It has been over a month since I attended the MINDS Leadership Development Programme (LDP) in Namibia, but I have realised that some experiences do not end when the programme ends. Some lessons follow you home. They show up in how you respond to situations, the questions you ask yourself, the ideas you begin exploring, and even the people you continue learning from.
For me, one of the most impactful parts of the LDP was the self-leadership sessions. One exercise that has particularly stayed with me was Rachel’s session on archetypes. We had to identify ourselves among different archetypes and reflect on our natural tendencies: how we respond to people and situations, where those tendencies serve us, and, importantly, where they may be costing us.
At the time, it was an interesting exercise. What I did not expect was how often I would return to it afterwards.
Even now, when I encounter certain situations, I sometimes recognise my instinctive response and think about whether it will help me or cost me. That awareness has challenged me to respond differently where necessary. The sessions also made me think more deeply about navigating people, interests and different environments as a leader. Leadership is not only about having good intentions or technical knowledge; it also requires wisdom, understanding the environment you are operating in and knowing that different situations may require different approaches. I left Namibia with a personal reminder that I still carry with me: to be wise as a serpent, yet innocent as a dove.
The entrepreneurship sessions challenged me in a different way.
I learned about pitching ideas, presenting them clearly and communicating in a way that allows other people to see the problem you are trying to solve and the value of your solution. But what fascinated me even more was listening to how differently people think about problems.
Sitting in the audience and hearing other scholars present their ideas made me realise how many possibilities can emerge from looking at the same world differently. I was inspired not only by the ideas themselves, but by how big people were willing to think. Interestingly, I arrived at the LDP without expecting this, but I left Namibia with several business ideas of my own that I would like to explore. Sometimes, inspiration comes simply from being in a room where other people challenge the limits of what you thought was possible.
That leads to another highlight of the programme: the scholars themselves.
I met people who have since become good friends, but what I appreciated most was how intellectually challenging the environment was. Conversations made me question things, consider perspectives I had not thought about and recognise how much there is still to learn. It was a good reminder to remain curious and never become too comfortable with what I already know. There is something valuable about being surrounded by people who make you want to learn more.
Beyond the formal programme, one of my personal highlights was meeting Francis, whose experience in investment management was particularly exciting for me as a young scholar developing my path in finance. I had the opportunity to learn about how he thinks when making investment decisions, how he approaches difficult periods in the market, and what has kept him going through different stages of his career.
What stayed with me most, however, was his willingness to continue the conversation. He encouraged me to keep asking questions and to reach out as I continue learning. That is something I do not take lightly. It reminded me that the value of programmes such as the LDP is not only found in what happens during the sessions. Sometimes it is also in the relationships and networks that continue long after everyone has gone home.
Looking back, I did not leave Namibia only with notes from leadership and entrepreneurship sessions. I left more aware of myself, more curious about what I do not know, more willing to think bigger, and with friendships and relationships that I hope will continue for years to come.
Perhaps that is one of the best measures of a meaningful learning experience: not simply what you remember when it ends, but what you find yourself thinking about and doing differently long after it is over.
