August is, of course, Women’s Month in South Africa, a time to celebrate the progress made and reflect on the journey still ahead. It’s a month that reminds us not only of the resilience of women but also of the responsibility we carry as a society to support and uplift one another. I use the word society deliberately. The advancement of women, in my view, has not been driven by women alone. It has been a collective effort, shaped by the actions, support, and belief of both men and women.
Given the moment, I’ve taken time to reflect on my own path. This isn’t a piece about statistics or trends, it’s a personal perspective, shaped by my experience as a woman in business.
My journey may not mirror everyone else’s, and I acknowledge the privilege and good fortune I’ve had along the way. Much of my career has been built under the guidance and support of male mentors and managers. Some might call that luck. I prefer to see it as the result of many factors, including those men being raised and shaped by strong women in both their personal and professional lives. Women who helped them see and recognise, the fire and potential in others, regardless of gender.
Today, I serve as a member of the executive committee at Leppard and Associates. We are a team of seven, four of whom are women of colour. It’s something I am deeply proud of, not just for what it represents, but for the dynamic thinking and energy that diversity brings to the room.
We often joke about how brave our two male directors were to build such a diverse Exco, but beneath the humour lies a truth: diversity brings with it a new lens, fresh insights, and, yes, challenges too.
As someone relatively new to this level of leadership, I initially found myself grappling with imposter thoughts and questioned whether I could match the skills, confidence, and strategic thinking of my male peers. Over time, through mentorship, observation and experience, I came to a powerful realisation. Leadership isn’t about matching others. It’s about owning your uniqueness.
I’ve learned that what I bring to the table isn’t meant to mirror what’s already there, it’s meant to complement it. My perspective, my lived experience, my leadership style, all of it adds value because it is different.
Leading with authenticity has become a principle I try to live by. When we bring our whole selves to the table, we invite others to do the same. Diversity in leadership isn’t just about representation, it’s about avoiding groupthink. It’s about understanding that a diverse workforce deserves to be led by a diverse leadership team.
Trevor Noah once made a comment about “self-made” people. He said he doesn’t believe anyone truly gets there alone. There are always people who have lifted, guided, challenged, and championed along the way.
This piece is written for those people in my life, particularly the male mentors who recognised my ability, invested in my growth, and created space for me to thrive. I see you. I thank you.
To everyone in leadership, regardless of gender, my call is simple, look around, recognise the talent that surrounds you and invest in it. Create space for it. Embrace it.
When we bring different voices to the table, we build better businesses. More inclusive. More forward-thinking, and ultimately, more capable of creating opportunity not just for some, but for many.
Milesha Chetty | Executive Head of Marketing – Leppard
