Margie Laubscher adapted to the Kiwi style of management
When Margie Laubscher immigrated to New Zealand from South Africa, she found a whole new world. “The lifestyle in South Africa just wasn’t right for our children, and we didn’t see that there was going to be a very bright future for them then, so we felt it was the best time to make that move.”
Back in South Africa, Margie had worked as a manager in underwriting and brokering for 12 years. When she found her qualifications in insurance didn’t transfer readily to New Zealand, she saw an opportunity to take a different direction.
“When I immigrated to New Zealand it was a different country; different market; just completely different. I decided it was time for a change. I thought I’d try administration management, but I didn’t have a clue how to work a computer, so I started brushing up on those skills and I took a number of courses.”
Margie says she found the style of management very different in New Zealand. “When I did my management papers I noticed that one of the studies was on dealing with cultural differences as a manager. I think New Zealanders have more of an egalitarian society and an inclusive process than South Africans.”
Although Margie found it quite a challenge to adapt to this approach, she believes it has helped her on a personal level. “The South African culture is very abrupt and can be quite authoritarian. Years ago, I could have been quite dogmatic, but now I’ve learned to listen more and not to make a decision and implement it without careful consultation.
“I soon found that coming over here I had to become much more consultative and much more careful. I’ve actively had to work on that and that’s been a good thing for me.”
