Clive de Lang

Clive de Lange’s leadership journey is defined by curiosity, resilience and an unwavering belief in growth. As sales director and shareholder of Modena Design Centres Durban, and co-founder and director of Progress One Group Proprietary Limited, he has helped steer businesses through periods of economic uncertainty while building teams that thrive on trust, clarity and purpose.

CREATIVE AND COMMERCIAL MINDSET

Growing up, Clive was drawn to both technical and creative pursuits. “I had two interests growing up, information technology (IT) and architecture. I have always been a generally artistic and creative person,” he says. When Clive left school, this blend of creativity and technology led him to study web page design through a local college, IT-IQ. Despite his enthusiasm, entering the workforce proved challenging. Full time opportunities in his chosen field were scarce at the time, forcing him to adapt. Clive took on part time private web design work while juggling various part time jobs to make ends meet.

These early years instilled a strong work ethic and adaptability that would later become central to his leadership style. His first full time role came at ACB South Africa, where he was employed in end user desktop support while also being responsible for building and servicing a customer base to meet monthly sales targets. The role was demanding, but transformative. “It was here that I learned to cold call and to be creative in sourcing business, while at the same time ensuring I provided customers with a level of service that saw them stay loyal to me,” he says. It was also the moment when he discovered his aptitude for sales. This realisation set Clive on a path that combined technical understanding with relationship building, a balance that remains central to his success today.

LEADERSHIP WITH PURPOSE

Today, Clive holds significant responsibility within Modena Design Centres Durban. He also plays a 

STAYING CONNECTED strategic role at Progress One Group. His focus is clear. “My responsibility is to develop and drive sustainable growth strategies in the ever changing and challenging industries of construction, process and manufacturing,” he explains

For Clive, leadership is not simply about numbers or market share. It is about sustainability, people and purpose. “One needs to remember the role and responsibilities as a sales director. It is about finding ways to keep a business sustainable and thriving,” he says. However, his personal motivation runs deeper. “My purpose, both personally and professionally, is to create an environment where people are provided with an opportunity to grow.”

He describes his leadership approach as rooted in coaching and empowerment. “I believe that my coaching mindset with my team is core to their success,” he says. This philosophy extends to the company’s broader mission. Modena works with businesses to implement digital technology layers that enhance performance and competitiveness. Clive explains, “Our customers trust us with implementing Autodesk design technologies and various other IT layers to help them gain an advantage in industry while improving their business results.”

One of his proudest achievements reflects both professional and personal growth. “My career has been one of overcoming loads of self-doubt and imposter syndrome,” he admits. Earning the trust of colleagues and partners stands out as a defining milestone. “My biggest accomplishment was winning the trust of others through hard work and determination and being appointed as a director and shareholder at Modena Durban."

He is equally proud of the people he has helped develop. “I have had a hand in developing young careers and a team that have produced incredible results over the years,” he says. “Growing Modena Durban through some really challenging economic climates and a crisis like Covid are things I am most proud of. None of which could have been achieved without the amazing support from my business partner Heather McDade and our dedicated and committed team.”

STAYING CONNECTED

One piece of advice has stayed with Clive throughout his career. While working at Sharp Electronics in Durban, he was mentored by the late Les Hansen for whom he had the deepest respect. “After accompanying me on a sales call he said something that shaped everything I believe in today. ‘Try to do less talking, and a lot more asking’,” Clive recalls. Although the comment initially stung, its wisdom soon became clear. “I believe to this day that we do not learn when we are talking, but when we are listening.” This lesson has influenced how he builds relationships, resolves conflict and leads teams. When faced with challenges, particularly during the Covid lockdown, listening and adaptability proved essential. “There was a lot of uncertainty in our team,” he says. Rather than retreat, the business embraced remote working and digital collaboration. “We focused on staying connected to people and adopted and embraced the culture of remote working.” The result was unexpected success. “That year was a defining year for us and up till then it was our best year ever.” According to Clive, motivating teams through conflict and obstacles requires clarity and fairness. “I believe that people want to feel heard and they want to see action,” he says. He is firm about eliminating ambiguity. “I have been in sales and business development for 25 years and I believe that grey areas are where discord and conflict grow.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Looking ahead, Clive is optimistic about KwaZulu Natal’s potential. “We have a country ripe with opportunity and potential and there are thousands of careers to be developed,” he says. His vision is clear. “In five years’ time we want to have galvanised our role in industry as the leaders in digital transformation for manufacturing and construction in KZN.” At the heart of everything is a simple motto. “Grow, Always,” he says. “I love working with people that want to grow and that are committed to growth. Both personally and professionally. It excites me and I believe a commitment to growth is what keeps us young.”