On Change with Petro du Pisani

Three innovators talk about their experiences in mining innovation. In this episode, host Petro du Pisani speaks to Elaine Hattingh (Exxaro Resources) and Sandiso Sibisi (COOi Studios) about innovation and technology in the mining industry. This conversation follows on from a panel discussion at the 2023 Mining Indaba in Cape Town which explored models on how to deploy innovation in the mining industry. Key topics covered in this podcast include whether and why the mining industry needs innovation given its long history, how to decide which technologies to invest in, the potential of open innovation collaborations, and views on the most promising and exciting future technologies like AI, IoT, robotics, and remote operations. Elaine mentions that the main reasons for innovation in the mining industry are usually to improve efficiency, productivity, sustainability, safety, and business expansion. The discussion emphasizes the need for collaboration between companies, startups, research institutions, and local communities in developing and deploying new solutions. Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A lesson on how to navigate in a male-dominated mining work environment. In this episode, Petro du Pisani speaks to Dr. Patience Mpofu, who is a multi-award winner as one of the most influential women in Mining, and a former Vice President of an Australian listed company. She is a global mining sustainability thought leader (ESG) an IWF fellow alumni, executive leadership coach, and STEM advocate. In this episode Dr. Mpofu gives an overview of her personal history, a story of grit and determination... and how she ended up writing her No. 1 International best seller "Unleashing my Superpowers," which teaches women how to navigate and succeed in a male-dominated mining work environment. Find Dr. Patience Mpofu here · Peak Performance with Patience · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student. I recently completed an Executive MBA through the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. With classes moving on-line (in 2020 and 2021) due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. In this episode, I speak to Karen Nadasen, CEO of PayU. Her research project focused on the relevance of open bank and how to assess whether open banking should be used. Karen patiently explained open banking to me, a non-finance technical person. Her study resulted in her theory of open banking, whether open banking is useful (i.e. would it make a difference if this model is applied) and how this could be applied to the South African banking system. Learn more about the UCT GSB's EMBA programme here · Reach out to Karen Nadasen here · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student. I recently completed an Executive MBA through the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. With classes moving on-line (in 2020 and 2021) due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. I decided to interview my fellow students to learn about their research. In this podcast I speak to Jordan Ludlow, who is the managing director of Tradereach. In his research project Jordan explored the role of shared leadership to improve the flow of strategy development and execution. In enabling strategic coherence he had three major findings: 1. Shifting from command-and-control to shared leadership; 2. Understanding social constructs (i.e. the underlying story of an organisation); 3. The importance of human agency. Reach out to Jordan Ludlow on LinkedIn · Learn more about UCT's EMBA · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student. I recently completed an Executive MBA through the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. With classes moving on-line (in 2020 and 2021) due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. I decided to interview my fellow students to learn about their research. In this podcast I speak to Dr. Mauritz Venter, CEO and co-founder of AzarGen Biotechnologies about his desire to be a biotech entrepreneur. Being an entrepreneur is risky, and Mauritz wanted to explore why even in spite of uncertainty, risk and anxiety there was nothing else he would rather do. This study followed on from the intense reflective practice which is part of the EMBA course. Delving deeper into his desire to be a biotech entrepreneur he found that this desire was a result of trying to be true to his values in finding a meaningful orientation that would lead to creating a better world. Learn more about UCT's EMBA · Connect with Dr. Mauritz Venter · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student. Over the past two years (2020-2021) we have been working towards our Executive MBAs through the University of Cape Town's Graduate Business School. With classes moving on-line due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. I decided to interview my fellow students to hear about their research. In this podcast I speak to Desereé van den Berg (RBS | HR Executive) about her research project which explored the link between remote work and organisation design. Remote or hybrid work is a hot topic as most of us have experienced the shift to remote work over the past couple of years, a trend accelerated due to the covid-19 pandemic. Desereé tells me more about why she chose this topic, how she did the research and what her major findings were. She also shares how this research changed her and the way she has applied her research in her workplace. Desereé found that a company's strategy is so intertwined with organisational design that that it is imperative that a strategic decision needs to be made about remote work at the correct level of the organisation. Find out more about the UCT GSB EMBA · Connect with Desereé van den Berg · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student In this episode Petro speaks to fellow UCT EMBA student, Chris Smith (Freelance Consultant in Project and Business Management). Over the past two years (2020-2021) we have been working towards our Executive MBAs through the University of Cape Town's Graduate Business School. With classes moving on-line due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. I decided to interview my fellow students to hear about their research. In this podcast I ask Chris about his research, which focused on improving happiness at work, what leaders can do...and why they should do it. Chris tells me more about why he chose this topic, how he did the research and what his major findings were. He also shares how this research changed him and the way he thinks about finding happiness at work. Chris found that happiness at work is not necessarily based on rewards and financial gain, but that the most dominant drivers for happiness were purpose and authenticity. He also found that leaders have an important part to play in helping their direct reports find purpose and happiness at work. Find out more about UCT's Graduate School of Business EMBA programme here: · Connect with Chris Smith · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A learning journey conversation with a fellow EMBA student. In this episode Petro speaks to fellow UCT EMBA student, Gordon Wilson (Achievement Awards Group) Over the past two years we have been working towards our Executive MBAs through the University of Cape Town's Graduate Business School. With classes moving on-line due to the covid-19 pandemic there wasn't enough time (for me) to connect with fellow students and hear about their research projects. I decided to interview my fellow students to hear about their research. In this podcast I ask Gordon about his research, which focused on how purpose is a driver for human behaviour. Gordon tells me more about why he chose this topic, how he did the research and what his major findings were. He also shares how this research changed him and the way he thinks about purpose. Find out more about Gordon Wilson · Find out more about UCT's EMBA programme · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A learning journey conversation Sean Lewis (UCT GSB | Lecturer) This episode is part of a series of learning journey conversations Petro du Pisani is having, as a result of meeting inspiring people as part of doing her EMBA through UCT's Graduate School of Business. In this episode Petro speaks to Sean Lewis who is a part-time lecturer for the UCT EMBA. He is also a past student of the programme. Sean teaches evidence-based management and systems thinking, and he is also interested in integrative thinking. Sean balances his lecturing with a full-time corporate IT role, and still finds space to spend quality time with his students. Sean has pursued knowledge his entire life. He is a strong, independent thinker, who naturally thrives in an environment where he is empowered to achieve organisational and personal development goals. In this conversation we hear about Sean's story and how he continuously strove to find ways to study and grow. Connect with Sean on LinkedIn · Find out more about the UCT GSB EMBA · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A learning journey conversation Chris Breen (UCT GSB) In this episode host, Petro du Pisani, speaks to Emeritus Professor Chris Breen (UCT GSB) about his life, the transformations he has seen in others and himself, and some of the concepts he teaches in his course on Personal Leadership in Complex times. Chris has a carefully crafted teaching style which he describes as follows: 'In my sessions I try to disrupt our taken-for-granted assumptions and unconscious behavior by setting the class up as a real-life, real-time micro-laboratory where each participant gets a glimpse into themselves in action. I am looking to enhance the awareness of each participant as they develop their own personal leadership qualities necessary for carrying out their daily lives with wisdom and appropriate actions that are aligned with a commitment to adding to the strength of the human spirit both in their homes and in the work place.' In this episode Chris brings wisdom and lessons from his own life, and we also talk about 'Living an examined Life' (James Hollis), the three marriages (David Whyte) and Rumi's 'The Guest House.' This episode is part of a series of learning journey conversations Petro is having, as a result of meeting inspiring people as part of doing her EMBA through UCT's Graduate School of Business. Music : Duncan Breen - Goree island Find out more about Chris Breen · Find out more about UCT's EMBA · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

A learning journey conversation Kosheek Sewchurran (UCT GSB | Associate Professor) In this episode host Petro du Pisani speaks to Associate Professor Kosheek Sewchurran, who is the programme director for the University of Cape Town (UCT) Graduate School of Business (GSB) executive MBA. As Petro embarks on her EMBA, she will speak to some of the amazing human beings she will encounter along the way. Associate Professor Sewchurran has designed this programme in such a way as to nurture and create executives who are able, in their actions and their being, to lead authentically. In this episode we talk about Kosheek's journey, some of the major transformations he has seen in people and what the burning questions are that keep him excited every day. We talk about 'everydayness', living in the moment and how we can create worlds through conversation." Music : Deliberate Thought | Kevin MacLeod (YouTube Music Library) Find out more about the UCT GSB EMBA · Connect with Associate Professor Sewchurran on LinkedIn · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

In this episode Petro du Pisani speaks to Tracey Swanepoel, Bernard Swanepoel and Lisa Shippey from Thinkspiration. They explore how storytelling can be used to explain business strategy and how to connect with people at various levels in an organisation. Storytelling is a skill that everyone can learn - it helps people to understand each other and the organisations they work in better. Thinkspiration is a company that helps leaders to tell stories, so that their strategy is easy to understand. This results in improved employee engagement, motivation and produces improved results. This episode is full of personal life-changing stories and helpful tips and tricks on how to incorporate storytelling in your work-life. Music Used : Umlungu | https://johnbartmann.com Visit Thinkspiration's website · Storytelling for Leaders · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

This is another special edition end-of-year book-review On Change podcast. In this episode Riaan Wolmarans (my BFF) and I talk about books about travel. Books that made us want to travel somewhere (or not). Books that we read, or were recommended to us while traveling. Books about places, real or invented. Join us on a journey around the world and through genres. We also reveal what we will be reading over the holiday season. Connect with Riaan on LinkedIn · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

In this episode Petro speaks to Jo Rust, Personal Life Coach, Motorcycle adventurer and author of the book "Woman Alone Around Africa." Jo holds the record as the first woman to have circumnavigated the entire African continent on a motorcycle, solo. Jo is now studying psychology and is a practical life coach. This episode explores why Jo felt the need to ride around countries and continents on two wheels, and what she learnt about herself in the process. Music Used : Sunny looks good on you, by Midnight North found at Youtube's Audio Library Connect with Jo · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

In this episode Denis Beckett (journalist, adventurer, TV presenter, radio host and author) talks to host Petro du Pisani about his story and how life has changed for ordinary South African citizens over the years. We talk about his life as a journalist, writing, politics and reading newspapers, and in true Denis Beckett style we go off on a couple of tangents. Connect with Denis on LinkedIn · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

In this episode we take inspiration from a cartoon by Grant Snider and discuss books in twelve categories; those we couldn't pick up or put down. Books we lent each other. Books we thought were about one thing, then turned out to be about something different. Books that changed us and shaped us through the years. Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

My guest is Steven Heyman (owner of Yogaworks), whose Vinyasa Flow class is a firm favourite of mine at The Yoga Republic. In this episode we explore how he went from being the managing director of a logistics company to becoming a yoga teacher. We also talk about the practice of mindfulness. YogaWorks.co.za · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

Petro du Pisani talks to Gail Cameron (MD of the Image Excellence Group) on how executive and life coaching has evolved over the past 30 years. They discuss excerpts from Gail's book "Authentic African Leadership," and touch on topics such as Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence, Resonant Leadership and the Quantum Physics of Leadership. iegroup.co.za · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

Petro du Pisani talks to Corrie Pitzer, from Safemap International, about resilience engineering in safety. Connect with Corrie on LinkedIn · Safe Map · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts

Petro du Pisani talks to Dr. Clifford Saunders (The Brain Reprogramming Doctor) about reprogramming your brain. Connect with Clifford on LinkedIn · Connect with Petro · Solid Gold Podcasts