Sandton resident empowers emerging leaders

As the founder of consulting company, NeoSpectives, Pillay hosts leadership seminars and training camps for emerging business owners and mid-level managers in order to assist them with leadership skills.

The River Club resident explained the decision behind launching NeoSpectives, founded in 2009, and the significance of the decision.

“As a qualified chartered accountant, I came to realise that the field focused mainly on technical aspects and ignored aspects such as leadership and public speaking, so I decided to offer training on these important skills and bridge the gap,” she said.

She explained that such skills were important, and she also saw this as a way to serve and assist others in their careers.

Offering a variety of services, Pillay explained that employees are often not fully equipped when applying for posts, and it was important to address that and attempt to change that.

In addition to offering empowerment sessions, Pillay is also an author of a motivational book, highlighting her experiences and journey in the job market.

“The book, Contract with Yourself, began as a journal highlighting things that I picked up along my journey and what I learnt from them and I think it will also motivate others as they progress in their professional lives,” she said.

As with starting any business, Pillay has faced challenges related to leaving her job and starting her business.

She explained that the time spent unemployed proved a great challenge as it brought home the reality of her choices but in the end, she kept busy and joined associations where she received mentorship from industry experts.

Her advice to emerging business owners is to seek out mentors and take part in activities that empower and assist professional growth.

“Remaining humble and learning to lead our own lives is important because, before we can lead others, we need to learn how to lead our own lives,” she concluded.