General counsel | University of Johannesburg
Dries Pretorius
General counsel | University of Johannesburg
How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crises, and how does your legal strategy align with the broader business strategy to ensure the organisation’s resilience?
First, it’s essential to have a robust risk management framework in place. This involves identifying potential legal risks and developing mitigation strategies to address them.
During periods of instability or crises, clear and effective communication is crucial. Keeping all stakeholders informed about the legal implications of the situation and the steps being taken to address them helps to build trust and maintain confidence. This includes communicating with employees, clients, regulators, and others.
Incorporating legal considerations into the broader business strategy is also essential. This means aligning legal strategies with the organisation’s overall goals and objectives. For example, if the organisation is focused on digital transformation, the legal team should ensure that all digital initiatives comply with data protection laws and other relevant regulations.
Finally, fostering a culture of resilience within the legal team is important. This involves providing training and development opportunities to enhance the team’s skills and knowledge and encouraging a proactive approach to problem-solving.
How do you manage and motivate your legal team to ensure high performance and professional growth?
Managing and motivating my legal team to ensure high performance and professional growth has involved a combination of strategies that focus on leadership, communication, development, and recognition.
I constantly strive to lead by example by demonstrating a strong work ethic, integrity, and commitment to the team’s goals so that the team can be inspired to follow suit. I try and maintain clear and open communication and regularly update the team on goals and expectations.
Providing opportunities for professional development is another key strategy that I employ, including making training programs, workshops, and access to resources that help the team members enhance their skills and knowledge. Encouraging continuous learning and supporting career advancement has significantly boosted motivation and performance.
Recognising and rewarding achievements is important for maintaining high morale. This can be done through formal recognition programs, such as employee of the month awards, or informal acknowledgments, like a simple thank-you or public praise during team meetings. Celebrating successes, both big and small, helps to create a positive and motivating work environment.
Creating a supportive and inclusive work culture is also vital. Encouraging collaboration, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting diversity and inclusion can lead to a more engaged and motivated team. Providing mentorship and coaching can further support team members’ professional growth and help them navigate their career paths.