Kejad Insights

I interned at a company renowned for its premium alcoholic beverages. I witnessed a profound lesson in leadership that continues to shape my perspective. The company sponsored an electrifying all-night music festival at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare. It was a vibrant event that drew both customers and colleagues. Colleagues could attend for fun. However, those in sales and marketing were required to be there. It was a blend of work and celebration.

As an intern at a company renowned for its premium alcoholic beverages, I witnessed a profound lesson in leadership that continues to shape my perspective. The company sponsored an electrifying all-night music festival at Gwanzura Stadium in Harare, a vibrant event drawing both customers and colleagues. While colleagues could attend for fun, those in sales and marketing were mandated to be there — blending work with celebration.

As hours passed and drinks flowed freely, Tendai’s exhaustion and the effects of alcohol became evident. At one point, the. leadership, including the Marketing Director handed him beer mugs to refill. He took a few steps, stopped, and, in a moment of frustration, set the. Marketing Director’s mug down. His voice cut through the stadium’s roar: “I’m not your child, servant, or spouse to keep fetching your drinks! Do it yourself!” With a defiant kick to the mug, he stumbled, fell, and within moments, was fast asleep on the ground.

The leadership team quickly intervened, recognizing Tendai had overindulged. Rather than reprimand him amidst the festival’s chaos, they arranged for him to be driven home safely in the early hours of Sunday morning. The car? It belonged to the Marketing Director. When Tendai’s wife described the vehicle that had brought him home, he realized who had ensured his safe return, and dread set in.

On Monday, I arrived at the office to find Tendai already there, a far cry from his usual cheerful self. He shared how colleagues had called him Sunday afternoon, recounting his outburst and collapse with laughter. Convinced his job was at stake, he awaited discipline or worse — termination.

But the Marketing Director and the #leadership team chose a different path. In a meeting, he chuckled, saying, “We can’t fire Tendai or punish him harshly for acting in a way consistent with the effects of our products when taken in excess.” Instead, they opted for compassion, counseling Tendai on responsible drinking and coaching him to turn his misstep into growth.

From that day, Tendai became a changed man. He emerged as the company’s fiercest advocate for responsible drinking, sharing his story to promote moderation and accountability. His transformation from a moment of vulnerability at Gwanzura Stadium to a champion of change showcased the power of empathetic leadership.

This experience taught me that great leaders don’t just enforce rules — they see potential in mistakes and guide others toward redemption. It’s a lesson I carry forward, a reminder that leadership is about lifting people up, even when they falter.