09 MAY 2026

Leadership in the age of mental fitness

Rather than focusing on individual shortcomings, leaders should address systemic cultural issues, fostering an environment conducive to all team members, regardless of their background.

Leadership is undergoing a profound shift and, in the age of AI, economic pressure, social complexity, and relentless pace, leaders are no longer expected to be the loudest or most unshakeable figures in the room.

Instead, employees are turning to leaders who demonstrate clarity, composure, empathy, and a deep commitment to mental fitness.

Across business, law, banking, engineering, and even elite sport, resilience and mental wellbeing are now consistently central to high performance.

This was according to Kuhle Sonkosi, SA personality and former rugby union player, setting the scene during a panel discussion entitled Leadership in the Age of Mental Fitness at the October Health Wellness Conference in November. His panellists included Safiyya Patel, a managing partner at Webber Wentzel; Mpumelelo Mhlongo, South African paralympic sprinter; Angela Mhlanga, CEO of Hollard Group Risk; and Lesley Anne Gatter, global head of people and organisation at Investec.

Patel, a seasoned corporate leader, roots her leadership style in performance psychology. Her understanding of mental fitness began early. Growing up with a mother living with clinical depression, she witnessed first-hand how tools such as visualisation, positive thinking, confidence-building through action, and supportive relationships can transform a life. These principles became the foundation of her own leadership practice.

Today, she applies them deliberately, encouraging teams to visualise success, structuring performance conversations around actionable goals, and ensuring everyone has equitable access to opportunities.

“Mental fitness is not an abstract concept, it is a strategy that builds confidence, fuels collaboration, improves decision-making, and ultimately drives client satisfaction.”

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