This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
On August 8, 2019, Business Daily published an interview with Gerald Mahinda, the managing director of Kellogg's Africa and Middle East, where he shared his views on leadership and corporate management.
Mahinda, who previously served as the managing director of East African Breweries Limited (EABL), emphasized the importance of taking a long-term view in decision-making. He noted that leaders who value their employees and prioritize their well-being are more likely to achieve success.
According to Mahinda, successful leaders possess a high degree of honesty and integrity, are self-motivated, and play a significant role in motivating and growing their teams. He also stressed the need for leaders to balance shareholder objectives with environmental and community concerns.
When asked about his experience working in South Africa, Mahinda noted that the country's good infrastructure has been a major enabler of economic development. He suggested that Kenya could learn from South Africa's approach to infrastructure development.
Mahinda also emphasized the importance of corporate executives in nurturing a conducive environment for business. He described leaders as providers of vision and strategy, enablers of resources, and motivators of their teams.
As a mentor, Mahinda has worked with several Kenyan executives, including the CEO of Nation Media Group, Stephen Gitagama. He believes that mentoring is an essential aspect of leadership development and has helped many of his mentees achieve success in their careers.
