Home - Hester Nienaber

Hester’s research offers leadership a sophisticated diagnostic tool to shape a competitive advantage by unlocking human competence, enabling people to execute strategy effectively.

Hester Nienaber is an award-winning teacher and researcher. She is now retired from the University of South Africa (Unisa). She is a visiting research scholar at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Hester invests some of her time as a freelance researcher and consultant.

Her curiosity drives her passion for research to find answers to contemporary business problems. In so doing, she makes a difference in the real world by sharing knowledge with practitioners. By training, Hester is a management scientist and holds, among others, a Doctorate of Commerce (D Com) from the University of South Africa (Unisa) and an MBA from the University of Pretoria (UP). Her specialization is strategy, focusing on execution. After many years of study, implementation remains a mystery and challenges many organizations. People are vital in implementation. Therefore, they need to be fully functioning or flourishing. Leadership is essential in enabling people to flourish and, thus, execute strategy.

However, leadership overlooks people as a critical resource and forsakes their general management task of motivation. My tool can assist leadership in optimizing human functioning, creating a competitive advantage, and facilitating strategy execution. Essentially, this tool serves as the ‘Royal Path’ of human flourishing.

PUBLICATIONS

A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR UNLOCKING HUMAN COMPETENCE TO EXECUTE STRATEGY EFFECTIVELY

This diagnostic reflects the business as a total system, displaying fundamental business components integral to its functioning. These are people analytics, inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes, as impacted by the environment and feedback loops which provide information to adjust plans.

This diagnostic demonstrates that strategy shaping is an intertwined process necessitating a holistic approach to account for all variables impacting performance effectiveness, particularly human resources.

A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR UNLOCKING HUMAN COMPETENCE TO EXECUTE STRATEGY EFFECTIVELY

TESTIMONIALS

“Professor Hester Nienaber is a global researcher and thought leader in her field. As a former student I learned a significant amount from her on the concepts of leadership and strategy execution specifically. What stands out about in her work is that her research is not just theory based but relevant to practice. I have been able to apply her knowledge and with significant success in leading International organisations. Hester is an exceptional strategy source for shaping value in business. “

“Hester has an exceptional work ethic and garnered nothing but respect from everyone, especially myself who is privileged to work with her. Her work is meticulous and her compassionate nature eases any working relationship. Hester’s dedication and passion for research simplify challenges and aided me to serve as her working partner in being co-author of some articles in accredited Journals, as well as co-presenter at several International Conferences. It is truly a privilege and an honor to consider Hester as a working partner and I can assure that Hester’s commitment to her professional career as well as her knowledge and skill in research can shape a competitive advantage and unlock human competence enabling people to effectively execute strategy in any given situation.”

“Unisa: I was placed at a section where Prof Nienaber was the section head. Things were done differently as compared to where I was coming from. She took me through the development stage in academic work orientation at the institution of higher learning, it was tough, but she was supportive through the journey. I learnt the ins and outs of being an academic through her guidance. Her feedback is always timeous and pushes back and widens my knowledge horizons. Prof Nienaber has eye-for-details as soft skill to her advantage, and she is capable of reading through a long document in a shortest time, making sense out of it and provide helpful feedback. I consider myself fortunate to be working with Prof Nienaber.”

"A pivotal axel in my doctorate studies, research and academic orientation- acclaimed rated, research professor, Prof Hester Nienaber has blessed me with her guidance, wisdom and objective approach towards many scientific topics. The uncommon blend of practical, insightful and broad managerial background with a thorough and solid research underpinning, makes her an inspirational leader and astute working companion. Thank you for being available for guidance and bouncing new ideas."

TESTIMONIALS

SURVEY

Royal Path of Human Flourishing for Effective Strategy Execution

The purpose of the survey is to test the practical value of the diagnostic tool for effective strategy execution. Hence, your voluntary participation is appreciated. Voluntary means you can withdraw at any stage without negative consequences. Your responses are anonymous and will be treated on a confidential basis. This survey should take about 12-15 minutes to complete. The minor inconvenience of completing the survey is the only foreseeable risk. Thus, taking the survey poses a low risk. You consent to the survey by participating. From time to time the aggregated results will be published on the webpage to inform you of the tool’s value. There is no remuneration for participating.

SURVEY

Royal Path of Human Flourishing for Effective Strategy Execution

For any additional information or questions, please contact Hester Nienaber on hester@hesternienaber.com

Alternatively complete the contact form below.

Please note that I am an active researcher and may or may not respond to your e-mail immediately.

Please allow 7 days for e-mail responses. Thank you.

For any additional information or questions, please contact Hester Nienaber on hester@hesternienaber.com

Alternatively complete the contact form below.

Please note that I am an active researcher and may or may not respond to your e-mail immediately.

Please allow 7 days for e-mail responses. Thank you.

Doing business as McNeill Group Inc., Flagstaff, Arizona, USA