About Unleashing My Superpowers: How to navigate and succeed in a male-dominated mining work environment (STEM) by DR Patience Mpofu
Have you ever wondered, “What does it take for women to succeed in a male-dominated workplace like mining?” Or are you a woman in STEM or woman in science, struggling to navigate the male-dominated work environment?
Imagine what life would be like if you had a manual with strategies and step-by-step practical tools to help you navigate the challenges of trying to succeed in a male-dominated work environment to C-Suite level. What benefits would that bring to you and your family? Look no further!
Multi-award-renowned global mining sustainability thought leader and IWF Fellow Dr. Patience Mpofu, reveals for the first time how to navigate a male-dominated workplace, break free from cultural biases, overcome imposter syndrome, and unleash your superpowers to break the glass ceiling.
Unleashing My Superpowers is a compelling and inspirational memoir filled with profound stories, wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about succeeding in the tough, male-dominated mining industry for over 25 years. Patience shares how she left her mark on this industry and won several awards for it in Africa. Her near-death experience on a family holiday in Africa inspired her to pay it forward by creating this valuable narrative for women.
Patience tells her unique story of how her upbringing in a Lemba (black Jew) tradition shaped her belief system, which led to her embarking on a STEM career. She rose above many challenges and traumatic experiences, from not feeling good enough as a child, to almost drowning while in primary school, to becoming a mother at the age of 21. She shares her personal journey, from facing subtle invisible barriers, to rising through the ranks and finally being known as the most influential woman in mining in Africa and selected for the acclaimed IWF Fellows Program. With humor, her journey through various locations across the globe, including safaris in Africa, will keep your eyes glued to the page.
This book provides insight into how women can manage the challenges of building a career in male-dominated workplaces. It creates a subtle but profound shift in mindset that helps you understand what gives you meaning and unleash your superpowers. Unleashing My Superpowers will forever change the way you think about your ability to succeed in male-dominated industries. Inside, you will discover:
• How your upbringing can be reshaped by powerful paradigm shifts as a leader
• Step-by-step exercises to identify and overcome invisible barriers
• How to speak up for yourself and find fulfillment in your career
• Inspirational leadership stories from various mining locations across the globe, including South Africa, Australia, Chile, and Brazil
• How to rebound, overcome fears of imposter syndrome, develop resilience and identify your superpowers.
• Why we need more women leaders who can help you succeed in male-dominated workplaces
• Why now is the perfect time to “lean in” for opportunities due to ESG requirements
• The secret to getting promoted with the powerful Peak Performance Leadership Model for the 21st century
• Bonuses and challenges at the end of each chapter to help you get started immediately
“You need to unleash something extra to be the change you want to see in the world. Its about having a sense of purpose, stepping out of your comfort zone, using your voice to inspire others, and being a catalyst for change. Women have superpowers and it’s time to unleash them! Wathinta umfazi, wathinta imbokodo is a Zulu saying that means, ‘You strike a woman, you strike a rock.’ Let us all shine our lights and help others shine theirs.” – Dr Patience Mpofu
Unleashing My Superpowers is eloquent black female memoir, which is practical, backed with real-life examples and personal stories that inspire women to unlock the superpowers necessary to succeed in their career.
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Author Bio:
A Zimbabwean born, black South African woman, Dr. Patience Mpofu has won multiple awards as one of the inspirational african women leaders in mining in Africa, and was the former Vice President of an Australian-listed mining company. She is a Global Mining Sustainability Thought Leader (ESG), Executive Leadership Coach, and Women in STEM advocate for change. Patience started from humble beginnings in Africa, got married at 21, and won a scholarship sponsored by one of the largest mining companies, Anglo American, to study for a PhD in Australia. She was part of a research team that worked to solve water sustainability issues, sponsored by 10 global mining companies. As a single mother in a foreign country, she completed her PhD while working, winning several awards, and authored over 10 international peer-reviewed journals on sustainability in the mining industry by the age of 32.
Patience has now turned her 25-year trailblazing career in mining into empowering and paving the way for other women coming up against the same barriers she experienced on her way to success. In 2019, Patience won CEO Global Most Influential Woman in Mining in Business and Government in South Africa and Southern Africa Regional awards. In 2020, she won the CEO Global continental award for the mining sector in Africa. “The awards represent something deep for me,” she said. “They are a symbol for the struggle of a black woman in mining. Let me embrace them all on behalf of all women. The fight for gender equality is a moral and an economic issue. Women make not just good leaders, but great ones.”
Patience has become one of the most influential and a sought-after global speakers and coaches. She was recognised as one of the 36 female leaders from around the world to take part in the 2019 IWF Fellows Program, an honour that changed the course of her path and inspired her to write this book as part of her Legacy Project. She is founder and CEO of Peak Performance with Patience, an academy for women in STEM that offers free and low-cost membership for various mentorship and masterclasses. She is also CEO of Insight Mining Experts, a global platform that connects technology experts to solve sustainability issues in the mining industry and help them meet their ESG commitments.
Patience is a former member of the UN Women GICC, focused on accelerating the advancement of women and girls in STEM. In addition to holding a PhD from UNISA Australia, she has an MBA from Wits Business School in South Africa, and an AMP from INSEAD. She is a member of the invite-only IWF Australia Chapter and is the G100 Global Chair for Sustainable Mining (ESG). She currently lives with her son William, between Sydney, Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa.
You can find out more about Patience at peakperformancewithpatience.com.