Empathy, putting people first remains a key factor for CHROs

Estrelita Moses 03 January 2025

Empathy and prioritising people will no doubt continue to be top of mind for the people agenda for 2025.

The human agenda, along with empathetic leadership is a strategic imperative that continues to dominate HR leadership conversations. Here’s what top CHROs had to say about championing an organisation’s most valuable capital.

Palesa Matoli, the executive head of human capital and transformation at Bidvest Bank, who took home both the 2024 Transformation & Empowerment Award and the Young CHRO of the Year Award, says the cornerstone to her approach as a human resources practitioner is prioritising people while aligning HR strategies with the business’s core objectives. “I believe in fostering a culture of collaboration and inclusion, where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to the organisation’s success.”

African Bank’s chief people officer Gcobisa Ntshona believes that a company’s greatest asset is its people. Gcobisa adds that she leads with empathy, transparency, and a commitment to empower others, while creating a space where her team feels valued and empowered. “We create a workplace where every voice is valued. This inclusivity has not only fostered a cohesive company culture, but has also driven innovation.”

For Mmabatho Tlale, Zeda Limited’s chief human capital officer, empathetic leadership is key to building a strong team. She also believed women should be spearheading this shift, while celebrating female excellence and breaking down traditional barriers. “Every day, I draw inspiration from my belief that positive change is possible through collective effort.”

It is important to be cognisant of the fact that people aren’t just skills but are whole beings who want to develop and grow well-rounded careers, Deloitte’s chief people officer Lungile Mahluza adds. She says one of the big lessons in her career has been the importance of empathy and the impact of that leadership in a team. “We always need to remember that we are holistic human beings, as much as we might compartmentalise whatever is happening in someone’s life or how it plays out in how they show up.”

Estrelita Moses

Essie Moses is the associate editor for Executive Communities. She is a former production editor for Business Insider South Africa, and former managing and mobile editor for News24.com. When she's not frantically chasing deadlines, she spends time with her family, five cats and beloved dog. (She does not have an addiction to stray animals.)

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