Executive Spotlight Spotlight on Mrs. Hilda Basson-Namudjembo

InterviewbyMs SilpaKanghono(Coordinator:DigitalMarketingandEvents-RDJPublishing)

Welcome to the Executive Spotlight Series, where we delveintothemindsofindustryleadersshapingthe future Today,wehavetheprivilegeof featuring

Mrs HildaBasson-Namudjembo,avisionaryatthehelmof Oxygen Communications With a career marked by innovation and a commitment to excellence, Mrs Basson-Namudjembo has been instrumental in driving transformative strategies within the communicationslandscape

1. Describeyourexecutiverole:

I have been in private business for almost 20 years now I joined Ogilvy & Mather as MD in the early 2000’s, did a short stint at PwC but was eager to start my own business After resigning from PwC, which was declined a few times, I launched Oxygen Communications in 2006 with PwC, as my first client

I lead an organisation which focuses on bringing mutual understanding among target audiences whether these audiences exist in large or small organisations To achieve mutual understanding which must deliver business results, I deploy a small group of people who I work alongside daily to deliver honest, ethical solutions to business to ensure those businesses are reputable and progressive. Our business is linear, to reduce unnecessary noise and disruption thus we are very intentional in the manner we approach client engagement. We believe partnerships work best when values are complimentary.

2. Wheredoesitderiveitsmandate?

Our mandate is derived in part from my worldview I believe that every person has a specific purpose for which they were born and as such I seek to honour that in the work that I do I am also passionately Namibian, so I am very focused on serving this country well That means I must make investments in people, in assets in a manner that makes me redundant If business dies with you, or is centralised around your existence, personality (ego) or your directives, then you are an inefficient leader

3.Vision,MissionandValues

Our mission, vision and values are purpose based As Oxygen Communications we constantly review our operational reality against our “Why”? Do the hours we spend working mirror our internal compass? I was taught at PwC to complete a timesheet to account for every hour of work That discipline has remained and so as a team, we check in frequently to account for hours spent Are those hours spend in line with our vision? What goals are we setting to ensure we achieve those outcomes? So, it’s not a once-a-year indaba for us – we align on a weekly basis. It is also noteworthy that I consider all my business interactions as generational. I make investments which will outlast my life, and those investments are not exclusively financial. My legacy must endure beyond my life on earth.

4.WhataresomeofthekeyattributesIbringasa mentortoleadthisorganisation?

I am an empowering leader So, people should be trusted with responsibility as we train them continuously Consistent development and exposure of your team deliver high performance teams. Discipline individually and collectively, is a core value we espouse Just because we are supposedly a creative business doesn’t mean we walk in when we feel like and show up anyhow

5. Whatkeepsyouawakeatnightaboutmy sector?

I sleep badly but there is not much to gain from lying awake at night So, I use my day hours to help resolve issues on a sectoral or national scale. The absence of quality leadership is something I am often concerned about. I worry about entitlement; I worry about the lack of vision in some sectors, and I struggle to understand why we don’t think with intention about challenges We like putting on a plaster on festering wounds, instead of cleaning the wound notwithstanding the discomfort and pain it may bring I worry about quick answers and the fact that leaders show so little care when dealing with people. But I work to make a positive and sustainable difference by speaking up in rooms where ordinary voices are not sought out, because I believe part of my purpose is to speak for those who can’t

6. Proudestmomentleadingtheorganisation

We are rather organic in our approach in regard to what makes us proud It makes us proud to complete an assignment We celebrate each of these, both large and small. And we make a point of being grateful. For what we get to do, for the privilege of being trusted by clients and for being able to work in this great country