Aneshree and Nadia share their mentorship journey, highlighting valuable lessons and successes in leadership development and career growth.
In this Q&A, mentor Aneshree Naidoo, CFO and interim co‑chief operating officer at Webber Wentzel, and mentee Nadia Loots share their transformative mentorship experience, revealing the key lessons and successes that have shaped Aneshree’s leadership style and career trajectory.
Their journey focuses on confidence, clarity, and authenticity. Aneshree has guided Nadia in developing her unique leadership approach, empowering her to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable growth. Through their concise and precise responses, we gain insights into the importance of mentorship and the impact it can have on personal and professional development.
Aneshree, what have been the most important things you have tried to impart to Nadia, and why?
I have tried to impart some of the valuable learnings I have experienced over time – focus on the ability to lead your team with confidence, clarity and with quality outcomes as a non-negotiable. I encourage this, wrapped in individual leadership style, so that authenticity and sustainability in business partnering are felt.
Nadia, what valuable lessons have you learnt from Aneshree, and how have they been useful in your development and career?
My mentor is passionate, and a visionary. When the stakes are high and there are copious amounts of work and items that need to be addressed, her leadership, clarity and support are a beacon of light at the end of the tunnel. “Make it count,” is something she often says. The ability to remove the noise and look at the facts is important to me when faced with roadblocks. With Aneshree’s support and faith in my abilities to perform my role, I have grown in leaps and bounds.
Nadia, can you share a success story from your mentoring experience that you’re particularly proud of?
I have been with our firm for several years and have always ensured that standards and values set out by our firm are part of my work ethic. My mentor was the one who acknowledged and recognised my accomplishments and my growth and I have progressed both my and my team’s career ambitions as a result, and I am very proud of that.
Aneshree, what have you learned from Nadia in the process? And how has it helped you as a leader?
Patience and resilience. Nadia is one of the most patient and resilient leaders I know. No problem is too big. She has a “can-do” attitude and never gives up on solutioning complex problems. Her resilience and drive for outcomes is fuelled by an enquiring mind and she keeps me learning new things – finance, systems, people, life… through each interaction.
Nadia, what have you learned from Aneshree? And how has it helped you develop?
Innovation and growth are key to any organisation. Just because something works or worked, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it better and smarter. “Out of the box” thinking is healthy and aids innovation – a wish list can become a reality. By developing and growing, I pass the same growth capacity onto my teams too.
Aneshree, what do you think the current generation of business leaders could learn from those who are coming up?
Sustainability and truly “making it count” is something we should all be striving for. To me, that means dedication and focus on one’s learning and quality of work now, nurturing relationships and especially team leadership, and considering, with empathy, the sustainability impact of strategic decisions.
Nadia, what do you think the current generation of business leaders could learn from mentees like yourself?
My mentor is younger than I am. I have served under various leaders with different approaches and thinking. To share experiences is useful for the current generation of leaders. In saying this, I have found my mentor to be one of the most open-minded leaders I have had the privilege to work with; apart from her many attributes, listening is one that I find refreshing.
