Educating Executives

Introduction

A Nation of Peace & Vision

Nestled in the heart of Southern Africa, Botswana stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, its vast landscapes of the Okavango Delta’s shimmering waterways and the Kalahari Desert’s golden expanses mirroring the nation’s boundless ambition. Emerging from British colonial rule in 1966 as one of the world’s poorest nations, Botswana defied expectations, leveraging its diamond wealth and an unwavering commitment to democratic governance to ascend to middle-income status.

This remarkable journey is defined not only by economic progress but by a peaceful, inclusive society and visionary leadership that has earned global admiration. Since independence, Botswana’s government has pursued a bold vision of prosperity, equity, and public service excellence, rooted in the national principle of Botho. As one of the five national principles outlined in Vision 2036, Botho fosters a collective spirit, encouraging Batswana to prioritize the well-being of others and build a society where every individual thrives through interconnectedness and shared purpose.

Launched in 2016, Vision 2036 builds on the aspirations of Vision 2016, charting an ambitious path to transform Botswana into a high-income nation by 2036. Anchored in four pillars—sustainable economic development through diversification into agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing; human and social development via education, health, and inclusion; sustainable environment through resource conservation; and governance, peace, and security through transparency and accountability—this vision galvanizes a public service dedicated to delivering exceptional education, healthcare, justice, security, economic opportunity, and accountable governance to uplift every citizen. 

Performance Pioneered

 In 1999, Botswana embarked on a transformative journey to revitalize its public service by implementing a government-wide Performance Management System (PMS), aiming to address declining service quality, low productivity, and a disconnect between strategic goals and daily operations. Despite its promise, implementing PMS faced persistent challenges: inconsistent leadership, bureaucratic inertia, and limited alignment with national objectives. Recognizing the need for a cultural and systemic shift, the government invited external expertise to foster collaboration and embed transformative principles across its institutions. This initiative targeted Permanent Secretaries, their Deputy Permanent Secretaries, and high-level Directors in strategic positions, alongside change agents tasked with driving department-wide progress.

A cornerstone of this effort was the two-week Leadership Program for Executives, a transformative experience designed to equip Botswana’s top leaders with the skills to navigate a rapidly changing global landscape. Tammy, a pivotal figure in this endeavor, orchestrated the program, arranging for Permanent Secretaries and their Deputies to travel to the United States for an immersive learning experience. Beyond classroom sessions with experts in their fields, the program offered unparalleled access to world-class organizations, where participants benchmarked exemplary practices in leadership and cultural change.

Tammy’s multifaceted roles as core faculty member, program manager, project manager, executive coach, and relationship manager for the organizational site visits ensured a rich, tailored, cohesive experience. Many organizations graciously opened their doors, sharing insights with Botswana’s executives, who brought a unique perspective from a continent far removed, fostering a dynamic opportunity for learning  that enriched both sides.

“ The Essence of Quality lies in it’s Soul.”

– Tammy –

Transformational Leadership

Transformational Leadership was the central model of the program based upon the book she co-authored Transformational Leadership: Creating Organizations of Meaning. The Leadership Program for Executives was a carefully crafted initiative that blended global best practices with local relevance, featuring:

♦ Coaching for Clarity of Purpose and Vision:
Personalized one-on-one and small group coaching sessions empowered leaders to align their personal aspirations with organizational and national goals, fostering a shared sense of purpose.

♦ Site Visits to World-Class Organizations:
Participants gained firsthand exposure to innovative change practices at global giants like Boeing, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Nike, and Google, sparking inspiration for transformative strategies tailored to Botswana’s context.

♦ Personal and Interpersonal Mastery Coaching:
Sessions covered critical topics such as transformational leadership, performance-driven mindsets, strategic execution, organizational culture, resiliency, and team development, cultivating individual growth and interpersonal effectiveness to build high-performing, cohesive teams.

♦ Knowledge Building in Change Methodologies:
Leaders acquired tools and strategies for performance management and whole-systems change management, enabling them to address systemic challenges and drive sustainable progress.

Results

The program inspired the leadership culture, empowering hundreds of executives across every Ministry representing the full spectrum of Botswana’s societal sectors. This initiative cultivated a cadre of visionary leaders equipped to drive sustainable change, fostering a public service that was more cohesive, accountable, and aligned with the ambitious goals of Vision 2036. Beyond Botswana, the program attracted Executives local to the area and delegations from France and the Netherlands.

The Future

The program’s influence extended far beyond its immediate outcomes, laying a robust foundation for Tammy’s lifelong contributions to leadership and organizational transformation. As an educator, program manager, executive coach, and connector of organizations for learning, Tammy’s multifaceted leadership in the program bridged continents, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas that reshaped perspectives and practices.
Her early collaboration with Botswana was a crucible for her evolving philosophy, profoundly shaping her contemporary views on leadership, quality, and change.

The program’s legacy is evident in the hundreds of graduates who rose to prominent roles, serving with distinction and driving Botswana’s public service toward greater efficiency, inclusivity, and innovation. Tammy’s foundational work in Botswana not only transformed its public service but also positioned her as a global thought leader, whose insights continue to inspire human centric approaches to change.