In this highly practical session, Dr Emma Elkington and Dr Irene Brew-Riverson explored how entrepreneurial leadership, growth mindsets and collaborative innovation can empower women entrepreneurs.
The discussion began by highlighting the significant role women play in African entrepreneurship, noting that African nations have some of the highest rates of female business ownership globally.
“Entrepreneurial leadership is a mindset that focuses organisations on turning problems into opportunities that create economic and social value.”
A central theme was the concept of entrepreneurial leadership, explored through six leadership paradoxes identified in a PwC study.
The 6 Paradoxes of Leadership:
- Tech-savvy humanist
- Globally-minded localist
- Strategic executor
- Humble hero
- Traditioned innovator
- High-integrity politician
The key message was that leadership is not about choosing one side of a tension but learning how to balance both.
“Leadership is about holding tensions that seem contradictory; confidence and humility, tradition and innovation, global ambition and local understanding, and learning how to balance them in order to move forward.”
The importance of having a growth mindset was also discussed, highlighting some key areas:
- Recognising and acting on opportunities
- Making decisions with limited information
- Remaining adaptable and resilient
“The entrepreneurial mindset really puts us in a place where nothing is just impossible.”
The session concluded with practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasising passion, purpose, collaboration, adaptability and learning from failure. Rather than viewing setbacks as endpoints, the speakers encouraged participants to see them as opportunities to pivot, learn and continue pursuing meaningful impact.
The TransformHER webinar series is designed under the Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme (SWEEP), implemented in collaboration with the British Council, and hosted by the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme under Universities South Africa (USAf).