IOP LENS

S1E12: The Future of Work with SIOPSA ft. Sylvia Baloyi, Dr Refiloe Ramodibe and Dr Buhle Makhanya

• SIOPSA • Season 1 • Episode 12

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Season Finale - The Future of Work with SIOPSA | The IOP Lens

Every great conversation leads to an even greater vision for the future.

In the final episode of The IOP Lens, our host Dr Sane Ngidi sits down with the President-Elect Nominees, Sylvia Baloyi,  Dr Refiloe Ramodibe and Dr Buhle Makhanya for an insightful conversation about leadership, purpose, and the future of the Industrial and Organisational Psychology profession.

From their vision for advancing the profession to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, this special episode offers an exclusive look into the ideas, values, and aspirations of those who could shape the next chapter of our profession.

Join us as we reflect on a season of meaningful conversations and conclude with a discussion that looks firmly toward the future, exploring how collaborative leadership, innovation, and a commitment to people will continue to drive the profession forward.

Don't miss this inspiring season finale as we meet the leaders ready to help shape tomorrow.

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#IOPLens #IOP #CareerGrowth #FutureOfWork #SIOPSA

SPEAKER_03

Welcome to the final episode of the IOP lens, where we explore the human side of industrial and organizational psychology. I'm Dr. Saneangidi, your Psyopsa president. This space is where we explore real people, real journeys, and the moments that help shape us as a profession. I can't believe we've reached the end of season one. We've had great discussions around AI, technology, positive psychology. We've explored the stories behind Psyopsa as a body, and we've really delved into how we as IOPs can really influence the future, the future world of work and the future of industrial and organizational psychology. Today, this final episode, we pivot a little bit and we start to think about the future of our profession. Today we will be focusing on getting to meet the candidates who are in the race for president-elect. Yes, the future leadership of our society. Leadership matters. These are the voices that'll shape the future of our profession and really guide us as a society. And so I hope you're as excited as I am. We have candidates for this amazing episode, and we will get an opportunity to get to know each of them one-on-one. I'm going to kick us off this morning with a dialogue with Sylvia. Sylvia, welcome to the IOP Lens. Hi, Dr. Sunny. Nice to be here. Ah, I can't believe we're here. I'm feeling a little bit nostalgic, but I'm also really excited about our conversation. Me too. Me too. For the viewers, we'd like to get to know you. So tell us a little bit about yourself, Sylvia.

SPEAKER_00

I'm an industrial psychologist, transition coach, and I'm also an academic. Adjunct academic. No, that sounds fancy. What is that, Sylvia? Tell people what's an adjunct academic. So an adjunct academic is an academic who's there to support the students. You know, the future generation is there. Yes. When we look at the student body. So they need to be supported, they need to be guided, and you know, to make sure that they do well in their studies. And we do a lot of research as well because everything must be research-driven. Yeah. Yeah. Where did you study, Sylvia, and how did you become an IOP? I studied at Medusa, the medical university. I've got a master's degree, and then I did my internship in industrial and organizational psychology.

SPEAKER_03

And how did you choose the IOP career?

SPEAKER_00

You know, the careers, you know, there's never a straight line. Choosing the careers. When I think back, I actually wanted to, at the time, I wanted to be in a helping profession. So I thought, okay, I'll be a doctor. And everybody was excited. Okay, you'll be a doctor. That didn't work out because you know they want A in all the subjects, so I didn't get those A's. And the second option was to do uh social work. Yes. And the social work, there were a lot of interviews that people have to go through, and I'm like, okay, fine. I'll do psychology. And you know, it I it's something that happened by chance, but because I've always wanted to be in a profession when I'm helping people, this is an ideal. Because I can help people in personal and in the workplace as well.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00

Yes.

SPEAKER_03

That resonates with me. Um, when I was younger, um, I thought that I'd be a pediatrician and because I wanted to work with kids, but also in that help. And then I realized the whole medical root thing, and I was like, redirect. Yes. Yes, yeah. Um, putting up your hand to be president-elect is quite a thing. Um, tell us a little bit about the why you put your hand up and what impact you want to have on the society.

SPEAKER_00

You know, Psyopsa has been my home. I've been a member of Psyopsa for years, and then I've also been in the executive roles, and I've seen, you know, what this society can do. So for me, it's a natural thing, you know, to do it. And the impact that I want to make, I'm looking at the next generation of leaders. Because there's a lot of people that we have, you know. So I'm looking at it like we call it legacy builder. So that's what I want to leave behind, is a legacy builder shaping it. So I'm thinking we let's come up with a blueprint. Let's do a blueprint of how you become a legacy builder. And that we're going to have the current holders of the legacy. These are your psychologists that have accomplished, you know, like yourself, ourselves, you know, but there's a new generation that is still coming that we need to hand hold. So we need to bridge that gap. So for me, that's the key. Because we've got a wealth of information out there from the leaders, people who have been in that, but this new upcoming, you know, they say you must leave the world a better place. So what are we doing as IOP? So for me, that legacy builder is what I want to leave behind.

SPEAKER_03

I love that idea of legacy, especially also because the SaoPsa presidency isn't just the ones-off, right? There's the year of president-elect, the year of president, and then there's a year of past president. So you have three years to really make your mark as a leader. Um, being a member-based organization, what can members expect from you as a leader?

SPEAKER_00

So the key thing is engagement and also identify the opportunities. Because there's a lot of opportunities for members. I remember when we were doing when when I was still in the professional practice, the issue of counseling. It was something that we didn't do, you know, as IOPs, but it came up, you know, as one of those things that can be done. So for me, the key thing, I want each and every one of the members to see themselves. Either they are the legacy builders or they are the legacy shapers. So that's what I want their roles to be. And then look at the opportunities we are serving in societies. What are we doing with our IOP? Like now, there's this xenophobia thing. Where are our voices as IOPs? You know, when there's issues, I think Psyopsa has stepped in in a lot of things. I mean, during the COVID, Cyopsa was there in the forefront. So those are the kind of things that we need to and then put these leaders, the emerging leaders, also in the forefront to say, let's do it. Because we are there to support. We have been fortunate to have leaders who are supporting us, and so we want to do the same.

SPEAKER_03

Um, one of the key focus areas for our 2030 strategy is around how we as IOPs um have influence and impact and have a voice when it comes to things such as policy, advocacy, um, uh thinking around like how the SDGs and how we implement those and what they look like. So I like what you see what you're speaking about there around like what's our greater real voice and impact as a society? We all have an experience of Psyopsa, and there is not one person I have met who hasn't identified something that they could fix from their experience. So if there was one thing that you could change about Psyopsa, what would it be and why?

SPEAKER_00

We need to do multidisciplinary projects because I like the idea that we've got all these, you know, different bodies, different areas, the focus areas. But think about it. If we can all rally towards this legacy builder initiative, and all of us, forget whether you are, you know, you're doing a professional practice or you're doing pie, just come in and all of us will bring our thoughts to it. Because this is for the next generation of leaders. We don't want them to look back and then they're like, but you know, they didn't pave the way for us, they didn't prepare us for this. You know, there's so many challenges that we are facing now. We need to bring them up. Now there's a lot of uh unemployment rate amongst the youth. What are we doing about that? You know, we can talk about it, but the real thing is we must bring them on board. If all the members, I mean Sayopsa has a good member base, if all the members, all of us can say we adopt a young person, we get them, we you know, we prepare them, they get into a job and position them so that they can succeed in the workplace. In the IOP, that's how we go, we're going to impact. Because then we can start going to places like you know the HPCSA and say, how then do we, you know, have policies that will govern all of those things to ensure that our people they're not struggling to firstly get a job and also to sustain it. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

If I had to say to you, Sylvia, what are two to three things that would be a focus for you and your presidency? What would they be?

SPEAKER_00

Firstly, uh, we need to look at the leadership from a different perspective. What we have seen, my view is that there is something bigger that we can do. And that thing I want, you know, all the people, you know, be it the older people or the younger people, I want them to start having those dreams again, you know, of a better future, a you know, a dream of impacting society, of impacting where they are. You don't have to have a position to impact. There's a lot of people that I know have made an impact. They're not, they are not even in a managerial position. So for me, that's the first thing, the visionary part of it. And then the second thing, the human AI interface. I mean, it's here, we can't run away from it. So we might as well start using it effectively as well. Because now, uh, you know, in our profession, we do coaching, we do counseling. The clients they come, they've already checked with Chad GPT. What Chad is saying. So they come to us just to confirm. You know, so we need to be in the forefront and use it effectively for our benefit so that we can do well as a society. And the last one is about the you know, the ethical behaviors. Our what we do, everything that we do, it's centered around ethics. So you need to look at yourself, you know. Everything that you're doing, are you ethical? Can you live with yourself? Are you servicing the people that you're supposed to service? So those for me are the critical things that we can focus on, making sure that you know we keep adapting to all the changes. There's so many things that are happening, but we need to be able to have our voice. Our voice must be strong and must be where it's needed. Thank you for that clarity.

SPEAKER_03

I guess the big question, um, Sylvia why should members vote for you? Um, why should they put their trust in you?

SPEAKER_00

I am shaping the legacy builder. And the members have an opportunity to be part of this movement where they will shape the future of it. So if they want to be part of it, they join the movement. And myself, as the president elect, I'll be in the forefront sharing with them based on my wealth of experience and things that I've done to give back to the community. I thank you.

SPEAKER_03

Thank you, Sylvia. Um, as part of Psyopsa, we are all here as volunteers, giving of our time. I love the passion that you've shared with us, and um, all the best as you help us build the legacy of Psyopsa. Thank you for joining us today. It's a pleasure. Thank you. That was our first candidate, Sylvia, that really helped us get a view of her beyond the CV, lifting the person off the page. Next up is a repeat onto the IOP lens. Um, Dr. Rifilwe Ramudive, welcome to the IOP lens again. Thanks, Sene. Hi. Hi, everyone. I'm gonna ask you to tell us a little bit about yourself as a starter.

SPEAKER_02

Uh yeah, I'm Dr. Rifilwe Ramudive, and I'm currently the transformation chair for Psy Office. And uh my 9 to 5 role, I work at RB as a talent and performance segment lead. Why did I get the song in my head?

SPEAKER_03

925 when you said that. Um tell us a bit about where did you study Rafilwe and what led you to becoming an IOP?

SPEAKER_02

Uh so I studied at Vids, and ironically, I actually started with a Bachelor of Science degree. And the intention was for me to actually end up being a medical doctor, but I hated my lab um sessions every Monday in first year, so I decided let me rather do something that I actually enjoy. Um, initially, I intended to actually study clinical psychology because I was a big follower of Dr. Phil when I was still in high school. So I was like, I'm gonna be the refiller version or the South African version of Dr. Phil. And when I was in second year, there was actually a professor at Vids who um taught us ergonomics, and that's where my love for industrial and organizational psychology actually began. And then I pivoted from the clinical psychology courses and I started and I've never looked back.

SPEAKER_03

You actually made it to the medical side, unlike some of us who dreamt about it. And whilst you were wanting to be Dr. Phil, I wanted to be Oprah. Right? Yeah, yeah. Um, putting up your hand for president is quite a thing. What made you do it?

SPEAKER_02

So, yeah, it's uh I've been serving on the um Psyopsa board for the past three and a half years or so. And I think for me, as part of, you know, individuals that actually crafted the 2030 strategy, um, it actually, you know, I relate quite um well and closely to it. It's very close to my heart. So I'm very passionate about the profession and I'm very passionate about where we actually headed from a strategic point of view. And I actually want to be part of people that um deliver that strategy. So I think for me it's just um, you know, I want to see the this through. And what more um can I actually then deliver it if I'm not in the um, you know, the president-elect position in the next three years? I love that.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. I think also part of your portfolio specifically right now um within Psyopsa is a real focus on transformation. And a part of transformation is how do we show up for opportunities when opportunities arrive? Definitely, definitely.

SPEAKER_02

I think um I'm very also passionate, particularly when you look at the strategy, the the way that we show up in, firstly, in organizations, um, do we still carry the credibility as I.O. Because when you have conversations with the HR fraternity, there's still a little bit of a fuzziness in terms of what is IO versus HR? So what what what what voices are we actually carrying through within the organizations that we find ourselves operate in, number one. Um and secondly, um, you know, part of the work that I have been doing as a transformation chair is ensuring that we actually have a voice in society. So are we actually going out there? Do people know what we are all about from a Psyopsa perspective? So through, you know, media coverage, um, you know, that we have actually done in the last couple of years, specifically in my tenure as transformation chair, it's a very important thing for us to actually then, you know, um show up differently. You know, do we make an impact in society over and above just being members of of um Psyopsa? So yeah. Awesome.

SPEAKER_03

The presidency is a three-year tenure. What impact do you want to make over those three years?

SPEAKER_02

Um, I think, you know, what I've just mentioned now, um, relevance. Are we still relevant, you know, as IOPS? Um, it's very important. Are we relevant as a society to our members, firstly? Are we relevant as um IOPS in in organizations? And are we also relevant in society? What contributions are we actually making? So for me, relevance is very important because we can't mark our own homework. So I think, you know, um what I've seen is that we we actually create things that work for us, but are we actually creating, you know, strategies that work for all our stakeholders holistically? Then, secondly, is building the pipeline. Um, one of the focus areas that I've also been involved in around um from a transformation perspective is ensuring that we build a pipeline in our society. So from the early careers of IOPS to the professional. So, how are we actually building this capability going forward to align with the world of work and where the world of work is actually moving towards? Because that's where that's where the impact will be, right? Um, it's not just about same old, same old IO. We need to actually look at what is happening in the world of work right now and how are we actually then aligning with that space. And thirdly, obviously, I think I'm gonna sound like a um, you know, uh record, uh broken record now, transformation. I think for me, it's a passion that I have around ensuring that there is um a level of inclusion within Psyopsa. So it's not Psyopsa that is built just for one particular group, but for a variety of groups, you know, for a diverse group of individuals. So I think for me, one of the things that I would like to see is we need to translate what transformation looks like um going forward within Psyopsa. Um it's a journey, it's been a journey, it's gotten us to where we are, but there needs to be a different focus going forward in terms of ensuring that everybody is included. Um and Psyopsa serves all its members, whether it's, you know, uh people that have been serving for over 30 years within the IOPS space to the young individuals that are coming up with different ways of doing things. That's a how does inclusion actually look like for everybody? And I think for me that's quite an important thing, and it'll help me transition what my strategy was around transformation into the space for for president-elect.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. So I'm hearing a little bit around what's worked for us in the past and how we built and transformed as an organization, but also how do we pivot and what do we build for what the future looks like.

SPEAKER_02

Absolutely, absolutely. And I think it's about being open-minded to what transformation is and how we define it going forward for us, you know. Um, and I'm I'm very passionate about that. And I'm I'm glad that it's actually aligned with where the strategy is taking us from a 2030 perspective.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Um, each president puts their own stamp on their year, right? Because leadership takes many forms. Yes. What can members expect from you as a leader?

SPEAKER_02

Um, I think it's we already have a strategy in place. How are we actually going to make sure that we execute on the strategy? We've already started the leaders that are currently, including yourselves. You've already started in terms of implementation. So I think for me, it's about follow-through because it's good and well to have things on paper, strategy on paper, and it looks pretty. However, how are we actually going to make sure that we follow through on that? And I think that's one of the um the qualities that I bring in terms of translating the strategy that we have into um, you know, practical activities that we need to achieve as a um as an organization. Um, I think for me also, you know, a passion of mine is creating space for others. I love this podcast. I mean, when we started speaking around putting something like this together, I think for me it creates space. And I see us actually implementing even other ways of creating space for individuals. And I've got quite a um a couple of ideas in terms of how we can actually um see that through. So creating space for everybody, every member. And lastly, is leading with integrity. I think one of the values, core values that I live with as Refilo, beyond just the uh being an IOP, is um integrity. So everything that I do, um, you know, it's it's it's integrity is quite an important thing. It's about ensuring that there is transparency in everything that we do from a leadership perspective. Um, it's ensuring that we we are fair, we make sound decisions that um, you know, as they impact on on every single member within our society. So those are the three things that I would definitely bring into this space.

SPEAKER_03

Awesome. Yeah, sure. The the how of leadership is such a critical part um of this role. Um a little bit of the spicy question. Having been in the society, for how many years have you been a member of PsyOpsa?

SPEAKER_02

Oh my goodness, since 2000 and I think 2009. No, I'm actually lying. As a student, that's what I'm saying. We won't count how far back we're going. 18 years. Oh, okay. It's about 18 years, actually, because I actually registered as a student. Um, and we were encouraged to actually start participating in Psyopsa then, and I've I've been registered. I've never skipped a registration. I have, but we're not going to talk about that.

SPEAKER_03

PhD is. Yeah. Um having been a member of Psyopsa for so long, there are obviously some things that work and don't work. If there was one thing you could change about Psyopsa, what would it be?

SPEAKER_02

I think for me it's making sure that we strengthen the connection between what we put in place from a strategy perspective with what the members expect. So we don't build for ourselves as a leadership team, right? But is there a connection between what what members are expecting of us and what we because I've I've seen it. I mean, I I you know I co-ran the workshops with Anne um last year when we went through, you know, we went to two different regions. And some of the feedback that we actually received was that we're not serving um the members what they're looking for. And it's about ensuring that what we actually put on paper and you know it connects to what people are expecting because then we we're not share for ourselves, right, as leaders. We're not share just to uh tick the box, but we need to make sure that all the members within Psyopsa are actually getting the value um that they that they they paying the membership for, number one, and also that they you know being part of of Psyopsa, it has to create value. For you as an IOP. So yeah. So that's that.

SPEAKER_03

Awesome. Cool. For members who are voting, what are the two or three things that will be your focus for the presidency? Yeah, I spoke to some of them earlier.

SPEAKER_02

I think for me, relevance is very important. And visibility because we already have such good work, great work, but a lot of the time our work is actually not visible. So people don't know what we do, what we get to do. So it's about creating that visibility. And with that visibility, it will actually attract more members or more individuals in the IO space to come into Psyopsa. So those are the two things. I think relevance across the board as a practice, psychology, uh IO as a practice, and relevance for from a um a membership perspective as well.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. And then the final question: the why. Why you? Why should members put their trust and vote you in as president-elect?

SPEAKER_02

Um, so I I'm very good at actually taking strategy and putting it into practice. And I think for me that is what is required here. Um, as I said earlier, we do have a good strategy in place, but you know, it's about how do we actually implement that strategy. And I'm very, I'm a very practical person. I know how to translate, you know, big concepts and to ensure that we um we deliver. I'm very hardworking. I think, you know, some of the I've as much as I've been a transformation chair, um, there are roles that I've been involved in within the Psyopsa space where where there were gaps. And I'm definitely committed to this profession. I'm committed to Psyopsa. And I think for me, you know, that's the one of the things or the important things that I will bring. It's commitment and ensuring that we do actually deliver value to the members and other stakeholders at large.

SPEAKER_03

Thank you, Rafelo. I think my takeaway is um each president steps into the role and builds off of the efforts, hard work of prior presidents, right? We're all we're all adding a brick onto the story. Um and as you've said, our North Star or our guide is our strategy. And in this case, it's our 2030 strategy. So my takeaway is that your view of leadership is stepping in, building onto that story and helping us achieve what our 2030 objectives are.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, absolutely. Um, so I'm not here to break the strategy. I know I can be a maverick, but I, you know, it's it's just ensuring that there has been alignment in terms of where we headed. Um, and it's about seeing it through. So I want to be part of when we get to 2030, and I'm, you know, I can look back and say I was part of ensuring that we delivered on that strategy that we we created.

SPEAKER_03

Awesome. Thank you. I think I'm very clear about what your value proposition is and wishing you all the best on this process. Thank you. Thank you, Rufila. Thank you. That was David who reminded us about the power of collaboration and member value. Our final candidate for president-elect hails from KZN, and she is joining us now. Dr. Bukle Makanya, welcome to the IOP lens. Good day, good day, Dr. Sane. Thanks for having me. Awesome. Bukle, to get us started, please tell us a little bit about yourself. Um, a little bit about how you've become an IOP, where you've studied, and how you've become a member of Psyopsa.

SPEAKER_01

I I think my journey is totally different because when I did my undergrad in IOP, I still had to go back and into the workplace and work for so many years. I worked as an HR practitioner. I said uh because the role that I was doing, it did require an IOP lens. I said to myself, let me go back and do my owners, which eventually I did. And then after that, I continued to work in human capital at the managerial roles, and again that thing of saying I uh this profession does need an IOP lens in some areas, and I had to go back and do my master's part-time uh at Tunisa. I graduated and then uh write board exams, do the research, and became an IOP. And then for for me, that because I was working at the same time and then became an IOP, I said for me I'm in late in this career in terms of IOP, and then how do I add value into this profession and make sure that the all the relevant knowledge that I acquired theoretically and academically? I practice it, and then not only that, but to connect with other experienced IOPs in the field and gain a knowledge. So that way I started to do my research, and then I heard about C YOPSA as a professional organization for IOPs. I said, why not let me join them? Which uh really really helped my career so far where I am uh uh at a at a at a managerial level, it helped me a lot. Uh, we started I started volunteering so many areas at that time. I I was not even aware what was my need, and then there was a workplace uh wellness committee, and then they said they wanted people to be committee members there and volunteer uh because all my roles in the previous employers have been working at in a wellness space. I said this is the era that I want to be in, and then I volunteered in that committee. Little did I know that that committee would turn out to be an interest, formally recognized interest group, and then it was later called the mental health interest group for COPSA, and then I was elected as a chair. So that's how I came in to COPSA, but apart from that, and then I realized that helping people and organizations realizing that uh we industry psychologist role is very important and it's very unique, and then I learned so much being a chairperson, having webinars, uh talks in relation to the well-being, and I later discovered that young people themselves they don't know much about IOP through the uh engagement with academia and so on, and then I raised my hand again and and become a mentee in one of the interest groups, COP, the GCPP, and then I joined that as well. So my passion for COPS and the profession itself, it shows in voluntarily in so many areas in the organization. So as a result, I said my time is coming to an end as a chair, but I still want to contribute to COPSA as a result. I'm standing in for president-elect, and not because of the title, because I believe in the future of our profession, especially with what is happening post-COVID, post-floods, and and post-looting in case that and so many things that are happening. You can see the word of work with AI and technology is changing every minute. So I want to make an impact there, and we have a critical role to play as IUP professionals.

SPEAKER_03

Thanks for that, Bushle. I mean, you've played a critical role as leader um in the interest group for mental health. Um, and that's such a it's an important space as we think about mental health in the world of work, but also it's been a space where we've um created support and held space for our members as well. Musle, tell me a little bit about where did you study um and how did you end up picking Iopsychology?

SPEAKER_01

I studied at UK's and back then it was 1998, I believe. 1998 I measured with IOP. At that time, there was little Kerak itens. I think I was good at it naturally because whenever we wrote test and exam, I was tops, and then after that, I went to UNISA for my honors, a part-time as I mentioned earlier, and then my master's at at UNISA again, and then I studied at UKZN, which I graduated last month as a PhD psychology graduate at UKZN. So that's a my life has been between UNISA as well as uh UKZN Academic Career.

SPEAKER_03

That's the little piece I was missing. That's final, final congratulations on getting your PhD. Um, and then yes, hearing how you've, through your experience as an HR professional, really identified how having the IOP capability is important in your career and then going to study further. Okay, great. But the the presidency is a three-year term, really. It is the year of president-elect, the year of president, and then finally as past president. When you think about your presidency in that three-year term, what impact would you like to make on the society?

SPEAKER_01

Uh I think for me, first of all, as president-elect, if I'm being elected, is visibility and connection and being influential in so many areas. If I can start unpacking the visibility part for me, because most of our members as well, they're regionally based at the same time. So for me, the presidential road shows will be the key. Uh year one, I would do that, and year two, and you had remember we we we were mindful of cost as well. Uh, but uh because I'll be voted by people and for the people, it will be my responsibility to go back regionally and have some preference session, whatever form it is. And and here the IOPs themselves, the challenges that they come across with them, because originally everything would be would differ and opportunities that they have, either it's an academic space or private practice or the ones that are working industry. So I will need to do that. That is first of all, and then another thing that I've realized this in terms of connection and visibility and being influential as an IOP. I've seen around a media, uh, whatever form of media, we have people that have taken our space. You hear those people talking about leadership, we talk about coaching, they're talking about mental health. Yet, if you get you see their background, they are not Iops themselves. So we are positioned uh right as IOPs to claim that space as well. For me, having memorandum of agreements or MOUs with media houses as well, because currently uh uh you are being invited because you are known by somewhere else or connected with some radio personalities. But as a CEO, we're a big organization having well-experienced IOPs themselves that can take up that space and have a calendar to say with all these unemployment rates, social easens, all there's a role that we can play in terms of making that information correct and making sure that we have a correct research and people that have public conversations, that how we are going to influence a society because we are trying to do that. We are trying to talk about the future of the world, we are trying to talk about issues that are happening in our society, and and for me, I can also extend and build on our social media and media platforms that we we currently have and have that standard calendar. I think for for me, I want the our members as well to experience the value of their uh money for the lack of better way, uh, if I can say that, and having uh that roadshow as well, it's it's it's good, but I I need to make sure that I need to listen to their experiences. I can have something like ask a president on a quarterly basis and invite questions or concerns or opportunities. Remember, I cannot lead by myself, but I can lead with leaders. Uh, because remember the IOPs, they are leaders in various areas themselves, uh, in their practices, in their organizations and academia. So I want to lead with them, I want to give them that opportunity and space. But having said that, Sunny, I cannot leave behind the imaging ones, the young ones, the intens. I've learned a lot through mentoring program with the universities. Our we need to give give back to our communities. We owe them so much. The questions that they ask during those mentorship sessions, you can see that the knowledge that they have when it comes to our profession and the impact that we can do as IOPs is very limited. So for me, that space as well, I can make it bigger. I know that currently CEO does that, but I can focus on them in terms of having CEOPSA emerging leaders, academy, so that we can take through them and take them through that program, even if it's a six week online program, but we can co-design with them as well. Uh, you know, we are very big in stay interviews and employee engagement in the workplace. Why can't we do it that for COPSA? Having annual surveys as well. And here, our IOPs, uh, uh depending on the levels, on the professional level, what is it that they want to see uh happening for me? Feasibility and connecting with them will be critical. But not only that, uh Sane, we know that uh one of our key roles is to make sure that we influence policy. And we need to make sure that we influence our society as well. So, with the research that we have, I know we have PhD students and Iops that are very experienced doing research as professors, as individuals. Why can't we have a single platform for all that research and develop practical toolkits that enhance organization uh to make decisions when comes to human capital uh space? I've seen with SAPPP, they have certain standards when it comes to human capital. We can play a big role in those standards. I was involved in in the auditing of those uh standards to Mars Back or so, so many elements that talk to IUP, but our voices are not there. Why can't we co-create those standards and review those standards with organizations like SAPPP and other relevant organizations to our space? So for me, uh visibility connections and influence, uh the the there's the space I can focus on in the in the next three years. For me, it's for the members to be seen, to be heard and fed, and as well as the society itself, uh, to make sure that we influence the shaping of our work in in South Africa.

SPEAKER_03

Awesome. If we look um at yourself, Butle, um, each leader has a different way in which they show up, in which they lead. How would you describe your leadership style and and what type of leadership would you be bringing to this role?

SPEAKER_01

I uh mine is very simple, Sanya. I think I've touched on in its uh earlier to say that I need to listen widely as a leader. That would be my key focus areas, like I've said, that we have different levels of IOPs within the society. We have experience uh ones, the ones that are coming in. We still have potentials that are still at universities that are studying IOP, that are interested. Those are the future leaders, so I can make sure that I have categories of listening campaigns at where we we have what we call uh Cialalela campaigns on a quarterly basis, even on a six-monthly basis, we can do that as part of town hall so that we can listen widely uh because we need to tell them make what we give them or the benefits according to their uh leadership role. But I again that will not be separating them, but that will bring everyone one in the place. And then communicating openly again, we need to do that. I know that we have ESCO meetings and any other meetings that are very strategic and so on. But uh for me, I can bid on that as well and make sure that the decision that I'm taking at ESCO, uh, not everything I know. Some of the things are confidential, but one or two points in social media, like who Allen is always assisting us and say these are the decisions on a quarterly basis that have taken that will impact you as a member, and it's how it's going to impact you in a summary uh form. And and obviously, uh Sane, as a leader, I need to correlate intentionally with others. I've done that in mental health. I think mental health we ended up having the wellness channel, having the uh the counselor's uh forum, the WhatsApp group, and we have more than 200 members in those groups, and they are intentionally engaging with us. So those platforms are what I will enhance uh uh them so that we we we we make sure that we collaborate with other stakeholders. Remember in psychology itself, there are so many feeds. I've seen the the psych SA, I've seen other organizations as well that talk to our profession as well and have MoUs with those organizations, but I don't want to see them in conferences only or in webinars only. They need to be part of our management meetings as well so that we can collaborate intentionally with them and deliver uh consistently as IOP. For me, sustainable leadership is not about one individual, it's not about myself, as I've mentioned. We need to build the capacity for the future. Uh the mentoring program needs to be uh strengthened as well in universities, uh, not only in universities, I see a space uh for us as well in high schools. Why can't we uh uh collaborate with organizations or schools, even where I come from as well? They were amazed that I'm a doctor in in psychology because they were saying to me, how is it that possible coming from this particular school? Because we need to go and influence the young ones as well. So as you are regional, we can have schools where either we identify where we come from or we can have another criteria to uh for CSI project and and go there and talk about Iop. What is Iop? How can we contribute to to the society as well? So those are the types of things that I can definitely do. Uh uh for me, Sanya I always say I'm not a person that believes in emails and believes in in talking back and forth. I believe in action. So the members can expect uh action from me, they can see the results, I can share with them the calendar, our strategic priorities, and then we'll culturally basis, give them a feedback, what we've achieved, and the outcome, and and so on. So for for me, Sunny, I want members to express our that is accessible. Like I've said, we can have what we say, call a ask the president so that they know that I'm accessible at any time. Obviously, we would be have guidelines in terms of making sure that that that particular platform is being done in a way that is responsible and confidentially.

SPEAKER_03

So I'm hearing a theme around listening, collaboration, member value, transparency. Um, in order for us to be effective and our best as a society, we have to identify ways of improving. Wish, what's one thing that you would change um to improve and strengthen Psyopso if you could?

SPEAKER_01

I I think for me it's just to strengthen our member connection as well as participation. Especially I've noticed this, uh especially on the regional uh part of it. So some of the things I I know I've connected with you as well in some of the things we are here in KZ and want to participate. I think others, even if they are Cape Town, wherever they want to contribute at a national level with COPSA as well. I want to create a debt member uh connection and participation uh experience so that even if you are in KZ and even if you're in Western Cape as an IOP uh a member that is in good standing, you feel that you are part of COPSA at any time. So for me, I would do what we call I've seen uh is it's APA or COP in in in they are doing what we call a member spotlight. A member spotlight. I've seen Iops in LinkedIn, in social media, either it's academia or private sector or or even government, they are doing a lot of things, they're writing good papers, academic papers, and so on. But we need to create a platform so that we can spotlight them and share those uh uh a success stories wherever they are, so that they can feel that they are being recognized even within the community itself, because we are a family and soyopsa, it's a professional family, so we need to even be recognized at home, not only the people that are outside it need to recognize us. So for me, the one of the things that I make sure that I can strengthen is the member connection as well as uh as participation as well. Obviously, Sane, we cannot run away from leveraging technology. I know we have started with that with social media podcasts and and and so on, and online communities, we have done that as well. So we need to strengthen and make sure that we we we we we do that more and more often, but not only show us the experienced ones, even the young ones as well at universities. Why can't we? Can't we have a student chapter uh even on social media? Because that's where they will connect. I I know when we do have these member um mentorship programs, they don't even know us. I always tell them this is my handly, this is this is the opsa, this is how they if don't even know, even if we can have ambassadors from universities and and make them uh participate and make them the leaders of those student chapters in Seopsa social media, obviously, with boundaries, with ethics, and all we all know that uh uh uh because they are they are future leaders, and and then again, Sunny. Uh, for me, stay interviews. Why not for our members? We have members that have been in Syobsa for more than 10 years or so. Why can't we ask them why you why are you staying? Why are you staying? Why have you stayed so far? And even a one year member can tell you something that why am I staying like myself? I think when I joined three, four, four, five years back, I thought maybe it was a one-off thing, but the reception and the collaboration and the recognition, I felt seen by COPSA, I felt heard by COPSA every time from the president to the colleagues. So that's why I have stayed so long. But we need to hear those voices from others as well, Sunny, and then we can improve from that. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03

Well, to close us off, um, as individuals are considering which candidate to vote for, why you? Why should they put their trust in you as uh president-elect? So if you can just give us a quick takeaway as to why you're the candidate.

SPEAKER_01

I I think they all know that is not always about me. I they have seen my role in the mental health interest group. It was about the vision of the profession, it was the vision of the well-being of the COPSA members as well as the community at its at large. So my vision is simple, see where it's an as I've said, I want CEOPSA where an individual will say, a member will say, I am seen, I am heard, and I'm being felt, whether you are geographically located where, but you see the the the value of being a member, and not only that, but influential in in the society. For for me, that's uh uh that's the key takeaway for me, and then they have their support for for me at any time, at any stage. My door will always be open uh for for the members to take this profession forward.

SPEAKER_03

Thank you so much, Bush. Thank you for putting your hand up, um, stepping up to the plate and willing to be the leader. Um, thank you for sharing with us your vision for leadership. I think it's clear we've heard your focus on listening, your focus on transparency, on collaboration, on member value, on voice, and wishing you all the best on this journey. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_01

Thank you. Thank you so much, Dr. Sanandi team.

SPEAKER_03

Thank you. Bye. And there you have it candidates who've stepped up to the plate, who've put up their hands and said they are willing to lead our community, our society for the betterment of the IOP profession as well as South Africa. I'm really excited about the passion that they bring, the value that they bring, and what it really means for our leadership pipeline and the sustainability of our organization. So, to everybody who's been listening, to our members, don't miss the opportunity to vote. The future doesn't just happen to us, we create it. You have an opportunity to select who you believe should lead the future of our society. It's a bit of sweet goodbye. Thank you for joining us for this inaugural season of the IOP lens. Thank you for engaging with us, and thank you for all our guests who shared their stories generously. I hope that as you've watched, you've seen yourself reflected in our guests, you've heard real stories shared, you've learned something, you've taken something away, and you felt that you have a sense of empowerment, of agency, of learning, of growth from this season. A reminder: Psyopsa is a community for our IOPs, for those who are passionate about what IO psychology means in the world of work. So continue to follow us. Like, share, subscribe, and look forward to the next season. Um, Dr. Saneengiti, president of Psyopsa, signing out for season one. Bye.