AFTER THE BELL: Springboks, Shoprite CEO understand the power of making supporters feel part of the team
What do Siya Kolisi and Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht have in common? Both understand that lasting success is built on teams, gratitude and a genuine connection with the people who make that success possible.
Siya Kolisi and Shoprite CEO Pieter Engelbrecht share a common understanding that lasting success is built on teams, gratitude, and genuine connections with supporters. Recently, Kolisi witnessed the Springboks' victory against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium, where he faced a large crowd of 85,975 fans. For him, the experience of singing the national anthem with his family and 85,975 fellow supporters holds immense significance, making it an unchangeable part of his identity.
After the game, Kolisi and his counterpart, Rassie Erasmus, participated in a press conference. During the 14-minute mark, Kolisi was asked about his feelings as the Springbok captain with the most wins. Instead of responding in a self-centered manner, he shifted the focus to the team, emphasizing their collective efforts and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to lead. Kolisi also highlighted the importance of giving hope to people like the Soweto fans who couldn't afford to attend matches.
Engelbrecht, the CEO of Shoprite, echoed similar sentiments in a recent statement. Both leaders recognize that talking about their teams and supporters showcases a more comfortable and authentic side. This approach to leadership seems to solve various issues, as it allows the focus to shift from the individual to the collective effort and the people who support the team or company.
For Shoprite, regularly acknowledging its customers and acknowledging the team's efforts can strengthen its bond with its clients, leading to increased loyalty and trust. Similarly, the Springboks have become increasingly valuable in terms of turnover and brand value, largely due to their ability to connect with supporters and maintain a strong sense of unity.
The genuine gratitude shown by both leaders towards their stakeholders adds to their success and sets them apart in an increasingly jaded society, where personal connections and direct links with the team or company are priceless.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
