A Day in the Life - Leren Valjee
Understand how Leren helps organisations create lasting change through leadership, capability building, and practical solutions.
Leren Valjee
Senior Manager, South Africa
“The best days are when progress shows up unannounced - in decisions, not updates.”
What does a typical day look like as a Senior Manager in the dss+ team?
It really depends on the project and client, but there is a rhythm to it.
A typical day is a mix of problem-solving with client teams, aligning senior stakeholders, and keeping the programme moving. One moment I’m in the detail, unpacking incidents or data to understand what’s really going on, and the next I’m stepping back to help leaders see the bigger picture.
A big part of the role is connecting dots - across functions, across operations, and between what we say we value and what actually happens on the ground.
Why did you choose a career in consulting?
I was drawn to the pace and variety, but I stayed because of the complexity and the people.
Consulting puts you in situations where there isn’t a clear answer. You’re working with experienced operators, real business constraints, and competing priorities. That challenge of figuring things out with clients, not for them, is what keeps it interesting.
Why did you join dss+?
What stood out for me was the combination of credibility and intent.
This isn’t a consulting firm that just talks strategy - we work in the field, with operations, where the impact is really felt. At the same time, there’s a genuine focus on building capability, not dependency - and that balance mattered to me.
What are you most proud of?
Seeing shifts that go beyond the programme itself.
When leaders start having different conversations, when teams challenge each other more openly, or when something changes because people took ownership - that’s when you know it’s landing. Those moments are small, but they add up to something meaningful.
What do our values mean to you?
It’s about how you show up day to day.
Being honest when things aren’t working, staying practical and grounded, but most importantly, respecting the people we work with – especially when you’re challenging them.
That’s where the values become real for me – in how you behave when it matters.