In this second part of the episode, Mary Kinyua shares her profound insights on leadership. For her, leadership isn't about being intoxicated by power; it's about authenticity and creating sustainable environments for future generations. Authentic leadership lies in service, where the heart truly connects.
Reflecting on a daunting moment during COVID-19, Mary recalls how Oserian Flowers were forced to dispose of 1,000,000 stem cells due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this moment exemplified the difficult decisions that leaders must sometimes make. She also shares the challenges she had responding to HR issues during this season and how she found solace in coaching fellow HR colleagues.
Mary openly shares about fear of rejection and the impostor syndrome struggles of leaders. Her thoughts on impostor syndrome on LinkedIn garnered over 13,000 views and resonated with many, including colleagues. This inspired her to write her first book, "A Guide for Emerging Leaders: How to Beat the Imposter Syndrome.”
Appreciation beams as Mary speaks about her current employer, Naivas Supermarkets, a success story with 93 stores and ambitious plans to reach 100. With an average employee age of 29, the company is passionate about learning and growth. They're not just rewriting history but shaping the economy and working tirelessly to change from ground zero.
Mary delves into the evolution of HR, its importance for big and small companies, and why it remains a crucial function at every stage. As a business partner to the leadership, Mary ensures that suitable structures and documentation are in place. She emphasizes that HR isn't just about annual performance but consistent growth, resulting in a more balanced organization. The conversation shifts to HR's influence on a company's success. HR holds the highest honor for Mary in impacting change and reassuring CEOs. She speaks on HR's vital role in advancing sustainable composition and being an essential teammate.
Mary examines the challenges of Kenya's sizeable young labor market and the talent shortage. She advocates for intelligence through hard work and calls for a movement into the entire talent market by training workers. She believes this is the key to not exploiting the labor force.
Mary shares that an organization is made of small but vital parts, warning against complacency. She stresses the gap between people and the required talent as a critical issue and laments the lack of feedback in the workplace.
Concluding the episode, Mary recounts some of her biggest lessons, emphasizing the importance of feedback and the art of consistent problem-solving. She leaves listeners with a powerful message about the joys of leadership and the profound influence a leader can have.
Mary Kinyua is the Chief Human Resource Officer of Naivas Ltd, Kenya's largest chain of supermarkets with close to 100 stores spread throughout the country. She was nominated as the Top 40 Under 40 Woman of the Year in 2019 and received the prestigious 2019 HR Director of the Year - 2nd Runner-up award. As an accredited Executive Leadership Coach and a member of the Institute of Human Resource Managers, she continuously seeks personal and professional growth through her education at institutions like Nanyang Business School, Strathmore Business School, and the Centre of Corporate Governance. Mary is pursuing her Doctorate studies in Strategy and HRM at the University of Nairobi.
