# Q&A With Group Head of Leadership, Learning and Talent at Barclays Africa Group Limited

On July 24, 2018, Dr. Thokozile Lewanika-Mpupuni, Group Head of Leadership, Learning and Talent at Barclays Africa Group Limited, is joining four other learning leaders from high profile organizations on a panel moderated by Mike Prokopeak, CLO, of CLO Media at Bridge’s annual user conference in Keystone, Colorado.

With this year’s theme being [Big Top Bridge](https://events.bizzabo.com/InstCarn2018/page/1321886/bridge), Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni will get the chance to not only share her secrets to achieving and sustaining growth and high performance at Barclays Africa, but will also get a chance to take a spin on her favorite carnival rides.

![Dr. Thokozile Lewanika-Mpupuni](https://www.instructure.com/sites/blog.getbridge/files/inline-images/Thokozile%20Lewanika-Mpupuni.jpg)

### Q&A With Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni of Barclays Africa

However, we don’t have wait until July to get to know Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni, we sat down with her to learn more about her career, the future of work, and what carnival treat rules them all.

**Bridge:** Who was your best manager and what made them so great?

**Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni:** My best “manager” was Judy Malan. She super charged my ability to see myself through other people’s eyes (self-awareness) and helped me become much more than I was (expanded my situational leadership). She was caring and brutally honest. And still is!

**Bridge:** What’s the one thing you wish you had learned before you started your career?

**Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni:** What you study is not a “life sentence” that pre-determines all the jobs you will ever have. It’s just what you studied at that point in time.

**Bridge:** What’s the one skill you would tell the upcoming workforce to practice over and over?

**Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni:** Listening to understand…

**Bridge:** What’s the best job you’ve ever had?

**Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni:** Facilitating learning. From my University lecturing days to my current work, seeing the light go on in a learner’s eyes is magical!

**Bridge:** What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

**Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni:** Scrubbing long drop toilets in boarding school! (Punishment for being TOO outspoken..)

**Bridge:** What does the future of work look like in your company?

**Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni:** Digitally connected, highly collaborative cross-functional teams.

**Bridge:** What’s the most delicious carnival treat on the planet?

**Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni:** Caramel popcorn. Of course!

[Join us at Big Top Bridge July 22-24](https://events.bizzabo.com/InstCarn2018/page/1321886/bridge) and get more insights from Dr. Lewanika-Mpupuni and other learning leaders during our panel discussion while networking with colleagues, learning about the latest in [performance-management software](https://www.getbridge.com/products/performance/), and [learning management systems](https://www.getbridge.com/products/lms/) and enjoy some deep-fried food.

You can also enjoy Big Top Bridge from the comfort of your couch. If you can’t make the trip to Keystone, Co. then [join us online](https://www.getbridge.com/news/events/big-top-bridge/keynote-registration) while we live stream our keynote sessions.