Whether at the workplace or at the business venture, women are continuously pushing the barriers to achieve their goals in life. Regardless, there are still so many glass ceilings to break and more women to uplift. Here below is some advice, derived from either talking directly to some of our women leaders and or sifting through some of the stories that we have run before.
Do not be deceived – winning hardly ever comes easily, early or the first time you try. I got into Oxford University to read Medicine on my third attempt. I was sponsored on my 76th application. I graduated eight years later (with three degrees). Pray. Listen. Work hard. Wait.
Dr. Lydia Mpanga Sebuyira FRCP, Clinical Assistant Prof
Dept of Global Health, University of Washington
“If you are good at something, make your good better; never let it rest until your better is best” Make sure you get to teach yourself a lot more to add to your craft. The more you learn the better you get at your craft. You must never get comfortable at your craft. Always look to elevating not stagnating.
Eleanor Nabwiso she is Director Nabwiso Films
As women, we have come a long way in the workplace; however, the perception that it is still a man’s world lingers around, especially as the ladder reaches its peak. We have often seen many women trying to mirror men as a mechanism to survive; one I disagree with, I believe you are the best version of yourself, so work on yourself.
Sarah Nalule Walakira – CEO Liveworks Inc Ltd
More than ever, we need empathetic leaders who seek innovative solutions to unprecedented challenges. These are qualities that many women possess, which is why we need to ensure that women are better represented in African parliaments, businesses and civil society at a leadership level.
Anne Juuko, CEO Stanbic Bank Uganda
“Women are more resilient in leadership and what we must improve is our presence at the table where decisions are made. We need power, presence and purpose to make an impact”
Dr Joyce Tamale (FCCA), Co-Founder and CEO Capital Solutions Ltd
As a woman, work hard and leave behind a mark / legacy. You will be defined by your works and sense of integrity. Women today can do all tasks and even perform better than men. So once given space, prove that you are the best choice. Above all, be transparent, trusted, reliable.
Irene Nakasiita, Head Communications, PR and Strategic Partnerships – Uganda Red Cross Society
As you get out of bed, prepare for work and rock those stilettos, never forget to bring something with you; your A Game! Work on the assumption that you will never get any other chance to show off your work prowess. Work with the intention of leaving a mark wherever you go. That is by ensuring you act professional and accomplish all your duties within or even before its stipulated time.
Juliet K Nsubuga, MTN General Manager Wholesale and Carrier Services
“Coaching peels away at layers of unawareness to create a strong platform of self – awareness, as a baseline for intentional step by step improvements. It is a gift that keeps giving, the more coaching conversations you engage in, the more awareness and inspiration for self- improvement”
Josephine N Mukumbya, CEO ABi Trust Development Ltd Uganda
Humility is acknowledging that people helped us get to where we are, and we still need people to get to where we are going.
Barbara Arimi, NSSF Head of Marketing and Communications
Listen to your gut. Women’s intuition is real. When you get good vibes or bad vibes from a person, or a situation, pay attention and then look for evidence. It will help you make smart decisions.”
Josephine Muvumba- Managing Director Metropolitan Republic
Anastacia Tshesane to become PwC SA CEO
My advice to women is, just put your foot in the door. Once you enter, you will like it. Don’t be challenged. Don’t think Pay TV is a male-dominated industry.
Nellie Mwandha, the Head of Customer Value Management (CVM) at MultiChoice Uganda
It’s a matter of time, focus on what is important today. Do your best wherever you are today, add value to others today, think others first. When you do that climbing the right ladder will be obvious.
Miriam Ekirapa Musaali, Capital Markets Authority Director Legal and Board Affairs
With some of the existing obstacles that prevent women from getting to the top, women must be more competent than their male counterparts which means like it or not you, must do the work to ensure you are the most competent person in the room, other than a technocrat.
Angelina Namakula-Ofwono, Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary dfcu Bank
Now is the time for us women to make a contribution to our nations and the world as leaders. Women have always achieved great things behind the curtains. I believe there should be no difference between women and men when competing for jobs.
Esther Nalubwama Ssempebwa, CEO Send a cow Uganda
To be competitive as a tourism business you have to pick a sufficient digital or technology positioning strategy- decide how you want to deploy technology to benefit your businesses. One of the ways technology can help you is through the deployment of customer relationship solutions that allow you to collect and keep as much detail as possible about your customers that can in turn help you to generate customer insights and build customer profiles- including such small things like their birthdays, their anniversaries etc. in advance such that you can surprise them; make them feel unique.
Lilly Ajarova, Chief Executive Officer of Uganda Tourism Board
Everyone has the potential to dream, imagine, create and share their craft with the world because it’s never too late. It’s never too late to dream big. It’s never too late to make a change. It’s never late to have dreams so if you do dream, dream big, dream wild, let your dreams be as audacious as possible, have big dreams even if you fall short, it’s still worthwhile.”
Angie Kemi Omeke, Event Stylist and Creative Director at Pink Coconut
God gave Joseph a dream about his future that one day he would be a leader that the sun, moon and stars would bow to him (Genesis 37-9). The dream was accurate that he would eventually be a great leader but the path to his greatness was not exactly what he had in mind. So young people don’t be discouraged when the dream doesn’t come to reality as fast as you want it to the path too may not be as smooth but as you continue to dream count on the lord, do your part and leave the rest to God.
Judy Kikonyogo, Chief HR and Administrations Officer, PostBank Uganda Limited
At whatever stage you are in your career, business, or life, please do ask yourself if you are living your purpose. Identifying your purpose requires some introspection and self-interrogation. One of the tricks to use is to ask yourself this question…if I had all the money in the world and all the time in the world, what is that one thing that I would still be happy to do? When you finally answer this question, you will have identified your purpose. After this, please take small steps every day to make it a reality. Then you will live a happy, fulfilled joyful life.
Damali Ssali, Acting Country Director TradeMark East Africa
Lift up others whenever you can and they will lift you up…Fellow women believed in me, they looked past my difficult background and lifted me up. Now i have dedicated my life to lifting women and fighting for their rights.
Angella Asiimwe, CEO Voice Consults Limited
Take time to master your team, their dreams, their plans, their style and adapt to them; as a leader, do not to impose your style on your team but to adapt to theirs and allow both of you to thrive. The only thing a leader can adapt is formlessness and that gives you power to adapt to everyone else’s style which is perfect for leadership
Penelope Sanyu, Chief Steward Femme Forte Uganda, CEO Qweshunga
