Malawi's Women Taking the Lead: Lessons in Leadership and Mentorship

I hope you are staying well in your part of the world.

This week I wanted to share a little bit of my education work with you.

The last few days I had the pleasure of facilitating a daylong workshop for the Australia Awards Alumni just before International Women’s Day, marking the exciting start of the Women in Leadership Network’s Malawi chapter.

It was a day rich with learning, sharing, and tackling topics vital for leadership and empowerment. We delved into personal branding, the importance of a strong online presence, and the essentials of effective social media use.

Our conversations also emphasized the power of community in overcoming challenges and promoting gender equality, with mentorship playing a key role. The day was made even more memorable thanks to H.E Ms. Minoli Perera, Australian High Commissioner to the Republic of Malawi, whose closing remarks perfectly encapsulated our shared aspirations for growth and equality.

Lessons in Leadership and Mentorship — *A few snaps from the March 5, 2024 event for Australia Awards Alumni. Lilongwe, Malawi*

A Leap Towards Leadership and Mentorship in Malawi

Lessons Learned on Being a Better Mentor: Our conversations also emphasized the power of community in overcoming challenges and promoting gender equality, with mentorship playing a key role.

A key takeaway was the art of guiding mentees to solve their problems through open-ended questions and constructive feedback, rather than offering direct solutions. This approach fosters empowerment and self-sufficiency, crucial pillars in the mentor-mentee relationship.

Lessons in Leadership and Mentorship -With Australia Awards Alumni and H.E Ms. Minoli Perera, Australian High Commissioner to the Republic of Malawi — *Group photo from the March 5, 2024 event for Australia Awards Alumni. Lilongwe, Malawi*

Strategies for Effective Leadership and Mentorship

Drawing from the workshop and my ongoing journey, I’ve identified several strategies that enhance the mentorship experience:

Active Listening: Truly listening to a mentee, without judgment or immediate advice, opens the door to deeper understanding and more meaningful guidance.
Using Open-Ended Questions: Encouraging mentees to explore their thoughts and solutions fosters independence and confidence. Questions like, “What do you feel is the best approach?” or “How do you envision overcoming this obstacle?” empower mentees to take ownership of their path.
Good vs. Bad Feedback: Constructive feedback is essential for growth. Highlighting strengths while gently addressing areas for improvement helps mentees recognize their potential and areas where they can develop further.

The following day, I also joined Lilongwe’s The Liberty Center in doing a group training for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Malawi. It was a great day digging more deeply into fine tuning office skills, communication skills, email and video best practices, and more.

Lessons in Leadership and Mentorship -training with The Liberty Center and the CDC Malawi — *Group photo from the March 6, 2024 training for CDC Malawi via The Liberty Center*

Meanwhile: at Ma Kalulu Studio…

Switching gears to the creative realm, Ma Kalulu Studio has been a hive of activity. I’ve been working on a series of smaller (9×9″) drawings that celebrate multicultural global unity, with the zodiac signs steering the theme. These drawings focus on a multicultural global unity theme and feature symbols and patterns from each inhabited continent.

And in recent news, my Pisces: Depths of Harmony mixed media drawing has been named a Finalist in the 2024 Teravarna International Art Competition, Water—my first fine art award of 2024.

And for those curious about the fiery energy of Aries, I’m currently crafting a drawing that promises to be a rich tapestry of patterns and symbols from every inhabited continent, echoing the spirit of this zodiac sign. Follow the journey on my Instagram page for a behind-the-scenes look.

A sneak-peek of my Aries drawing in progress…

Upcoming: New Mentorship Group for Artists

Before I sign off, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of a new mentorship group for artists starting in April. This group is your gateway to mastering the art of business—from efficient studio management and financial diversity to navigating the digital landscape with AI and tech tools. If you’re looking to elevate your art and find new avenues of income, this is the place for you.

Until next time, may your week be filled with inspiration and progress.

Warmly,

Kristen