August 2023 | BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA
WWW.BUSINESSFLEETAFRICA.CO.ZA
(EQ) is the key to understanding and
managing your own emotions and
being sensitive to others’ feelings,” says
Pretorius.
“Moreover, EQ is the secret ingre-
dient for connecting with your team,
understanding their emotions, and
supporting them during relentless
pressure. Let them share their struggles
and concerns to keep the emotional
engine running smoothly. EQ helps you
strike the right balance between thinking
and feeling and determines your ability
to deal with unabated pressure and on-
going stress. As we navigate the dynamic
automotive landscape, let’s embrace
the power of relationships to lead our
teams,” elaborates Pretorius.
Relational intelligence
“Humility dissolves the ego, making
room for authentic connection. Leaders
who look down on others miss the beat.
The power lies in suppressing the ego
and building character. Effective leader-
ship is more about ‘we’ than about ‘me’.”
“Embrace the art of self-discipline,
leading with a firm hand and a gentle
touch. The correlation between
arrogance and failure is crystal clear. Be
humble and compassionate. Embrace
the power of humility and shatter the
barrier of ego. Never underestimate
those who admire and look up to you.
Let go of ego, and in its place, cultivate
character. True strength lies in the
humbleness that empowers you to
connect with others,” says Pretorius.
Carving your leadership philosophy
“Every leader needs a unique leadership
philosophy, a GPS that guides them
on the journey. Autocratic bosses are
relics of the past. The days of fear and
command are over. Servant leadership
is the answer, where leaders serve and
inspire their teams. Leadership is not
a way of behaving but a way of being.
Servant leaders touch the hearts of their
people, igniting passion and a sense of
belonging. They know that a caring atti-
tude coupled with results is a powerful
partnership. Nurture a culture where
humanity thrives,” says Pretorius.
Striking the perfect balance –
leadership and management
“As a leader, you are both a conductor
and an architect. Strike the right balance
between leadership and management,
knowing when to inspire and when
to plan. Your team doesn’t need a
micromanager; they need a visionary
guide. Striking the right balance between
leading and managing ensures effective
execution and a motivated team.”
Pretorius says that with a compelling
vision of the future, success will follow.
“Create a common purpose, aligning
personal and organisational objectives.
Harness the power of both roles to steer
towards success.”
Vision and a common purpose
“You are the maestro of your team,
and you hold the baton that aligns the
vision and common purpose. Excitement
about the future is infectious, igniting a
spark in every team member. Let your
vision be the guiding light that propels
the business forward. As an example,
the legendary Antarctic adventure of Sir
Ernest Shackleton, his ship Endurance,
and his team of twenty-seven polar
explorers can teach us about bringing
order to chaos through true leadership,”
explains Pretorius.
“Lead your fleet to fly in formation,
each member contributing unique
talents. Unite them with a common
purpose, where everyone feels a sense
of belonging,” adds Pretorius.
Cultivating a performance culture
“In the powerful journey of leadership,
the culture you nurture sets the rhythm
that resonates within the business.
Ignite your team’s fire to unleash their
full potential, creating an atmosphere of
triumph and motivation. Crush the toxic
culture cancers of cynicism, defensive-
ness, and stonewalling. Every team
member must be able to play to their
strengths,” points out Pretorius.
“An achievement culture has roots and
wings: grounded in the right principles
and values, it simultaneously encourages
initiative, innovation, and creativity.
Infuse your culture with values that
embrace diversity, respect, and collabora-
tion. Welcome everyone, regardless, and
unleash the power of unity. Acknowledge
excellence, and see results follow.”
An extraordinary journey awaits
“Leaders may ask: Why should people
follow me? It’s simple: lead by example,
use your humanity as the vehicle for wis-
dom, knowledge, and expertise. When
we earn respect, trust, admiration, and
affection, our team will willingly offer
their intelligence, energy, commitment,
and loyalty,” explains Pretorius.
“Truth, respect, results, and service
are our guiding principles. So, let’s lead
with purpose, inspire with passion,
and create a legacy of extraordinary
leadership that others will willingly rally
behind,” concludes Pretorius. BFA