International leadership speaker and author Dr. Derrick Samuels has called on Eswatini's captains of industry to adopt ethical, accountable, and results-driven leadership to accelerate the country's economic transformation. He made these remarks during an executive leadership session held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mbabane, where he delivered a presentation titled 'The Victor's Mentality: The Leadership Mindset that Produces Impact'. The session was attended by CEOs of state-owned enterprises, directors, and senior government officials.
Samuels emphasized that the country's peace, stability, and relatively low crime rate provide a strong foundation for attracting investment, particularly in the manufacturing sector. However, he stressed that effective leadership would be crucial to unlocking this potential. He challenged leaders to move beyond identifying challenges and focus on developing practical solutions that would deliver tangible results. Samuels urged leaders to adopt 'heart leadership' rather than 'belly leadership', prioritizing the interests of the people and the country over personal gain.
According to Samuels, effective leadership should be built on collaboration, shared responsibility, ethical conduct, and a willingness to solve problems collectively. He cautioned that a lack of cooperation and unhealthy competition could undermine progress, drawing from his observations of African communities in the United States. Samuels emphasized that leaders should create environments where individuals and institutions work together towards common objectives rather than competing at the expense of collective success.
Samuels introduced the VICTORS framework, which comprises seven principles for effective leadership: Vision with Value; Inspirational Ideas with Intentionality; Connection with Character and Compassion; Transparency with Trust; Organisation with Observation; Results with Resilience; and Self-leadership with Respect. He explained that leadership requires more than occupying positions of authority, noting that leaders need a clear vision, integrity, the ability to inspire others, and resilience to deliver results despite challenges.
Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini, who coordinated the session, had received Samuels for a courtesy call at the Private and Cabinet Office on Monday. The session was sponsored by the Derrick Samuels Leadership Institute (DSLI), LLC, based in New Jersey, United States of America. Samuels described Dlamini as "someone who has the eyes of an eagle." The Prime Minister's office did not provide further comments on the meeting.
Dr. Nondumiso Ncube, National Executive Director of the National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA), spoke on behalf of the participating leaders, thanking Samuels for sharing his leadership insights. Ncube stressed that accountability and integrity were fundamental to effective leadership, underscoring the importance of ensuring that leaders remained answerable for their decisions and performance.
Dr. Derrick Samuels is a globally recognized leadership and project management expert, trainer, author, and mentor. He has authored over 45 books and holds a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences. Samuels has taught at various universities, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Thomas Edison State University. He equips individuals and organizations to grow their potential, perform, lead with purpose, and create lasting impact.
Key points
- Dr. Derrick Samuels challenges Eswatini leaders to adopt effective leadership to accelerate economic transformation
- Samuels introduces the VICTORS framework for effective leadership
- The session was attended by CEOs of state-owned enterprises, directors, and senior government officials
