You have on various occasions challenged me on why I work so hard, yet I don't have a boss. I remember showing Dalitso the photo of our board chair, and she said, "Ah, that’s Uncle Bheki. That can’t be your boss". At times I have said Mummy is my boss, but Ruby has always dismissed that by saying she is your wife. So, who is my boss?

Maybe let's ask the question differently- does one need a boss to work? I believe so. Bosses come in different forms:

• there is the immediate supervisor who monitors the delivery of tasks.

• then there is the leader who sells the vision and expects the team to execute.

In both instances, there is a human that can be pointed to as the boss. But I have come to believe in another boss- your purpose and passion in life can be a driving force to the extent that you don't need a fellow human being watching over you to determine if work is being done or not.

This is probably the sweet spot of work - when you become a purpose-driven leader. It's no longer about showing up at work or ticking off the box that I completed a task. But when you live your whole life with purpose, you behave differently. You will have arrived at a point where you don't need a human boss watching over you, work becomes your passion. At this level, your desire is not to beat the competition but your previous levels. You compete/operate at the level of set objectives that are aligned with your goals and not what others are doing. You give it your all every time not because somebody is watching but because your overriding goals demand maximum performance.

The reward is no longer about a paycheck but building something of value and significance- maybe a multigenerational business.

Your boss at this level is not an individual but a consuming passion. The passion keeps you awake at night. It doesn't matter what day of the week it is- all you want is to accomplish the purpose.

I am yet to reach that stage. I keep on striving every day not to be a men pleaser but rather a purpose-driven leader. I believe our country and indeed the continent will be better served by purpose-driven leaders.