The deeper aspect of leadership that is rarely talked about

That was the heart of the youth leaders training at the YMCA in Orlando East, Soweto on Saturday, 15 March 2025 – a space where 15 young women and leaders were not only taught about leadership, but challenged to redefine it. The training was a tool to equip leaders to lead beyond surface-level strategies. Facilitated by Heartlines' Tshepo Sitole, the session didn't deal in empty motivational platitudes or stale leadership ideas, it was a training that dug deep into what it really takes to lead in our contemporary world where mental health, self-awareness and emotional intelligence are as vital as strategy and action.

From the moment Tshepo started speaking, it was clear this wasn’t just another seminar. He was relatable and supportive, meeting these young leaders where they were. Aided by Heartlines resources, Tshepo homed in on the importance of impacting our environments with positive values and promoting a caring society. Showing love to others but not neglecting ourselves in the process. Leadership, he emphasised, isn’t just about taking action – it’s about seeing people. “It’s very important to check in on others,” he pointed out, “but what happens when their answer doesn’t match their reality? Leadership is learning to read between the lines and moving into tough conversations.”

Powerful reflections

For Nabai Foundation founder, Nonceba, the session hit home. Her foundation mentors and equips girls with leadership skills, but the mental health talk caught her by surprise. “We pour so much into others but today reminded me that you can’t lead from an empty place. Taking care of yourself is part of the job.”

Matshidiso, another participant, walked away challenged to rethink stereotypes, especially when it comes to fatherhood and the roles society assigns us.

“I have learned a lot; that there are values which the father will need to sustain. Also, we need to break the stereotypes and be united as a nation.”

But the true impact of the training wasn’t just in the insights, it was the engagement between people during the sessions. This audience wasn’t passively listening; the room lit up with conversation, reflection, and a real-time switch in perspective. The kind of learning that sticks, not just because it’s heard, but because it’s felt.

By the end of the morning, one thing was clear: these young women weren't just leaving with leadership skills, they were leaving with a mandate to make what they'd learned a reality.

Their journey reminds us that, ultimately, leadership is not just about decision-making, strategy or power. It's about relating. It's about self-awareness. And it's about being brave enough to ask the difficult questions, even when the answers aren’t easy.