What is your style as a
team leader?
I would say it is my
team across Africa
that currently
stands out as my
most memorable
achievement.
My leadership style allows me to utilise
a range of different styles depending on
the environment. Factors such as team
member seniority, our StarLink business
model, regional processes and the
complexity of relevant tasks all play a vital
role in my approach.
What do you think will be the hot
technology talking point of 2018?
This year has proved to be an exciting year
for cybersecurity solution providers and I
believe that 2019 will continue to raise this
bar as technology evolves, so does the threat
and attack landscape.
At StarLink, our focus is not to distribute
product, but to advise our channel on security
solutions that are tailor made to specific
needs. Companies will do good to stay
ahead and learn more about trends that are
here to stay such as; full-lifecycle incident
management, IoT ransomware, and attacks
powered by Artificial intelligence. AI and
Machine learning software has the aptitude
to learn from the consequences of former
events and help in classifying cybersecurity
threats, however this can work as a double-
edged sword as hackers can use the same
AI to unleash sophisticated cyberattacks,
therefore it would be wise to consult with
security advisors on turn-key solutions.
As a child, I have
fond memories of my
father’s computer in
our study. I remember
figuring out the
different applications
connecting our home
printer to the machine.
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I believe in harnessing
the power of people . . .
it is still crucial.
What are your personal interests
and where do you like to spend
most of your time after work?
As my role often requires me to travel within
Africa, there is no place quite like home after
hours and on weekends. I have two adorable
Great Danes that demand much . . . all my
attention when home.
How do you cope with stress and
demands of your career?
I believe that there is a solution to any
scenario, and it simply takes a clear
mind to find a way forward. Working
with large teams, different cultures
and several countries affords one the
opportunity to become resilient. It is
important to remember the following in
stressful scenarios: My purpose in my role;
concentrate on a positive outcome; judge
wins and losses simultaneously; prioritise
what is important; don’t compare myself
with others; have a plan and execute it; and
believe in myself.
However, if a situation is overwhelming,
it always helps to get a second opinion.
No harm comes from asking for help
every so often, even in a leadership role.
StarLink has an incredibly strong executive
management team that has many years of
collective wisdom in building businesses
and growing teams.
What gives you great
job satisfaction?
I am passionate about my role and this
is the foundation of my job satisfaction.
Striving towards being the leading, trusted
security advisor within Africa is what
drives me.