Florence: Hard work and perseverance yield results

Expecting instant results is one of the things that kills many success stories.

Today, the majority of people aren’t ready to be patient when wanting to pursue their dreams, so they end up being impatient and wanting easy success that doesn’t teach them to grow.

Speaking of impatience, the director of Legal Services at Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Authority (Dawasa), Florence Yamat, explained how she has avoided being impatient.

"I completed my university degree in law at the University of Dar es Salaam in 1996 and subsequently joined Dawasa in 1997 as a legal officer. Despite facing challenges related to people's perceptions during that time, I chose to persevere. I believed it was essential to gain experience and find a starting point or a place to learn that until I became the person I am today,” she shares.

She further added that there were many things she went through when she started her job—some were entirely new experiences, others required quick adaptation to the pace, and some presented sporadic challenges.

However, all these experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her into the position she’s in today.

With an impressive 27 years of experience, Florence has amassed a wealth of knowledge in water sector law, board governance, legislative drafting, and regulatory affairs.

Her commitment to Dawasa has not gone unnoticed, with some questioning her longevity at the institution.

However, she attributes her enduring tenure to the plethora of opportunities and the institution's commitment to valuing its employees.

"When people ask me why I've stayed for a long time, I always respond that I am here because there are a lot of opportunities at Dawasa.

In a job, it's not just about the salary; you should consider how much the institution values you, how it can contribute to your development, and the opportunities it provides for you to balance your life as a woman.

So, I see myself from that perspective because the institution has enabled me to reach where I am today,” she comments.

Ms Florence then elaborates on how Dawasa management managed to keep the ratio balanced to allow more women to hold leadership positions.

“There are 14 of us, and 8 are women. This ratio reflects a positive priority given to women. Many engineers are here; the Director of Sanitation is a woman; the Environmental Department is led by a woman; and even positions that may seem traditionally male-dominated are held by women,” she shares.

When it comes to leadership style, Florence emphasises justice and fairness as guiding principles.

She dislikes unnecessary conflicts, preferring open discussions and emphasising the importance of not seeing anyone oppressed in the workplace.

“Whenever I hear something, I prefer sharing and discussing it. I want fairness. Therefore, I am someone who likes to see things done in a straightforward manner. I don't want anyone to leave with bitterness in their work,” she shares.

A faithful advocate for mentoring and delegation, Florence enjoys offering advice and examples that promote continuous self-improvement among her team.

Her leadership philosophy revolves around laying a solid foundation for others, ensuring the team remains robust even in her absence.

"I actually delegate a lot, meaning I mentor, and often, while in the office, I enjoy giving advice and providing examples that emphasise the importance of continuous self-improvement for leadership growth. In our internal department meetings, I strive to inspire my team, but I also like to assign tasks and collaborate with them when they encounter challenges. This is because good leadership requires laying a solid foundation for others, so even in your absence, they won't falter,” shares Florence.

Addressing the underrepresentation of women in leadership, Florence believes capability and perseverance play pivotal roles.

She encourages individuals, especially women, not to succumb to the tendency to give up, stressing that determined individuals will always find alternative paths to their goals.

"Once you decide to give up, things don't progress. However, there are times when, even if you lack the capability and haven't decided to give up, you must seek alternative ways to achieve that goal. This is not only for women but for many people; there is that tendency to give up. You find someone who falls once and feels they can't continue anymore, but once you're determined, you must ensure you reach your goals,” says Florence.

Highlighting the societal trend of expecting success without effort, Florence advocates for hard work and dedication, asserting that one's efforts define their capabilities.

She urges aspiring leaders, especially women, to recognise and embrace their multifaceted capabilities, emphasising the unique strengths they bring to leadership roles.

“Women possess immense capabilities in accomplishing tasks; however, they often struggle with self-confidence. Women have the ability to multitask and balance various aspects of their lives. That's why, when a woman gets a leadership opportunity, she can efficiently and effectively carry out any tasks. Women carry many roles and capabilities; they can be teachers, doctors, wives, mothers, and home chefs, yet you rarely hear them complain. Therefore, I believe that when many women take up leadership positions, it greatly contributes to enhancing and advancing strategies across various sectors,” explains Florence.

As a leader who successfully navigates the delicate balance between work and home life, Florence shares her secret: consciously switching off from work when at home.

This approach allows her to be fully present with her family, emphasising the importance of maintaining a work-life balance.

"I usually make a conscious effort to switch off from work when I get home. Most of the time, I try to be fully present at home and leave all work-related matters at the office. I learned this lesson a long time ago—it's better to stay a bit later at work to finish tasks, so when I'm at home, I can fully focus on my family. In extremely rare cases, I might answer a work-related call, but generally, I prefer to balance my personal and professional lives,” she elaborates.

Offering advice to aspiring female leaders, Florence encourages them to continue learning and pursuing their dreams despite challenges.

“One piece of advice I can offer to other young women is not to give up when they encounter difficulties, especially if they are determined. There's a saying that where there's a will, there's a way, so it's essential to seek ways to achieve your goals,” she explains.

She further added that it’s important to avoid being impatient when wanting to pursue the dream.

“You might find someone who just started a job today and already wants to have their own company. That's not the way to go; you should start by learning and be quick in adapting and maintaining a learning mindset. When you get the chance, be eager to learn to achieve your dreams. There's no skipping steps; you must progress gradually to reach a leadership position,” she emphasises.