increasingly tempered by AI scepticism. From worrying about whether our […]
Protecting your mental bandwidth
Every day we need a certain mental bandwidth to think clearly, make decisions and solve problems, big and small. We also need it to relate to others well and respond to their needs and wants appropriately. But we are living and working in an increasingly overloaded and fragmented world. Our attention skates over one screen […]
Promoted, but not prepared: The hidden cost of poor leadership transitions!
What are the challenges that Managers face during transition into new roles? Businesses need a proactive strategy to support transitioning leaders in order to avert failure and create added value by increasing a new manager’s effectiveness. What is the problem? The scarcity of talent in the marketplace often leads to fast-tracking leaders. This is a […]
Long-term incentives – anchoring executive pay?
Executive rewards in financial services are entering a period of recalibration. In South Africa’s financial services sector, remuneration discussions now centre on one core theme – balance. How do organisations protect themselves from excessive fixed salary commitments while still attracting and retaining leaders capable of steering businesses through economic uncertainty, regulatory pressure, and rapid digital […]
Are you recruiting for a role or a personality?
When we present a strong shortlist, the panel is always blown away with the quality. The experience is there and the technical capability is clear. Even so, the question on everyone’s mind is, what are we really hiring for? It’s clear they can do the job, but have we really given personality enough consideration. It’s […]
The AI-literate leader: a boardroom non-negotiable in 2026
An AI-literate leader is no longer a future-facing ideal or innovation add-on. In most organisations, AI is already embedded in day-to-day operations, from drafting client communications and summarising meetings to research, analysis and operational reporting. The board-level question has shifted from whether to invest in AI to how to scale it safely, responsibly and profitably. […]
Why long-term incentives are becoming the anchor of executive rewards
Executive rewards in financial services are entering a period of recalibration. In South Africa’s financial services sector, remuneration discussions now centre on one core theme: balance. How do organisations protect themselves from excessive fixed salary commitments while still attracting and retaining leaders capable of steering businesses through economic uncertainty, regulatory pressure, and rapid digital change, […]
The quiet power of mentorship on the leadership journey
There’s a widely held assumption that mentorship is about career advice – helping someone get promoted, mapping out a five-year plan, or sharpening their CV. And yes, sometimes it is. But from what I’ve seen over the years, the most powerful mentorship moments aren’t packaged that way. They come in the form of presence, perspective, […]
3 Leadership challenges SA Asset Managers face at the end of 2025
Against the backdrop of unending global economic and geo-political turmoil, the South African financial sector faces significant localised challenges. Asset Management firms have spent most of 2025 navigating the country’s modest economic growth as well as the significant demands from evolving regulatory frameworks, and ongoing investor demand for more innovative products. Without a meaningful economic […]