Building the Future: A Conversation with Lichelle Neethling
"An empowered woman is someone who believes in herself! You don’t need anyone or anything more than to have confidence in your own abilities – ultimately, this is the catalyst to reaching your goals."
Lichelle is a Director at RLB, having joined the company in 2017 to lead the Stellenbosch office. With 15 years’ experience in quantity surveying, she brings expertise across project viabilities, estimating, contract administration, cost planning and cost control, with experience spanning all sectors of the built environment. Her particular focus includes residential, commercial, hotel & leisure, and infrastructure projects. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Quantity Surveying from the University of the Free State.
For Lichelle, delivering a high-quality client experience is an essential part of every project. Her approach to both her work and leadership is grounded in a belief she returns to often: growth isn't linear, and resilience – the ability to recover from setbacks quickly – matters more than almost any other skill in this industry.
What does this year's theme, "Empowered Women Empower The Nation," mean to you?
Women who are empowered to lead can have a transformative ripple effect on an inner circle, families, communities and reach an entire nation.
What has been the biggest lesson you've learnt as a leader?
Growth is not linear: accept the setback, learn the lesson and move forward with an indomitable spirit – do this with consistency.
How do you empower those around you, whether through mentoring, leadership or creating opportunities for others?
It is important to me to be mindful of each individual’s goals within the office environment. Creating opportunities for those around me is something I truly thrive on. As always, leading by example sets a standard that inspires and encourages the people around you.
Construction and the built environment have traditionally been male-dominated industries. Have your experiences shaped your approach to leadership?
Yes, without a doubt. The worst thing a woman can do is try to be a man. We bring different perspectives to the table, and I have embraced that throughout my career, especially in my role as a leader.
Outside of work, what keeps you inspired or motivated?
Outside of work, my family keeps me inspired and motivated. I’m incredibly lucky to have a father who was a successful QS back in the day, and he has been my sounding board since the day I pursued a career in this industry. I love sharing my thoughts with him – he still has some sound advice after all these years.
What advice would you give your younger self at the start of your career?
A resilience mindset is the most important mental skill you will ever need in this industry. To be able to recover from setbacks in the shortest possible time will put you miles ahead of your peers.
If there is one thing you would like clients and colleagues to know about RLB, what would it be?
The one RLB ethos is the guiding principle of every decision made at senior management level. Every director and shareholder around the table truly cares about the wellbeing of our people.
What do you enjoy most about your role at RLB?
I absolutely love connecting with new people and how lucky are we to get to do this on every single project. New clients, new consultants, new employees – it brings me so much joy and it is such a privilege.
As a mother, what do you hope your children learn from watching your career?
Everything has a price – there is a trade-off for every decision you make in life.
How has becoming a parent influenced your perspective on leadership or success, if at all?
My perspective on success has changed tremendously since becoming a mother. Nothing is more valuable than quality time.
- Coffee or tea? Coffee, 100%!
- Beach or bush? Bush
- Best career advice? You get what you give, always.
- Hidden talent? I naturally pick up on people’s emotions and habits – I’m incredibly attentive to non-verbal cues and behavioural patterns.
- A quote you live by? Qué será será – translates to “what will be, will be”. There is profound strength in surrendering to faith.
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