Shirley Zinn’s story is one of determination, courage, and triumph over incredible adversity.

Born and raised on the Cape Flats, Shirley never allowed her past to dictate her future. She proved that the typical story of a girl from the Cape Flats – that of gangsterism, alcoholism and teenage pregnancy – didn’t have to be her story. Instead she relentlessly pursued her own goals and forged an impressive academic career even when she faced significant odds. And when she’d done that, she set out to conquer the world of business.

Shirley is a formidable woman with an amazing story to tell. She has risen to the top of the pile in both academic and business circles, and yet she has retained great humanity and empathy in the face of great personal tragedy.

Her story has lessons for us all – whether we are ordinary or extraordinary, whether we work in business, in government, or at home. Shirley’s story will inspire you and show you that it is possible to achieve your goals, if you are prepared to swim upstream and be single-minded in getting where you want to be.

"This is truly a standout book that packs a real punch in the sea of books on leadership. This has to be the most updated, and most comprehensive and definitive compendium on leaders and leadership, written by an impressive array of prominent and respected experts in the field." - Prof. Shirley Zinn, Director of Companies and author of the best-selling book Swimming Upstream.

In Building Leadership Talent, 12 thought-leaders cover the following themes:

• Leadership as strategic organisational capability and intervention by Theo H Veldsman and Andrew J Johnson
• Leadership talent for an uncertain future by David Conradie
• Leadership assessment by Nicola Taylor and Paul Vorster
• Business schools as hubs of leadership education by Piet Naudé
• Leadership development: principles, approaches and processes by Nancy Keeshan and Sharmla Chetty
• Leadership coaching by Aletta Odendaal
• Corporate universities by Philipp Kolo, Rainer Strack and Jens Baier
• The future of leadership by Andrew J Johnson and Theo H Veldsman

Building Leadership Talent also features inspirational leadership stories from:

• Cheryl Carolus: Leaders must lead by example
• Johan van Zyl: Get to know yourself early on in your career
• Ali Bacher: Captaining on and off the field
• Ian Donald: Being an authentic and confident leader
• Herman Mashaba: Good leaders are guided by reality, not wishful thinking
• Pfungwa Serima: Head in the Clouds and feet on the ground