What started as a programme to support and equip Gondwana’s Windhoek-based team leaders with leadership skills and empathetic communication tools evolved into a powerful platform for connection and growth.
Over a period of six months, participants stepped away from their daily responsibilities to spend one full day per month in a safe and supportive space. Here, they were able to share personal fears, leadership challenges, and, most importantly – get to know their colleagues on a deeper level, all while having fun.
The programme was first launched in 2023 as an alternative for Gondwana’s Windhoek-based team leaders, who did not have the capacity to attend other Gondwana Academy programmes, which are significantly more time-intensive.
Since its inception, 12 Gondwana team leaders have participated in the Meet & Lead Programme each year, with the content being regularly reviewed and adapted to meet the evolving needs of the organisation’s development.
The programme was facilitated by Gondwana’s team trainer and leadership coach, Ume Goldbeck, who guided the 2025 Meet & Lead cohort through topics ranging from self-leadership and self-awareness to understanding team roles and dynamics, concluding with non-violent communication and the integration of these skills into a mindful leadership approach.
The programme concluded on 13 January, with a certificate ceremony. “The value of the certificate the Meet & Lead participants received goes far beyond the paper itself. It is testament to the courage to show up, to allow oneself to be mentally pushed out of one’s comfort zone, to be vulnerable, and – most importantly, to be willing to learn,” says Ume Goldbeck.
At Gondwana, leadership is seen as a conscious choice to serve the people around us. With that choice comes a lifelong learning journey. “Our Gondwana colleagues bring a wealth of experience, and a programme like this creates a space for them to share their insights and find new solutions together. By the end of the programme, we realised that we had laid the foundation for successful leadership, rooted not in titles or hierarchy, but in real relationships.”
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