Women in Leadership Seminar - UNISA

Felicia Goosen
Sep 1
2 min read

The Power of Resilient, Authentic and Inclusive Leadership.

Reflections from the Women in Leadership Seminar.

There’s something powerful that happens when women in leadership come together—not to compete, but to build each other up. The Women in Leadership Seminar was a reminder that leadership doesn’t have to be lonely. It can be collaborative, deeply authentic, and grounded in shared purpose. Together, we explored what it means to lead with integrity, resilience, and courage—and how we can support each other in doing exactly that.

Here are a few standout insights that are still echoing:

"You don’t need anyone’s permission to lead."

- Leadership is not about imitation. It's about knowing who you are, showing up in strength, and leading from within.

"You cannot be resilient if you are fragile."

- Resilience isn’t reaction—it’s preparation. We must build it both internally and through the environments we choose to be part of. “You need prior resilience to be resilient.”

"Are we telling… or are we dialoguing?"

- We were challenged to shift from delivering answers to engaging in dialogue. Don’t just include people’s problems—include the people.

"Courage is not the absence of fear. It's moving forward through it."

- And when setbacks come—as they inevitably will—agility, integrity, and community are what allow us to rise again.

"Legacy is about sharing."

- If knowledge stays in the same room, how can we grow? Mentorship, storytelling, and collaboration are essential to passing the baton forward.

"Authenticity + Collaboration = Resilience."

- This was more than a quote—it was the theme. Whether it’s advancing the SDG agenda or leading in our own organizations, authentic leadership backed by collective action opens new paths for change.

A powerful reminder: “The problems are many, but the solutions are in the room.” - Prof Thuli Madonsela

Thank you to University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika and all the amazing speakers.

To the women—and allies—who continue to show up, share, and lead: thank you. Let’s keep building together.