Listen: What is Legitimate Leadership? Author and Strategist Wendy Lambourne talks about the role of 'Leadership Trust' in Modern Successful Organisations
Thirty years ago, Wendy Lambourne was an executive at a major mining corporation beset by productivity, quality and safety concerns. At the core of this were significant leadership failures. Then came a major industrial tragedy that shook the company and country.
Three decades ago, Wendy Lambourne found herself in the midst of a crisis at a prominent South African mining corporation, grappling with issues of productivity, quality, and safety. The root of these challenges lay in significant leadership shortcomings. A fatal industrial disaster would soon rock the company.
The Fruition of Legitimate Leadership
In the wake of the catastrophe, Wendy and her senior colleagues embarked on a journey of introspection, investigation, and extensive research. They recognised that the onus rested with them to instigate change. Rather than scapegoating "the culture" or subordinates, they resolved to overhaul the leadership paradigm at the highest levels, both in practice and perception. Starting with themsleves. This transformative approach would later crystallise into the widely-used "Legitimate Leadership" model, now embraced by corporations globally.
In her book, "Legitimate Leadership in Action," Wendy delves into the elusive essence that many employers aspire to but often relinquish hope of achieving. Central to her argument is the notion that employees' commitment and engagement hinge not solely on improved working conditions or financial incentives, but predominantly on the quality of personal relationships with those in positions of authority.
Join Bernard Lebelle, CEO of The Green Link and Davis Mukasa of SUSXL for a captivating coffee table chat with Wendy Lambourne, a remarkable and inspirational figure in today's world of business leadership and business transformation.
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