Having just ended Women’s month, we decided to shine the spotlight on one of our inspirations here at Dear Rookie Advocate; Mrs. Maggie Kaunda. A true example of achieving purpose with focus and determination.
Maggie Kaunda is the Deputy Managing Director of the Zambia Airports Corporation Limited, currently acting as Managing Director. She serves as the Chairperson of the Zambia State Insurance Pension Trust Board of Trustees and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in International Trade Law and Policy at Lund University in Sweden.
How did you land where you are today?
By the grace of God. I also believe that it is a result of hard work and focus on the goal which is to be and do the best that I can regardless of the position I hold at any given time.
Is this where you thought you would be at this point of your life?
Not quite actually. My career has at times taken some twists and turns that I had never imagined.
Who are the people that have made the biggest difference in your career?
My husband has been an amazing pillar of strength and encouragement. Often sacrificing his own ambition over mine. Also, my mentors and friends have been very supportive and cheering me on at every turn even when I doubted myself.
Are they people you deliberately sought out or did you just meet them along the way?
I can say without a doubt that I deliberately sought each person out although I can attest to how God’s invisible hand was at times at work even though I thought I was the one in control.
What has been the proudest moment of your career?
Being asked to act in the highest position of the Corporation that I work for in 2018, for close to a year and executing the role with grace.
What was your biggest failure and how did you deal with it?
Self doubt in my abilities at times. I sought knowledge and wisdom and I found them. I am still a work in progress, growing by day and leaning in.
What does success look like to you?
Success to me is focusing on a goal but being aware of the process of getting there, celebrating the wins and learning from the losses. Also knowing that I do not have to know everything but embracing the team and celebrating each one’s strength.
How has your definition of success transformed over your career?
It has greatly transformed because I previously focused only on the goal and now, I have embraced the process as well.
Is there anything you’ve had to give up in order to get where you are today?
Yes, a number of things. The biggest one though has been having to give up time with my family for long periods of time to engage in my studies or work late nights to beat deadlines when I would have rather been home with them.
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about your career path?
That I never imagined that I would move away from Corporate Law to being more operations, strategy and technical services based.
What is the toughest feedback you’ve ever received and how did you handle it?
That I was biased in my perception of an issue because I may have been conflicted. I took a step back and introspected. After introspection, I was convinced that I was not biased but appreciated the feedback and communicated this accordingly.
What do you wish you knew 10 years ago?
That not even the sky is the limit and that I could be anything that I set out to be if I wanted to.
What would you do differently if given the opportunity?
I would be more confident in my abilities and take some risks knowing that if I failed, I would still learn.
How do you approach work-life balance?
I make deliberate time with my family and do other things apart from work
What skills does a Rookie Advocate need to move ahead in the legal profession?
Understanding one’s role. Knowing where to find the law and knowing who to call when stuck.
What is a common mistake you keep correcting among Rookie Advocates you’ve encountered over the years?
The fear of trying and the thought that need to know it all.
Do you have any tips for networking/building professional relationships?
Taking part in LAZ (The Law Association of Zambia) activities is a good place to start. Also there are a lot of other networks around the country and the world that can be used for this. LAZ can connect one to most under the Legal profession. E.g IBA (The International Bar Association), SADC Lawyers Association, (Southern African Development Community) etc
Please recommend a book or resource that you think every lawyer should read?
I cannot think of any Legal resource off the top of my head right now but can recommend books such as “Lean In” by Sheryl Sandburg as self help especially for women and a strategy book called “Blue Ocean Shift” by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne.
