Leadership Insights

“If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane.” ― Robert Frost

The world seems to become more complex by the day and there seem to be more and more things we need to attend to in every sphere of our life. We get bombarded with information and things we feel we have to keep up with. Life can feel overwhelming. When we feel pressurized or overwhelmed, laughter is a powerful tool to shift ourselves and others. Clean laughter can dispel stress, tension and negativity. It is a breeze of cool air in the heat and a breeze of warmth in the cold.
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“A tree that grows by the river bank does not suffer the effects of drought.” Ghanaian proverb

Knowing our purpose in life makes all the difference. Without a purpose we do not know what we are here for, what life is all about and why we are drudging through the tread mill of every day.

As a little child I used to look out of the window of my room and see our neighbour washing his car. Our neighbour was particularly fond of cars, exchanged his car frequently and washed it almost daily. One day, as I was watching him, it hit me: Is life all about this? What else is there?
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Many of us become successful in our professions because we are good at providing answers and solutions. We develop an answer and solutions focussed mindset that helps us dealing with challenges, managing crisis and helping others out when they need advise. Being able to analyse a situation or issue and finding a solution is indeed an essential competence. However, as we get better and better at providing answers we may forget asking questions before we start generating solutions. This can lead to a lack of learning and inquiry. read more…

“The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes did not have tears” African proverb

For excellence in performance emotional competencies are twice as important as intellect and expertise. Two out of three competencies required by organisations worldwide for its workforce are emotional competencies. (Goleman, 2004, Part 2, P. 31)

For leaders emotional competencies are even more essential. “At the top executive levels, everyone needs cognitive skills, to a certain extent, but being better at them does not make a star leader. Rather, emotional competence makes the crucial difference between mediocre leaders and the best.” (Goleman, 2004, Part 2, P. 34). In a wide ranging study 90% of the success in leadership of star performers was due to emotional intelligence. read more…

“Listen or your tongue will make you deaf.“ Native American Proverb

Recently when I went to the doctor, out of about 10 minutes the doctor was speaking 9 minutes. She gave me less than half a minute to explain my issue, then interrupted me and showered a litany of explanations on me. I had not finished explaining myself and when I wanted to ask questions about her proposed treatment, she immediately assumed I was against it and became very agitated. I left the place feeling utterly unheard and overpowered. read more…

“Learn to trust what is happening. If there is silence, let it grow: something will emerge. If there is storm, let it rage; it will resolve into calm.” (The Tao of Leadership)

Many of us like to produce results and get things done. Often this is why we have come to be leaders or have moved into managerial positions. Producing results gives us a sense of satisfaction and achievement. That is, after all, what we get paid for and what we are there to do! read more…