Leadership is not all about control. Nor is it all about democracy. Leaders are called upon in equal measure to hold the space for others in the group, and to give direction to the group. In other words, leaders both facilitate the emergence of leadership in their teams, and give guidance and direction to their teams. Put more bluntly, leaders hold empowerment in one hand [...]
This is about what changes as we go up the leadership ladder in organizations. I have found that the higher I go up the corporate ladder, the less detail I can control. It sometimes feels as if my control "budget" has shrunk, but the truth is that the number of things I can control has shrunk as their value has increased. I am now limited [...]
I’m just back from five nights alone in the hills of Retief’s Kloof in the Magaliesberg mountains near Johannesburg, South Africa. I feel deeply refreshed, energized and alive to new possibilities. There is something about alone time that burns off the fluff, helps get down to what is really important, and flushes out some of the chaotic complexities that lurk inside all of us. And [...]
You got to be a business leader by turning obstacles into opportunities, and exiting your business is another challenge you will succeed at. You might find the process takes you to new levels of emotional maturity. I'm sure you will find it harrowing and exhilarating at the same time. Create value, create a legacy Your business loses value when it loses you. However, the cool [...]
You've put your heart and soul into growing, building and fighting for this business for years now. Yet you realize it is time to go - soon. How separate are you and your business - really? If your business is a part of you, an expression of who you are in the world, almost like your flesh and blood offspring, then you are probably wondering [...]
Whenever there is great art, there is a piece of heaven - Surendra Shrestra, tabla player from Nepal For the past four years a small film crew has been traveling the world with recording equipment and cameras in search of inspiration. The film below is an example of their output - more than 35 musicians from at least four continents harmonising in an inspiring virtual [...]
Facing up to getting old often brings feelings of shrinking, ending, being over the hill. Finding energy flagging, body sagging, milestones behind rather than in front leaves the go-go-go energy in us freaking out. In many cultures, being “old” is enough to have you literally or metaphorically slung on the scrap heap. Yet there is no substitute for experience. Ability to see the big picture [...]
