The Hellenic Leadership Initiative is not exclusive to people of Greek descent; it is open to both Greeks and Philhellenes who are actively interested and involved in the Greek community. To be considered for the initiative, the nominee must be a member of the Hellenic-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries. If the candidate is not currently a member, they can easily apply for membership directly on our website.

Candidates must have at least one year of experience and proven traction in their respective fields. Because success looks different across professions, candidates are assessed on a case-by-case basis according to the specific conditions and realities of their working environment (for example, attorneys and accountants are evaluated on different metrics than entrepreneurs). The selection committee specifically looks for the following core traits:

1. Learning Agility & Curiosity

The ability to learn quickly, seek out new knowledge, and adapt to unfamiliar situations.

• Participation in leadership development programmes, workshops, or certifications beyond mandatory requirements.
• Pursuing additional qualifications or self-directed learning opportunities.
• Taking on stretch assignments outside of their normal role.
• Involvement in cross-functional projects that require learning new skills.
• Demonstrating a track record of applying lessons learned to improve performance.

2. Emotional Intelligence

The ability to understand and manage one's own emotions while building strong relationships with others.

• Mentoring or coaching peers or junior colleagues.
• Roles that require conflict resolution or stakeholder management.
• Evidence of strong teamwork and relationship-building skills.
• Positive feedback from colleagues regarding communication and collaboration.
• Demonstrated empathy when leading projects or supporting team members.

3. Natural Initiative & Ownership

A tendency to proactively identify opportunities, solve problems, and take accountability for outcomes.

• Leading projects or initiatives without being formally appointed as the project lead.
• Introducing process improvements or efficiencies.
• Volunteering for additional responsibilities.
• Taking ownership of challenges and following through to completion.
• Demonstrating entrepreneurial thinking or innovation within their area of responsibility.

4. Collaborative Influence

The ability to influence outcomes and bring others together without relying solely on formal authority.

• Leading committees, workstreams, or community initiatives.
• Coordinating activities across departments or teams.
• Building consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Serving as a trusted advisor or informal leader within a team.
• Facilitating discussions, workshops, or knowledge-sharing sessions.

5. Resilience

The ability to remain effective and maintain performance in the face of setbacks, pressure, or change.

• Successfully navigating significant organisational or personal challenges while maintaining performance.
• Taking on demanding assignments with tight deadlines.
• Demonstrating persistence despite obstacles or initial setbacks.
• Managing competing priorities effectively.
• Showing adaptability during periods of change or uncertainty.

To nominate a candidate, simply click the "Submit a Nomination" button on this page and follow the prompts in the form. You will be required to provide your contact details as well as the contact details of the nominee. The most important component of your submission is a 300 to 500-word written motivation. In this motivation, you must provide context and express clearly why the nominee is an ideal recipient to take part in this leadership program, highlighting how they meet the selection criteria.

No, self-nominations are not accepted. All candidates must be nominated by a third party. However, multiple submissions can be made per candidate. If several people wish to nominate the same individual, each person is encouraged to submit a separate nomination to strengthen the candidate's profile.