Lift As You Rise

Book excerpt: Bonang Mohale is a highly respected South African businessman, who is known as much for his patriotism and his active role in seeking to advance his country's interests as for the leading role he has played in companies like Otis Elevators, Shell South Africa and South African Airways, among others. Developed over 30 years of business experience, his insights have motivated change in organisations and individuals alike. As CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, he frequently shares his insights through speeches and articles on the role of business in South Africa and the core tenets of leadership. Lift As You Rise is a compilation of some of his spoken and written words in which Mohale reveals the issues he is passionate about, among them transformation, people development, constructive collaboration and integrity, and how they came to define his career and his life. He looks into the ideas behind his words and offers fresh thoughts on the subjects they cover. This well-balanced compilation is enhanced by contributions from others he has mentored or met on his journey which underscore who Mohale the man is, a fearless and energetic leader whose compassion, humanity and eternal optimism promote hope and encourage action. There is value in this book for leaders in all walks of life, but it is Mohale's hope that young people specifically, those rising through the ranks, will find his insights and experience inspiring, for they are the country's future leaders.