Adapting Strategies with Regional Context
A dedicated agent of change, Lerato Molebatsi is committed to continuous improvement in her role as managing director at GE South Africa. To sharpen her leadership skills and gain the latest insights into local, regional, and global business trends, Lerato applied to the Senior Executive Program—Africa (SEPA) at Harvard Business School (HBS) Executive Education. While on the HBS campus to attend the program's third module, she shared how SEPA has helped her tailor innovative global strategies to address regional-specific challenges.
Why did you decide to attend SEPA?
I strongly believe that leaders need formal training in order to grow. I was researching executive leadership programs at the University of Pretoria's Gordon Institute of Business Science, which has a partnership with HBS. When I saw the SEPA curriculum, I knew it was the perfect fit.
Africa has many problems that, in my view, need to be solved by Africans. Solutions created outside the continent often fail because they lack local context. I saw SEPA's regional focus as an opportunity to explore how we can utilize global strategies to solve these problems on a local level.
What is it like learning alongside leaders from your region?
The participants in my cohort are from all over the continent: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya—the diversity is very valuable. I think there's a lot to be learned from the way executives operate in other countries. They have the potential to be massive disruptors—and Africa’s challenges demand disruptors.
How have you developed as a leader during SEPA?
The program offers many powerful lessons in ethics, marketing, and other important topics, but for me, the biggest benefit is how I was stretched outside my comfort zone. I realized that I've been looking everywhere else for a leader. I am the leader. I am the decision-maker.
I recently presented a solution for addressing a big challenge in our organization. Without SEPA, I would not have thought of this idea. It's bold and a bit scary. But as I move forward, I'm continuing to challenge myself.
What do you think of the dual-country format?
I love it. It's so valuable for all of us to spend time together in one place. In the first module, it was beautiful to have so many people from all over the continent meet in Accra, Ghana. And now I have the opportunity to be on the HBS campus for the final module. My group just went out in Harvard Square last night. We’re having a good time.
How would you describe your overall experience?
It's been fantastic. I love the teaching methodology and my classmates. I'm so glad I attended SEPA—everything I've learned has been so applicable. My only wish is that I'd applied three years ago when the program was first offered!
What's next for you?
I would love to run for president of the African Women's Society—or even president of South Africa! I believe politicians have the potential to be massive change agents, but most of them are simply maintaining the status quo. I'd like to challenge the power structure and rethink how we can all be more involved in creating a better world. We give too much power to individuals who misrepresent us. We need real people who know the issues and deal with them on a day-to-day basis. We need to take back our power.