http://www.graphicmail.co.za/ All the newsletters of : New Era Leadership en-us Tue, 9 Mar 2010 2:9:18 CST Tue, 9 Mar 2010 2:9:18 CST graphicmail.co.za http://www.graphicmail.co.za/Archive/Default.aspx?Mode=2&s=14120&n=152375 Dr Gerhard van Rensburg It is not as if we should not do it daily, but the beginning of a new year presents us with the opportunity to think longer term and ask ourselves: How do I want to live the next year? How should I set my radar? How should my thinking change? What is it that I should do differently to be able to say at the end of the year: ‘I am a better person than who I was in the beginning of the year’; ‘I have grown in love, peace, faith, ability and living a healthy, balanced life’? Tue, 9 Mar 2010 2:1:57 CST Business http://www.graphicmail.co.za/Archive/Default.aspx?Mode=2&s=14120&n=157386 Dr Gerhard van Rensburg You are free to lead. The only question is: do you believe in what you do? In Godin’s words: It turns out that belief happens to be a brilliant strategy. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 2:0:26 CST Business http://www.graphicmail.co.za/Archive/Default.aspx?Mode=2&s=14120&n=142792 Dr Gerhard van Rensburg The more we hear disappointing news about poor or no service delivery, incompetence, lack of urgency and commitment, corruption and greed, or experience it ourselves, the more we ask: why can’t there be better, more responsible and competent leaders? For a moment we might even think … like ourselves. Are our expectations of a better and more just world for all realistic? Are we guilty of imagining that somehow, somewhere, there is a reservoir of good leaders ready to take over where others are failing? Why would the replacements be different? ‘Being different’ is indeed key to effective leadership and a legitimate expectation of leaders. Where does the difference need to be? Tue, 9 Mar 2010 2:9:18 CST Business http://www.graphicmail.co.za/Archive/Default.aspx?Mode=2&s=14120&n=137753 Dr Gerhard van Rensburg Our fears are as much, if not more, part of who we are as our joys – even though we talk much easier about our joys than our fears. What do we fear? The most common answer to this question is ‘failure’. Well, failure in what sense? I believe that the fear we have for failure is more specifically the fear to be seen as failure. If I am all on my own and set myself the goal to climb to the top of a high mountain I might be concerned that perhaps I will not make it, but not fearful. However, if I am in a group of people the fear of being seen as a failure if I do not make it will be real. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 2:7:52 CST Business http://www.graphicmail.co.za/Archive/Default.aspx?Mode=2&s=14120&n=143973 Dr Gerhard van Rensburg So much of the quality of our lives depends on our mind-set. ‘Quality’ as opposed to ‘quantity’ is, if you think about it, what inspires us and what we should aim for. Does the number of years we live have any meaning, or does the way we live have meaning? Does the amount of money in our bank account have any meaning, or is it what we do with it that can have meaning? Is it the number of our travels or adventures or is it the quality of our experiences and learning that has meaning? Is it the number of relationships we are in or the quality of those relationships that have meaning? Tue, 9 Mar 2010 2:4:40 CST Business http://www.graphicmail.co.za/Archive/Default.aspx?Mode=2&s=14120&n=163781 Dr Gerhard van Rensburg People are drawn by anything that has the appearance of success. And most people believe that the higher up on the ladder of visible achievements, of wealth and popularity you are, the more ideal it is. It is reflected in the vision statements of many companies. The appearance of success easily becomes the overriding concern: as long as money is made no-one will ask uncomfortable questions about how it is made... Tue, 9 Mar 2010 1:58:20 CST Business