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Reputation Specialist | Workshop Facilitator | Author
"Just as you build a muscular structure, working at it a little bit each day, so too you need to build a neural structure, doing a little bit of work every day," is what Barbara Oakley says in this video and also shares two interesting examples employed by Salvador Dali and Thomas Edison.
It's fantastic to read a book that grips you from page 1. I managed to finish the book in less than a week. The key message for me from this book is stick to the plan.
As I read the book, I was wondering why I had not heard about this expedition previously, it really was quite something;, the first South African team to summit Mount Everest and it being one of the most tragic expeditions to date. Then I realised that it took place in 1996; that was the year my cousin and I took our gap year in London, so I was not too focussed on South African news.
It's beautifully written; that is what I love about journalists writing books, they truly have quite a gift of telling a story. Thank you Patrick for sharing your story.
When I met Patrick a couple of months back he mentioned that he does a talk linking his experience to reputation management, I am very keen to hear it.
The September 2017 Leadership Magazine is out, my latest article is on page 100 and 101
Valuing Internal Dialogue
One of my favourite quotes regarding employees is still that of an American oil-well fire fighter, Red Adair who hit the nail on the head when he said, “If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.” How do you turn your business into a professional company that clients invest in, instead of hiring family or friends fresh out of varsity?
When speaking at a conference recently, about the importance of having a social media policy, I bumped into Guy Parton. He is the Founder and Director of Hippocampus, the “Design-Gineers” who solve problems using the science of creativity. We chatted about the topic and he put it very succinctly, you wouldn’t have a family member represent your company in front of a jam-packed auditorium, so why get them to represent you on social media where the audience is even bigger?
Don’t get me wrong, I love working with young people and giving them an opportunity to gain experience and cut their teeth in the research and reputation industry. It’s an absolute thrill to challenge them to do something new and to see how they tackle it and grow from the experience. What is important is getting the right fit, having a rigorous interview process as well as encouraging a culture of learning and continuous growth. We are always looking for ways to improve and for talented individuals to join our team. Robin Sharma, author and leadership speaker, says that you can’t have an A-level company with C-level performers. Everyone on our team is driven and ambitious with a track record of being an A-player. To add someone to the mix that is lacklustre just does not work. Finding these A-players is quite a process, however really worth the journey.
Apart from cementing down your key values and encouraging continuous training and learning, the third key element that is vital to building your company’s culture is communication. Engaging with employees may be more challenging than ever before. For the first time in the history of the business world we have at least three generations that are all working together, the Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y (also known as Millennials). All these groups require different ways in which to be engaged with. Navigating through these different characteristics, values, and attitudes toward work, based on each generation’s life experiences can become a bit like walking through a mine field. Getting it right and aligning your key messages internally is intrinsic to building a solid reputation.
Different communication strategies are vital to successfully integrate the multigenerational work force. Why is this important for your reputation?
Employees play a vital role in the reputation of an organisation. Very often this is where the reputation of an organisation starts, as their daily perceptions and interactions become the reality for external stakeholders.
In addition to taking an inside-out approach to aligning internal beliefs and behaviours to external perceptions, organisations need to understand that the way in which they communicate with a Baby Boomer, is quite different to that of a Millennial. It is important to note that there is no right or wrong way of communicating, it’s about being able to adapt to what is most effective.
The key is to take advantage of the differences in values and expectations of each generation. While it is important not to follow blanket stereotypes, it does, however, help to have a broad overview of each generation. This will help with understanding and tolerating each other.
Baby Boomers,born between 1943 and 1960 prefer direct interaction be it in a meeting, strategy session or phone call as means of communicating.
Generation X, born between 1965 and 1977 really don’t enjoy networking. They are generally the first people to take out their laptops at a meeting, using it as a shield between them and other people. This generation naturally questions authority figures and are responsible for creating the work/life balance concept. Send them a text or email so that they can respond when it fits into their timetable, this speaks to their quest and need for work/life balance.
Generation Y or Millennials, born between 1980 and 2000, are the technology whiz kids who always ask ‘why?’ They are a lot more socially conscious and generally don’t mind engaging and doing things if the ‘why’ is explained to them. They are among the most resilient in navigating change while deepening their appreciation for diversity and inclusion.They prefer to communicate through platforms such as email, Instant Messaging (IM), blogs and text messages, rather than over the phone or face to face.
Did you know that there is a new definition to the above list? "Boomerangs" lend influence. This is the label for baby boomers who retire and then go back to work for their same firm part-time, maybe just a day a week. In this way, they impart their knowledge and mentor the new generations coming through the doors by sharing from their wealth of experience.
When it comes to improving your internal communication, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, what is needed is flexibility and an understanding of how best to get your message across. It’s also about tolerance for each other and upskilling the team in new ways of communicating, helping them to understand each other. That’s why I always return to the importance of research; you may think that your team prefers to communicate in one way, but if you don’t ask you won’t know. It might really be worth doing a quick poll to find out what employees’ communication preferences are and how often you should communicate, it’s all about finding that happy median.
To wrap up, keep in mind that the workforce currently consists of different generations with whom you need to communicate. Align your communication to the overall business values and objectives using the most appropriate channels of communication per generation. Facilitate mentoring between employees of different ages to encourage more understanding and multigenerational engagement. Employees like to have a voice and to be heard; so facilitate opportunities for feedback through different forums.
Now that you’ve figured out what communication style and frequency your employees prefer, it’s also important to get to understand your other stakeholders’ preferences too.
After the rather emotional book of Winnie Mandela’s life
story, I opted for Pieter-Dirk Uys’ “Between the Devil and the Deep,” what I
thought would a lighter read. To be honest, I only really know him as Evita Bezuidenhoudt. I had bought the book earlier this year when a group of us visited Darling to
enjoy one of her shows at The Perron.
Compared to Winnie’s book, definitely not as heavy; however, not a light
hearted or frivolous read either. It gave a poignant view from the ‘other side’,
the white side, during the apartheid time and the pressures he was faced with
being an activist and strongly speaking out, and acting against the government.
He has a magical way of writing and describing things. It’s a mixture of a biography and his
different plays and personas. A very enjoyable read, I am keen to read his other books too.
Earlier this week I attended the SMME Opportunity Roadshow that took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). A plethora of different speakers shared their knowledge and experiences.
I particularly enjoyed Sihle Tshabalala, Co-Founder and CEO of Quircky 30 NPC and Quircky Innovations (Pty) Ltd's keynote address. Here's why:
Tshabalala enthralled the delegates and had them hanging on his lips with his quick wit as he shared his incredible entrepreneurship story. Tshabalala, a convicted felon served eleven years in prison for business robberies and heists. As an incredibly intelligent youngster, having started school at four and matriculated at the age of 16, he had no ambition to further his studies. He got involved in the wrong crowd and so was drawn into the life of crime. His entrepreneurial journey started when he was in prison, where he sold marijuana! He had quite a sophisticated supply chain he explains and said that he never ate any prison food, he lived off a diet of Nandos and KFC. He says, tongue in cheek, that our prisons are full of entrepreneurs. Criminals have a natural talent for hustling, courage to take risks and they know how to network. They have just chosen the wrong product...crime. When he was released from prison he taught himself three different computer languages in six weeks! Today he trains youngsters who have dropped out of schools, single moms and others who have no means to further their education how to code. Tshabalala is now a thriving businessman on the right side of the law.
What an incredible week. Usually the last week of the month is riddled with admin and reporting, somehow I managed to dodge it this week. [I know it's waiting for me in the wings, and will sneak up on me soon!]
This blog might explain why I've been a bit slower (more than normal) with replying to all my emails...
It's been quite a MAD week to be honest. This morning I learnt that MAD stands for: Make A Difference. I think we all often go through periods that you wonder to yourself 'what is the purpose of it all?' I do admit that I do still need to figure it out.
This week however, I had amazing interactions with incredible people and I am in awe of what they do, what they have achieved and how they are making a difference in people's lives.
Monday: I gently eased into the week after having spent the first weekend away in ages with my better half, Mark, and Bella our Weimaraner in the beautiful Wellington area; a much needed break for us all.
Tuesday: As August is Women's month, Robben Island Museum (RIM) hosted "Celebrating Women in Heritage". The purpose of the day was to provide an opportunity for women to share their personal reflections of their time during the liberation struggle. I had recently finished reading Winnie Mandela's biography, so was keen hear and learn more. It was an incredible experience to then, after the formalities and reflections were shared, to visit the prison with these ladies who had visited their brothers / fathers / husbands on this very island during that time. What the women had to endure is just unimaginable. While their husbands were in jail, they still had to juggle raising families and working; some had to endure house arrest (which meant that you couldn't be in the same room with more than one person at a time). Inhumane.
Sisters / daughters / wives, were only allowed to visit the inmate for 30 minutes every six months after putting in a comprehensive application. If you missed the ferry, you would have to wait another six months. The ferry left the main land at 08:00, the visit took place at about 11:00, then they had to wait around on the island until 16:00.
We were listening to a tour guide, an ex-political prisoner, give the prison guide. I'm sitting on the bottom of one of the bunk beds that they slept on in this room. I sat next to a fascinating lady who shared her own prison story; she was incarcerated in the Durban prison during that time for a number of months for no real reason.
One particular conversation of the day stayed with me. The topic was also something that came up in Winnie's book. Many of these prisoners and activists gave their lives to the freedom of our country, they were tortured, physically and mentally, not for a day, not for a week or a month, but for years. Many of the prisoners, especially those confined to solitary confinement suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and have never received any type of counselling afterwards on how to deal with what they had gone through.
I am in awe of the strength of these women, their strength now continues as they support their husbands through quite tough times of coming to grips with it all. Yes, we have been in a democracy, thankfully, for 23 years; unfortunately there isn't a magic wand that will just fix it all overnight. There was a television crew that joined, they were asking what heritage means to the different people that attended the day. I battled to answer the question to myself; our heritage is pretty messed up.
I think that one of the things that have kept these women going is their incredible sense of humour and wit. My friend the Laughing Coach, Bronwyn Kilroe, will attest to the power and benefits of laughing. I am incredibly grateful to have been apart of such a poignant day.
Wednesday woke up to our client Zip Zap Circus being on the front page of The Times! My team absolutely rocks!
Zip Zap Circus celebrating 25 years in collaboration with The Parlotones. Front page, The Times, 30 August 2017
My agenda for the the day was attending the 2017 Global Women's LiNC Leadership Conference. This was the first time it was hosted in South Africa. Initially I had planned to be in Gauteng for the session, I think it would have been an amazing networking opportunity. With the week's schedule as choc-a-block as it was, it would not have been practical. Fortunately and impressively, they had virtual attendance link ups including Atlanta, USA and Cape Town. I was super happy to attend the conference via Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages in Parow, so that was where I was based for the day.
The speakers were incredibly inspirational. Very interesting stats on gender was shared (#BainOnGender); we have so many highly educated women in South Africa, yet less than 3% of the CEOs of listed companies are women. Why is that? One of the main differences is that men just go for things and wing it and learn as they go along, whereas woman almost always, over analyses and checks everything that she does and makes sure that she has the qualifications and experience before going for something. One of the key learnings from this speaker was the importance of proactive learning, composing a thriving plan and having an incredible crew.
A fabulous video was shared on women and confidence, is the importance of empowering our girls from a young age: #LikeAGirl:
In the afternoon there was a panel discussion with female leaders from Coca-Cola, Woolworths and McDonalds. They had incredible advise, there were four things I resonated particularly with what Zyda Rylands CEO of Woolworths said:
1. Don't try and be someone else, which was incidentally a conversation Mark and I had had earlier in the week;
2. Don't ask your boss where they see you in a few years time, you need to figure that our for yourself and go for it;
3. Suffer the pain of sacrifice or suffer the pain of regret; sacrifice is short term with many long term benefits;
4. Put in the time, what you put in is what you get out; if your outputs are greater for not doing much, it's probably illegal.
What struck me again was the amazing sense of humour shared by everyone during the day.
In the evening I attended the magical evening of Zip Zap Circus celebrating their 25 years with The Parlotones. Two incredibly good friends joined me; they are going through a rough time at the moment and I am just in awe of the support and love they are showing each other and the importance of just taking one day at a time.
The show was absolutely spectacular. From the opening song, "Life Design," I just new we were in for something special. What an apt song to open up with, "...this is our story, this is our life design," I always feel rather emotional watching the Zip Zap team, it is just so inspiring to watch them and to be reminded that these youngsters have really had quite a tough start to their lives. Founders Laurence and Brent are amazing. They teach the youngsters to 'dare to dream' and to make those dreams reality! Was super excited to see my favourite juggler Jason. Attending a Zip Zap Circus production must be on everyone body's bucket list.
Jason the amazing juggler showing off his incredible skills! He was our opening act at our Reputation Management Conference in 2015
Thursday I managed to catch my breath a bit, I did start reading 'Everest Untold' by Patrick Conroy, it's not often that a book captivates me from the first page and I really battled to put it down. [I read for 30 minutes each morning, this forms part of the normal daily routine]. Later in the morning I had an Institute of Directors in Southern Africa (IoDSA) Western Cape advisory meeting. Am incredibly grateful for being invited to join. We've have recently completed the third reputation measurement study for them. They are just doing things right, it is so encouraging when leaders see the value of research and embrace the feedback to see how they can continually improve an organisation and take it to the next level. Very exciting initiatives are planned for the rest of the year.
Friday The week was ended off at Steenberg High School in Retreat. Headed out to the school super early; I wanted to take a few photos of the learners in their new music and art centre for the media. When we share photos with the media we need to be so mindful of the pics that get shared especially of children. Again, I was so touched to see these youngsters master their instruments, I was listening to them warm up and so impressed how they took control of their respective musical instruments.
I then headed to the sports field. The Rotary Club of Newlands in conjunction with Greenpop, planted 30 trees along the perimeter of the field. Greenpop's approach is great, they prepared and dug the initial 30 holes, they then to taught everyone how to go about planting a tree. I will admit that I did not plant a tree, I was the dedicated photographer for the morning. There are more photos on www.facebook.com/newlandsrotary.
At 11:00 we all headed to the new Music and Art Centre. Was wonderful to see the rest of the Reputation Matters team, because we all work from a virtual office we don't see each other all that often. Even though I don't get to see them that often, they inspire me daily!
The Music and Art Centre was sponsored by Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Newlands. Talk about synchronicity, the school is on the corner of Symphonia Avenue and Orchestra Street! One of the stories that was relayed, was of a one of the girls in the group who was the girlfriend of a gang leader; her school marks dropped and she was close to dropping out of school. When she joined the music group something lighted up in her. She started dedicating her time to the music and no longer had time for the gang. Her academic performance also improved so much so that she later became a prefect.
As mentioned, there was a television crew that joined the Robben Island visit earlier this week, asking about heritage and I battled to answer the question. I do feel rather despondent about the past; our heritage is pretty messed up and dismal. However...after this week, I have been reminded by the amazing people that make up this beautiful country, there is so much potential and hope. At a recent workshop I facilitated (two weeks ago), the Vice Chancellor said, "let's make today better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today."We can't forget or ignore where we came from, what we can and must do is learn from the past and look forward and improve each day and make adifference going forward.
