To future managers, entrepreneurs and CEO’s

Take a second to think about where you see your career in ten years. Are you sitting at the head of a table as a well-respected manager proudly consulting with your staff members? Are you standing at a podium presenting to 500 interested and impressed listeners? Either way, it’s easy to picture ourselves as outgoing, charismatic individuals but let’s be honest; it would be more a case of sweaty palms coupled with a mouth full of “ums” and “ahs” and maybe even that one annoying habit that makes the listener turn to his neighbour and say “this woman has clicked her pen 427 times since she started” or “every time he says ‘basically’ I get to flick you”. Whatever it may be, I think we can agree that a lot has to change between now and then for us to be able to communicate the way in which we would like to.

This is where the Sasol Engineering Leadership Academy (SELA) comes in. SELA gives you the opportunity to present, consult, discuss and debate both one-on-one and to a group while receiving guidance from people who have both proudly consulted staff members and presented to 500 interested and impressed listeners. If that isn’t enough the content allows you to solve real issues within actual companies with input from people who have served as CEO’s and chairmen of massive companies. What better input to have, right?

So, bearing in mind the communication and problem solving skills you gain in the course, (not to mention the great coffee between discussions) you’ll also never be left with the thought “why were so many of the people I spoke to today flicking one another?”

Chris Tonkin
SELA 2013 Group

Engineering Leadership Academy

The Sasol Engineering and Leadership Academy is a self-development programme aimed to assist up-and-coming engineers with a non-technical introduction into the workplace.

Having studied a bachelor’s degree in engineering at The University of Pretoria, most technical aspects which will be dealt with in industry are covered over a minimum of four years of study, however none of them incorporate a full overview of soft skills education.

Soft skills refers to one’s personality traits and how they relate to people in a diverse network ranging from their social lives to a professional environment. Many soon-to-be graduates aspire to a more corporate career in engineering which includes professions such as managers, business owners or consultants. Acquiring such a position within a company requires one to interact with people on a daily basis. It is the responsibility of the leader to ensure that these people are dealt with in the correct manner. How can you oversee a group of people if you are unsure of how to conduct yourself?

The SELA programme starts off by assessing your thinking preference and personality traits through a series of assessments. Feedback is then given to the individuals based on their individual results. The tests show strengths and weaknesses and by working in groups with SELA colleagues and having weekly personal consultations with the SELA lecturers, opportunities are provided to improve on your weaknesses and to enhance and use your strengths to an advantage. Each module in the SELA programme incorporates vital aspects necessary to succeed in the workplace, including: confidence, attitude, appearance, communication, presentation skills, leadership and management.

This programme is essentially designed for you to succeed in whatever it is you choose to pursue in life!

Megan Neser
SELA graduate 2013

SELA reflection

·         Grow as an individual as one becomes more aware of your character through the different test.

·         Self-confidence rose as enough opportunities are given to interact with different people.

·         Appreciation of diversity increases as you deal with people of different race, nationality, background, discipline and personality.

·         Skills such communication, dealing with different people and uncertain situations in work places are improved as a number of coaching sessions and case studies are held specifically for that which are very insightful and significant in one’s development.

·         Creates a great networking stage with your fellow engineering students which offer a chance to create working relationships going into the working environment.

·         SELA is done in a fun manner and friendly environment so it’s a great way to spend your Saturday once a month.

Theo Kagogo
SELA Graduate, 2013