Lwando Xaso — A purpose-led blueprint: The Constitutional Court

Highlights from the conversation:Sometimes, I think people forget that what happens to us in the workplace really has far-reaching consequencesI don't believe in safe spaces. I believe in brave spaces where people can be brave and say what it is that they've been through.[On the Constitutional Court] I worked in an environment where there was a concerted effort to live up to South Africa's highest ideals. It wasn't perfect, but just the striving of it made me have the highest standards.Arriving to the office and seeing the culture where the judges know everyone by name, you know, not just the law clerks, but the cleaning ladies, the security guards, and all the support staff. You know, a culture where the judges themselves refer to each other as brother and sister, which is very much an African cultureThe court has the constitution, this document or this clearly articulated purpose, a dent that they're trying to make in the world, that they have to go after. And I think by having that so clear, everybody who joins be it a clerk, or a cleaner, or a judge has something that they know that this institution, or this company, or this organisation is trying to achieve.Another ingredient to belonging and inclusion is an institution that justifies its decisions.A lot of people think of inclusion as 'I want to be given a seat at the table'. Not necessarily — what I want is for us is to throw out the table and actually, you know, sit in a circle and recreate the thing from scratch.Transparency is key for a purpose-driven organisation. Show us how you make your decisions, tell us why you've made a certain decision. Show us who's on your board, in your management, in your structures and all of that stuff.I read a beautiful piece last night, which said that it's not a principle until you've paid for it. And I love that thinking, that it's not going to be the smoothest, easiest, cheapest, or fastest route to stick to this, but the long term gain and the long term benefits will far outweigh the short-termism of not doing itIn my research, I've learned that people don't leave because of money. Most of the time they leave because they just find the culture unbearable, they feel like they don't belong.Reimagine how you can receive these people into your companies in a way that enriches you, and in a way that brings out the best in them, and in a way that reimagines what your company could be, because you're missing out on fresh ideas, on innovative ideas. More about Lwando Lwando Xaso is a constitutional lawyer, writer, and historian. She has discovered how change happens by studying South African history, especially the history of the Constitutional Court.Her career highlights include clerking for Justice Edwin Cameron at the Constitutional Court and being appointed as a senior researcher for former Chief Justice Ngcobo.Lwando is the founder and owner of Including Society, a company dedicated to helping create authentically inclusive and diverse private spaces. She is also part of the team developing a museum dedicated to telling the story of the South African Constitution, which will be located at Constitution at Hill.She is a trustee of the Constitutional Court and is currently writing her first book, "Made in South Africa — a Black Woman's Stories of Rage, Resistance and Progress". Find Lwando here:LinkedInFind Including Society on FacebookFind Including Society on Twitter Show NotesPeople:Ava DuVernay Maxine JaffitJudge Edwin CameronDonald DinnieDikgang MosenekeSisi Khampepe Institutions and Organisations:Norton Rose Fulbright (formerlyDeneys Reitz)GIBSThe Constitutional CourtUCTSupreme Court of AppealDSO (Scorpions) Miscellaneous:13thGlenister CaseThe Constitution (of the Republic of South Africa) How can you help?There are four ways you can help us out.Give us your thoughts. Rate the podcast and leave a comment.Share this as far and wide as you can - tell your friends, family and colleagues about us (caveat: if you own a family business, these may all be the same people)Tell us how we can create a better podcast - tell us what you liked, didn’t like, or what you’d like to hear more (or less) ofTell us who you’d like to hear on the podcast. Suggest someone that you think we should interview.One More Question is a podcast by Nicework a Brand and Service Design Company. One of the things we do best is asking our clients the right questions. This podcast came about because we want to share some of the best answers we have heard over the last 13 years. We talk to significant creators, experts and communicators who we have encountered. To share the useful insights, inspirations and facts that made us stop and take notes as we go about our work. Hosted by our Founder Ross Drakes.Subscribe iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google PodcastsMusic by: @dcuttermusic / http://www.davidcuttermusic.com
To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share this episode with your friends.