By Maria Mothibedi, Head of Operations: SPM
06:45 – Morning Drive
My day actually starts with the drive to the office. It’s my little pocket of quiet before the day truly begins. I use that time to mentally map out what’s ahead, listen to the radio, or sometimes just enjoy the silence (rare, but golden when driving through early morning traffic).
It’s when I prepare myself for whatever the day throws at me and remind myself to breathe.
08:30 – Morning Briefs, Catch-Ups & Controlled Chaos
Once at my desk, I dive into emails and calendar checks with my first cup of coffee—strong, no distractions. This early quiet helps me focus before the day gets busy.
The truth is, Operations isn’t glamorous. But it is vital. I make sure projects move, timelines hold, suppliers deliver, and everyone has what they need—sometimes before they know they need it.
Operations is about listening, anticipating, and helping people stay one step ahead. A lot of my work happens through quiet check-ins and supportive nudges that keep things flowing without drama.
You learn quickly that being organised isn’t enough. You also need to be approachable, especially when things start slipping.
Sometimes, my work takes me to sites. Walking the grounds, chatting with suppliers and teams, seeing projects come to life—it’s where the details really matter. Being there gives me the real insight I need to make better decisions back at the office.
11:00 – Meetings, Memes, and Managing the Mayhem
Late morning is peak activity. I’ll bounce between team check-ins, tracking spreadsheets, and making sure nobody forgot to book the boardroom again. I do this all while maintaining a calm face and an internal monologue that occasionally includes, “We spoke about this last week…”
There’s usually a moment where something unexpected happens, a miscommunication, a last-minute change, or a small fire that needs putting out (figurative, not literal… usually). I deal with it, make a note, and keep going.
13:00 – Lunch? Technically.
Lunch is… a suggestion. If I manage to eat without being interrupted by an “urgent” WhatsApp, it’s a win. Sometimes I eat at my desk. Sometimes I forget to eat and then wonder why I’m emotional by 15:00.
15:00 – Smoothing the Path
I love this part of the day. There’s something satisfying about closing loops, checking things off, and seeing the dots connect. I review vendor updates, sign off on requests, and try to solve small things before they grow teeth.
Operations is the background hum of the business but when something goes wrong, trust me, it gets loud. My job is to keep things smooth and quiet, as much as humanly possible.
17:30 – The Laptop Closes, the Mind Does Not
I try to log off around 17:00. It doesn’t always happen. Sometimes I’m mentally replaying conversations while cooking dinner, or making mental notes about who needs a follow-up tomorrow. But I do believe in boundaries and I’ve learned that rest is part of the job.
Final Words:
I don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room. I just need to know everything’s running the way it should, on time, on budget, and with the occasional burst of laughter. That’s when I know we’re winning.