Kyocera Newsletter
Message of the week 21 - 25 July 2025
The African leadership principle that could save your team (and your sanity)
As I read an article recently titled “The African leadership principle that could save your team (and your sanity)”, I found myself reflecting on the kind of leadership that truly endures, especially in our uniquely South African context. The article unpacks “ubuntu”, a powerful African principle that means “I am because we are.” It’s a reminder that people and progress are deeply connected, and that meaningful results are built through shared effort, not solo success.
At Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa, this thinking isn’t new. In fact, it aligns closely with one of the most powerful parts of the Kyocera Philosophy: “Management by all.” This principle encourages every team member to think and act like an owner, reinforcing the idea that leadership is not limited to titles, it is embedded in how we collaborate, how we show up for one another, and how we create value for our customers and partners.
Right now, businesses across the country are facing uncertainty— from logistics and infrastructure instability to budget constraints, global inflation and digital disruption. The vast array of challenges don’t belong to one team or one partner, they affect all of us. And the way we overcome them is through connection, openness, and mutual support. That’s ubuntu in action.
We are applying this mindset at KDZA every day. Whether it’s co-developing document solutions with our partners, taking time to listen to feedback from the field, or involving more voices in strategic decisions, we’re building a culture that invites participation.
We don’t believe in top-down leadership. We believe in collective momentum. When each of us takes responsibility for the whole, we deliver more than outcomes, we deliver trust, loyalty, and long-term impact.
As we navigate the months ahead, I encourage you to keep showing up with trust, inclusion, and shared purpose—because, as the Senegalese proverb reminds us, “Cross the river in a crowd and the crocodile won’t eat you.”