Cultivate ‘the human touch’ to be an outstanding leader

Think of a leader who inspired you, someone you admired and respected. What was it that made them a role model for you? Chances are they had ‘the human touch.’ They connected with you, took an interest in you, your life and your aims. In my case, I experienced a couple of leaders who believed … Read more

How leaders embrace mistakes and create a culture of growth

Herbie Hancock, is an iconic figure in the world of jazz, renowned for his talent as a pianist, composer, and bandleader. He tells a story about playing a live performance with legendary trumpet virtuoso Miles Davis. Right in the middle of Miles’ amazing solo, Herbie played the wrong chord. It sounded like a big mistake … Read more

Why you need to prioritise a development plan in 2024

When my mother was a young girl, a well-meaning relative threw her into deep water to teach her to swim. Instead, she nearly drowned. She had a lifelong fear of the water and swimming because of the experience. It was common practice decades ago to throw children in the deep end. They’ll sink or swim, … Read more

Gratitude; an antidote for end-of-year madness

End-of-year madness is upon us. It’s that time of the year, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, when we go on a long break. We want to tick all the things off the list that we didn’t have time for all year, before we go on holiday. It seems like there is so much to wrap … Read more

The impact of mentors: A two-way street for leadership development

When Karen reflects on her three-decade-long career, she recognises a common thread woven through her success story: the unwavering support and belief of mentors who guided her journey. Like most of us, Karen had people who believed in her at key points in her career, more than she believed in herself at that time. A … Read more