Octavia Hendricks - Mentorship Is Leadership in Action

"Mentorship is not an accessory to leadership, it is leadership in action. It's a practice of amplifying potential, building bridges, and ensuring that growth is not solitary but shared."

Octavia Hendricks is the CEO and Chief Inspiration Officer of Osun Rise Group (Pty) Ltd, a regenerative experiences company offering transformational coaching, leadership retreats, and consciousness-centered consulting. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, she also serves as Client Engagement Director at Thulani Consulting, where she works with global leaders and organizations to elevate team effectiveness and visionary strategy. At the core of her work is helping leaders and communities align prosperity with purpose. She is a mentor and a mentee for the Climate Bridges Be One Mentorship Program.

The Living Exchange of Wisdom

Octavia joined Climate Bridges as both mentor and mentee, motivated by the understanding that "Mentorship is not a one-directional transfer of knowledge but a living exchange of wisdom."

"I wanted to be in a space where I could both give and receive, where growth was reciprocal."

Her approach reflects the interconnected nature of climate leadership itself: "Climate leadership, in particular, requires us to learn across generations, geographies, and disciplines, and this program offered that bridge."

What made her mentorship relationships feel truly special was "the depth of authentic connection. We were not merely exchanging professional advice; we were sharing lived experiences, challenges, and visions for the future. What made it different was the humanity, the willingness to show up vulnerably, and the courage to listen deeply."

The Shift from Answers to Questions

Octavia experienced a pivotal moment that transformed her approach to leadership: "There was a moment when I realized that mentorship is less about having the 'right answers' and more about asking the catalytic questions that unlock new ways of seeing. That shift, from advice-giving to insight-evoking, transformed the way I now hold space, not just as a mentor, but as a coach and leader."

The qualities that created the biggest impact? "Curiosity and generosity. The curiosity to explore beyond the obvious, and the generosity to share time, wisdom, and encouragement without holding back. These two qualities created an atmosphere where real growth could happen."

Mentorship as Strategic Investment in the Future

Through Climate Bridges, Octavia deepened her conviction about mentorship's essential role: "This program deepened my conviction that mentorship is one of the most strategic investments we can make in shaping a regenerative future."

For those considering joining the program, her message is both practical and inspiring: "Step in wholeheartedly. Don't approach mentorship as a checklist activity, approach it as a transformational journey. Be willing to give, to receive, and to be changed by the process. The impact goes far beyond the duration of the program; it becomes part of who you are as a leader and as a human being."

Recommended Resource

For leaders seeking alignment between purpose and impact, Octavia recommends "The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership" by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Warner Klemp: "It's a powerful guide to living and leading from full presence, responsibility, and alignment, principles I embody and encourage in my own work."

Leadership in Action

Thank you, Octavia, for showing how climate leadership flourishes when we approach mentorship as a living exchange that transforms both mentor and mentee.

Ready to experience mentorship as leadership in action? Octavia's story demonstrates that the most powerful climate solutions emerge when we bridge generations, geographies, and disciplines through authentic connection. Join Climate Bridges Be One Mentorship Program and discover how your unique perspective can help shape a regenerative future.