The BIG Question – Who am I???

This morning, I write from a small town called Bela-Bela. While pondering what to write about, The BIG question popped up in my mind again. The question so few people ever ask themselves and hardly ever get to answer.

“WHO AM I?”…..

If you are brave enough to contemplate this question, what might your answer be? Take ten minutes and have a quick stab at it…

The most common mistake people make when attempting to answer this question is to list characteristics, roles they play in life, age, religious beliefs, etc.

After I ask them to delete a long list of adjectives they use to describe themselves they appear to be lost, get deeply worried and may even have a very restless night.

All this for a very good reason. How can we be blessed with life and not know who we are at such a very deep level…Take a look around in nature – do you see trees, animals and birds wondering about this mystery or do they seem to just know and then stay in flow with creation?

Maybe it is because we fail to understand the depth of this question and also fail to grasp what/who we are that our behaviour as humans are so despicable. Maybe this is why we see things such as:

• Deforestation
• Greed
• Murder
• Pollution
• Hatred

If we really knew who we were, I bet that our outlook will change instantly for the better. Perhaps then we will be able to FLOW with creation and not against it.

My intent with this piece is not to give you the answer but to prompt you to think for yourself. The answers already lie within. We need stillness of mind, meditative and contemplative practices as well as a finely tuned intuitive awareness to hear the whispers of the universe nudging us in a particular direction.

I wish to close off with the following:

“Namaste.”

Meaning: The Divine in me sees the Divine in you!

Now is that not a thought well worth pondering?

Edwin 

 

Leadership365 is back

After many years of pure silence, I am finally back!

This time not to lament and to share my personal anger and disappointment with poor leadership BUT to contribute constructively to the science of Leadership.

This will be done by incorporating outstanding leaders and their ideas in a published work.

If you are an eminent leader and wish to contribute to a book we are working on, you are welcome to get in touch with us to contribute. Looking forward to engage with you shortly.

Best wishes

Dr Edwin Hawthorn

Pride of the Kruger…

I am watching you…

Every path leads to a destination…

The road less travelled…

Ten Best Leadership Practices

 

The following ten best leadership practices should assist any aspiring or current leader to become the best that you can be. Utilize the tips wisely and ponder each as a lot of thought and experience has gone into it…

1.  Know who you are.
2.  Determine your purpose in life.
3.  Education and skills development is the foundation. Sharpen your saw…
4.  Gain as much experience as possible in as many areas as possible.
5.  Take it slow. No fast tracking and no appointments because of potential.
6.  Enroll for a self-leadership course and implement for at least a year.
7.  Enroll for a fully fledged leadership development course. Management skills     should be in place at this time.
8.  Teach others and share what you have learnt.
9.  Practice a good measure of EQ and learn to laugh at yourself.
10.  Remember to have lots of fun while living your life.

Lesson 109: The path to follow to become a good leader…

Swami Parthasarathy offered a message to aspirant leaders with regard to desired leadership practices in the Sunday Times on 26 June 2011. He offered the following advice to the youngsters:

 

• ·         The essence of leadership – A leader is a person you can look up to and follow
• ·         A powerful intellect – The ability to think freely and logically
• ·         An organisational ideal – This relates to the vision one should have for your organisation which should be followed with total commitment
• ·         Adequate knowledge – A leader should ensure that he/she has a thorough knowledge of  his subject area
• ·         Service and sacrifice – Doing what you ought to do without any personal motives
• ·         Lead the way – A leader must tread the path for others to follow
• ·         Delegate – You can’t do it all. Allow opportunities for others to shine as well
• ·         Accessibility – Create true human moments by being accessible to all
• ·         Identification and empathy – Identify with the feelings of colleagues and build rapport through empathy
• ·         Team effectiveness – Consistency, concentration and co-operation are the keys to keep in mind

 

I recently also read Freakonomics written by Levitt & Dubner. They related a story of a young researcher who infiltrated a crack selling gang. A lot of information was shared with regard to the gang leader, his leadership style, gang dynamics and the business concept. The amazing thing is that most, if not all of the characteristics mentioned by the Swami and all the blog entries thus far, also apply to the gangs and people we call criminals.

 

What am I saying? Simply this; leadership principles are common practice and apply to all leaders in society, no matter what your intent or motivation.

 

Our learning: We need to take a fresh look at criminals and also learn from them. At times they set a better example in terms of loyalty, commitment, team work, dedication and results than our democratically elected leaders in society who act out of self-interest.

 

An Invitation to Excellence…

Who stands before thee? A collection of heart wrenching experiences…

When you get to work today and you have to deal with followers or other leaders, what do you see? Do you see people or do you see the collection of experiences they have had?

 

Unfortunately we do not deal with simple resources to accomplish a pre-determined ends when we talk about people. If only life was this easy!

 

We recently had the honour of facilitating a self-leadership development course and the lessons we were offered were huge and very valuable. Whenever we meet people we know that there is far more than meets the eye. People carry such a variety of pleasurable and painful experiences in their lives while doing this in absolute silence.

 

Breaking this silence is often the most liberating deed that anyone can ever dream to undertake. It takes great skill to help people to get to the point where they can safely share that which holds them captive in life. The change is absolutely remarkable! The day of sharing is very emotional and daunting for most but when you see them the following day and they glow anew with love and light, you know, the healing has started. What a blessing.

 

When you see people today, I would like to urge you to see the collection of experiences which makes that person. Is it possible that the person standing in front of you may have experienced any of the following?

• ·         An abusive spouse
• ·         Abusive parents stripping the child of its last bit of self-esteem
• ·         Multiple rapes
• ·         Teenage pregnancies
• ·         Being shot by another
• ·         Divorce
• ·         Rejection
• ·         Being abandoned and adopted
• ·         Drug abuse
• ·         Alcohol abuse

 

Such is life… and this is what we are made of…

 

Sometimes we look at people and we think that they have it all made. WOW! How wrong we are. Sometimes, most of the time, the people you think have all their stuff together don’t either. At times they too have to face very difficult circumstances and have to find the strength to stand and lead others while their own hearts are being torn to pieces. Can you imagine what they may be dealing with?

 

Our learning: Full appreciation and empathy for the person trying to do their best when at times life can seem too much to deal with. Know that we do not know. Learn to give people the benefit of the doubt and get to know the people with all sincerity and being an example of vulnerability yourself. Being a leader has never been easy and perhaps the child or adult you have to work with is not being difficult but perhaps is finding the experiences just too daunting to even think of…

“Will the real problem please stand!”

Dear leader, your real problem is not always the people working for you but rather their marriage, relationships, family, children, in-laws, spending habits, etc.

 

This reality will put your skills to the test whether you like it not, whether you have the skills or not.

 

How true. You didn’t ask for it but if you recently accepted the role of leader in an organization, you will soon find out that you also received the title of personal counselor for your staff. They will inevitably knock on your door for some advice or guidance. This is providing that you are accessible of course. It is however not an option for you to opt out of this role by becoming the most miserable person on earth who is feared and avoided by all.

 

My suggestion to you is to accept this role sooner rather than later. If you lack the skills to do so it would be advisable to consider a short course in counseling.

 

Whatever you do; DO NOT PANIC!

 

Some tips and advice to consider as you step into the unknown:

 

• ·         You are not a qualified councilor and not expected to be.
• ·         Always listen with intention and attention.
• ·         Ask hard and challenging questions. A wise counselor will guide others with the right questions to make personal discoveries and not provide the answers for them.
• ·         Remember, the real story is the untold story. People are like onions, layer upon layer.
• ·         Consider appointing a life-coach to assist you with such matters.
• ·         Happy staff members are productive staff members.

 

Remember when you had to discuss a problem with someone? Who did you choose to share it with? Why did you choose that individual? What made it a successful coaching experience? Reflect and apply your experience and personal knowledge.

 

Our learning: Being a leader takes more than just focusing on results. Know your tools, value your staff and they will bring you success.