Obakeng Dlamini: At first, being paired with Jon felt overwhelming. His strong energy seemed at odds with my quiet, reserved nature, and I worried that his presence would be too intense for me. He patiently engaged with me without judgement, then cracks began to form in the shell I had built around myself, giving me a glimpse of what is possible.
At the time, I was determined to work as hard as I possibly can to secure my future in the industry and build a strong foundation for my career. I however became so focused on proving myself and meeting expectations that I neglected my well-being, personal growth, and the need for balance. I gradually realised that lasting success could not come at the expense of taking care of myself.
For a long time, I had done only enough to get by, and I still struggled to become the best version of myself the person I hoped would one day be a force to be reckoned with. Jon’s energy gradually influenced me. Through his examples, I became more patient and willing to engage with others, learning that I do not need to know someone well to begin a conversation and that every interaction could offer an opportunity for growth.
From this, I learned the importance of allowing others to ignite even the smallest spark within me, as that spark can reveal my shortcomings, deepen my understanding of myself, and encourage me to keep growing.
This realisation did not make the journey easy. I still longed for the comfort of conformity and familiar habits, while unexpected challenges continued to arise. Through it all, I held on to the way Jon made me feel, a small light burning deep within me. I may have been a king without a castle, but I still had the will to keep moving forward. No matter how small the kingdom, it deserves the best, and I owe it to myself to become better.
Even today, I sometimes feel undeserving of his time, yet his patience and influence remind me that growth begins when I allow myself to receive the support others are willing to offer.
No matter what happens… ALWAYS SERVE.
Walking Alongside a Leader
Jonathan Crisp: When I started my journey as a mentor to Obakeng (OB), I thought I would be the one doing most of the mentoring. What I didn’t expect was how much I would learn from him. Our journey this year has been nothing short of amazing from conquering the Westcliff Stairs and hiking at Rietvlei, to playing golf and even singing karaoke at one of the Class of events. Every experience has created memories, conversations and lessons that I will carry with me.
OB is a leader. Not simply because of what he does, but because of who he is becoming. Walking alongside him has also given me the opportunity to reflect on my own growth journey. He reminded me that growth requires stepping outside of our comfort zones, being courageous enough to try something different, and being present enough to recognise the lessons along the way.
Perhaps one of my biggest takeaways has been learning to understand the room knowing when to speak, when to listen, when to challenge and, sometimes, when to simply calm down and appreciate the moment.
Mentorship, I have realised, is not a one-way road. Sometimes you set out to guide someone and discover that you are walking alongside someone who is also shaping you.
OB, I cannot wait to see how your journey unfolds. The insurance industry is blessed to have you, and it has been a privilege to walk alongside you this year.
Keep growing. Keep leading. Keep going.
