Tag: ProfessionalGrowth

What happens when South Africa’s most successful CEOs, founders, and business leaders let their guard down? In CEO Nights, the bestselling author answers this question through candid conversations that reveal the realities of leadership beyond the boardroom. Drawing on his 25-year leadership journey across Africa, Mabunda explores the principles, mindsets and decisions that shape exceptional leaders.

The Springboks’ remarkable journey from a humiliating 57–0 defeat in 2017 to their narrow 12–11 victory over the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final provides the foundation for Paul Steenkamp’s Stacked. The book explores how talented individuals can transform into exceptional teams through deliberate development, accountability and shared responsibility.

We are often taught to think of a successful career as a straight line. Study something, find a job in that field, gain experience, move up, and keep going. But many careers do not always play out this way. This may be more useful than we realise.

It is not unusual to go through a rough patch at work or dislike some elements of your job. It is also not uncommon to find yourself in a work environment that does not suit your personal needs or style. However, if you have been unhappy in your job for a long time, consider your options. If you do not believe that changing employers or getting a promotion will improve things, it might be time to consider a career pivot.

There are few life experiences quite as exciting and nerve-wracking as starting a new job. Whether you have just landed your first role or you are an experienced professional taking on a new challenge, the early days matter. These first days and weeks shape expectations and set the stage for long-term success. Starting a new job requires intention, awareness and preparation from the outset.

If you thought 2025 intensified the pressure to keep up with rapid technological, business and social change, 2026 will be tougher. This assessment reflects a broader reality facing professionals across sectors. Technological acceleration, social shifts and economic uncertainty now define the contemporary workplace. In this environment, lifelong learning is key to sustaining relevance and resilience.