A Journey of Hard-work, Resiliency & Continuous Learning
Shepard Chihoro, Managing Director – Doves Financial Services, Zimbabwe
The Africa Insurance Magazine has an exclusive with the Doves Financial Services Managing Director, Shepard Chihoro. In an exclusive with AIM, the Doves executive director unpacked leadership lessons of over a decade and shared highlights of his professional journey; A journey of hard-work, resiliency and continuous learning. In conversation with AIM, the renowned business executive and banker reminisced about his upbringing and career journey. Having studied, Business Studies with a major in Finance and Banking at the University of Zimbabwe, Shepard did his work related learning with the then Beverly Building Society and worked as a part time employee with the then Century Bank during semester breaks. After completing his undergraduate degree in 2006, he joined Stanbic Bank as a bank clerk. This marked the genesis of his professional career in the financial services sector in Zimbabwe. Between then and now, Shepard has assumed different roles with different financial institutions in Zimbabwe. In 2018, he was appointed as Managing Director of Doves Financial Services, a position he holds currently.
Every journey has a few bumps along the way, speaking about his professional career, the Doves Financial Services managing director said, “Getting my first job at Stanbic Bank was not easy. I had to put away my degree and join the organisation as a clerk using my Advanced level certificates. My first responsibility was to carry trunks full of cash from one teller to another to count the cash and then move the trunks for dispatch once the teller had completed counting.
“Despite this job being more physical than anything, it helped me value hard work and laid a strong foundation to appreciate retail banking.”
Reflecting on his executive journey in the financial services sector, Shepard highlighted his three major leadership lessons that emerging practitioners and business leaders can take advantage of, to sustainably lead their businesses and enhance their professional journey;
- “You are only as good as your Team. I believe in building a strong team through effective communication and empathy in all facets of life. This has helped me start and grow 2 businesses in the financial services sector.”
- “Build a strong network of relationships. Generally, the financial services sector is a red tape sector to minimize risk. However, at one time or another it is important to have a community that listens and connect you with industry opportunities. Therefore, your network has the capacity to provide solutions to some of your problems.”
- “In todays’ ever evolving world, where technology is taking centre stage and changing how we do business, it is imperative to invest in continuous learning and personal development. This is a prerequisite to maximize on digital transformation. I enrolled, for a Master’s in Business Administration with NUST, Zimbabwe because I believe that leaders continue to learn, unlearn and relearn, he said.”
Shepard strongly believes that, collaboration within the financial services sector is an effective tool that leaders and organizations can use to design and develop products that address the needs of our communities, and future generations. Speaking to AIM, he said, “there is no need to re-invent the wheel where existing solution exists. At Doves Financial Services, we have partnered with several service providers to enhance product development and delivery. We believe that, as long as the collaborative efforts leave our clients in a better position, we should collaboratively offer the solutions.”
“The desired product offerings and solutions needed by clients are continuously evolving. This calls for financial institutions to leverage on the power of collective wisdom and brilliance to design relevant solutions.”
