As a marketer in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, my leadership journey has always been closely tied to people, place and purpose. Tourism is not just about destinations, it’s about communities and making a sustainable impact. When I joined Women Emerging Expedition, I was eager to deepen my leadership capacity and be a leader who makes better contributions in my community.
Reflections on Essence
The session on Essence allowed me to introspect and reflect on what truly shapes my behaviour as a leader. Being Zimbabwean, Education has always been at the forefront of my journey and formed the greatest part of my Essence. The session made me realise education is not static; we need to be continuously learning & unlearning. Other pieces of Essence that impact how I lead include Motherness, Nature and The Body. Motherness shows in how I seek to protect and provide structure for my team. Nature helps me reflect and reset, and my body needs care and attention so I can lead at my best.
Reflections on Elements; to Jettison or Not to Jettison
The conversations about Elements brought a key need to look at what to jettison, that is, let go of and what to combine. I had a particularly impactful exchange with Vita, a Women Emerging Guide who also works at Galloway Medical Centre. She stated how letting go of outdated habits and systems creates space for growth and innovation. Her deep understanding of her personal values strengthened her leadership and enabled her to shift perspectives toward more sustainable solutions for her growing healthcare business. The conversation outlined that progress often requires releasing what no longer serves us in our leadership growth, while thoughtfully combining elements that support long-term impact.
Reflections on Expressions
The session on Expressions taught me about the practical ways my Essence and Elements come to play outwardly. I focused on playing to the team’s key strengths. I was deeply intrigued by the combination of two seemingly opposite traits: quiet and loud which I felt was the most difficult to combine. Sometimes silence is seen as weakness but active listening is a key leadership trait. It allows full understanding and encourages constructive response when one is “loud”. Differences are always evident in teams we lead, but leveraging their key strengths builds diverse, successful teams.
As a tourism marketer, this insight resonated deeply. In the current business environment, digital disintermediation has intensified competition by enabling direct engagement between tourism providers and customers. The expedition has helped me see leadership as an adaptive practice that requires courage to jettison, clarity to realign, and confidence to integrate new approaches.
My Key-Take Away
What has been most transformative so far is the global nature of the Women Emerging community. Connecting with women leading in 20 other countries has been incredibly empowering. Their unique perspectives challenge my assumptions, expand my worldview, and affirm the power of shared learning. Through these interactions, I have begun to distinguish the forces that influence how I show up as a leader, while anchoring more deeply in the authentic essence of who I am.
As I continue on the Women Emerging Expedition, I am excited to translate these insights into action. I look forward to leading with greater consciousness, clarity, and courage and to making a more meaningful impact within Zimbabwe’s tourism landscape and the community.
