AngloGold Ashanti

The technology community is facing complex challenges to capitalize on disruptive opportunities whilst continuously improving and ensuring service stability. To remain competitive and sustainable, organizations are compelled to enhance operational efficiency, adapt to evolving technologies, and therefore set dynamic strategies. 

Robin Fell, the Senior Vice President of Digital Technology at AngloGold Ashanti, underscores the necessity for a multi-skilled approach within organizations. According to Fell, effective technology leadership demands a comprehensive strategy encompassing effective stakeholder management, self-awareness, and a people-focused mindset.

Inspired by Bruce Lee as a child, Robin shares some of his learnings along with a few choice quotes.

“If you knew you had to fight for your life tomorrow, would you change your training today?”

Strategy guides and builds organizations, and the first step is understanding the current state and maturity level. Self-awareness is also helpful for our individuals to possess. Organizations should view strategy as a living entity that evolves with the ever-changing wider landscape, which requires a multifaceted and adaptive approach. “To put it simply, learn from your mistakes; understand what doesn’t work then plot and overlay a new strategy; cultivate self-awareness to ensure that you know what excellence looks like and implement a plan to achieve it,” continues Fell. As the saying goes, "Anything we did well today, we can do better tomorrow", so reflecting on past approaches allows us to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

“Choose the positive. You have choice, you are master of your attitude, choose the positive, the constructive. Optimism is a faith that leads to success.”

With over two decades of experience, Fell's journey from an Audit Assistant to Senior Vice President honed his understanding of technocratic dynamics. Throughout his career trajectory, one fundamental remained - the significance of people-centric strategies and good attitudes in ensuring sustained success.

 Team diversity is not only about gender or ethnicity but different backgrounds, mindsets, approaches, perspectives, and the experiences within us. 

He believes that change is constant, and successful organizations recognize the importance of a people-focused approach. Empowering teams through a multiskilled approach encourages resilience and adaptability. “For evolution, not just innovation, to take place, you need people who are open-minded, willing to improve, curious and inquisitive with problem-solving mindsets to challenge the status quo,” continues Fell.

“Use only that which works and take it from any place you can find it.”

Team diversity is not only about gender or ethnicity but different backgrounds, mindsets, approaches, perspectives, and the experiences within us. True diversity is in the mind and heart, producing uniqueness which should be celebrated.

“The art of fighting, without fighting.”

Not all solutions require cutting-edge technology. “The art of fighting without fighting… involves strategic thinking that goes beyond the obvious.”, continues Fell. Sometimes challenges demand innovative or unconventional thinking, or even process-oriented solutions rather than technological fixes. Simplicity should be valued, along with an open-minded attitude which is essential in exploring unconventional options.

Organizations must sow the seeds for people-centric results. This involves recognizing that the best ideas often emerge from a collaborative effort that values diversity, fosters empowerment, and welcomes different perspectives.

“A goal is not always meant to be reached; it often serves simply as something to aim at.”

Achieving strategic excellence is not a destination but a continuous journey, requiring evolution. Organizations must be agile, open-minded, and willing to adapt their strategies to the ever-changing landscape. By embracing thoughtful stakeholder management, fostering self-awareness, and championing a people-focused approach, leaders can build organizations that stand the test of time – organizations that not only survive but even thrive in the face of adversity.