HSE & ESG HEAD URGES MIDDLE MANAGERS TO FOSTER TEAMWORK
Mopani Copper Mines PLC Head of HSE and ESG, Glenda Kasonde, has urged middle management staff to play a pivotal role in fostering the culture of collaborative mindset and teamwork across the operation.
Speaking at the recent TukaChimfya Pamo alignment session for Mopani Superintendents, Ms. Kasonde said middle management staff are strategically positioned to entrench leadership principles in the workforce as “taste makers” for any organisational initiative.
“You are important leaders as our ‘taste makers’ to shape the flavor and direction of our culture,” stressed Ms. Kasonde.
“You are strategically positioned to play an instrumental role in entrenching our culture change in the workforce because you sit between senior management and the general workforce, therefore, you have a deeper understanding of both ends and their parallel interests.”
She also urged all Mopani Superintendents to develop the habit of breaking down complex problems into smaller units that can easily be understood by their teams for effective team performance and alignment.
“Our commitment to modular thinking [the idea of breaking down complex issues] empowers us to break down complex challenges into manageable pieces. Every department is important and, therefore, every Superintendent should play a crucial role in pushing the company towards achieving the shared goals and vision,” she said.
The alignment session was part of the ongoing corporate culture transformation programme at Mopani focusing on building strong workplace teams. Over a period of three weeks, over 150 Superintendents gathered daily at the People Growth Centre (PGC) at Mindola Dam in Kitwe to participate in various team-building exercises, cross-cultural interactions and practical business-growth trainings.
One of the highlights of the training programme was the presentation of family photographs by each participant, which Ms. Kasonde described as both “heartening and symbolic”, saying it would motivate every employee to work harder as the family pictures would constantly remind them of their responsibilities and commitments.
“Leadership starts at home, and the qualities you bring to your families should be evident in your roles here at Mopani. Do not let intimidation hold you back. Each one of you has a voice, and Mopani’s strength lies in its employees feeling empowered to speak out, take responsibility and uphold the values that we stand for. These pictures are both heartening and symbolic; they will constantly remind you of your responsibilities,” she said.
At the same event, one of the participants, Thandi Phiri, shared her take-aways from the alignment session which was a reflection on the three constants; Choice, Change and Principles.
“We have a choice to embrace change, to embrace Patriotism by a love and pride in contributing to nation building and African wisdom. I am, because you are, which is about acceptance and removes arrogance,” said Ms. Phiri, who is the Superintendent for Business Development under the Corporate Affairs department.
“When we become patriotic to our country and our company, we focus on enabling and empowering our teams, to set them up for significance and success.”
And International Resources Holding (IRH) Director of Operations, Gareth Taylor, commended the participants for their presentations and encouraged them to continuously practise transparency and accountability in their roles.
“Be free to tell the truth. Success cannot come if the truth is hidden. Let us lead our teams with integrity and create a fertile ground for growth on the shop floor. TukaChimfya Pamo is the engine that will drive us to become a Champion Mine through BEST,” emphasized Mr. Taylor in reference to Mopani’s new values of Businesswise, Enablement & Empowerment, Safety, Health & Environment, and Togetherness through Teamwork (BEST).
