A founding partner of TomorrowToday, Keith has 20 years of local and global experience presenting to multi-cultural audiences in South Africa, Russia, China, Japan, South America and Australia across multiple industries at both an executive and senior leadership level. His focus is primarily on leadership in a changing world. He unveils what shifts will be required of leaders and organisations in both their thinking and practice when it comes to leadership. Allied to this focus area are future trends and disruption, diversity and bringing out the best in those you lead. Keith has formally studied leadership teams in organisational change and is a published author.
The Difference Between Good And Great | The poet Robert Frost, in his poem ‘Two tramps in Mud Time’ wrote:
My object in living is to unite, My avocation and my vocation, As my two eyes make one in sight. Only where love and need are one, And the work is play for mortal stakes, Is the deed ever really done For Heaven and the future’s sake. For me, herein sits the answer. It is when people understand what they do as part of their own life purpose.
A Key Talent | I think a ‘strength’…more so an ‘awareness’ – has been to understand the importance of intentionally developing EQ. This means seeking out mentors, soliciting feedback, reflection and a host of actions and activities than, over time, becomes entrenched habits. Habits that then sustain growth and fuel curiosity. Step-by-step DIY? Well start with shaping a list of great questions to ask both yourself and others. Find ‘the others’ to ask. Ask them.
Questions such as:
- What is it I need to learn next?
- What might I need to unlearn / relearn?
- When last did I receive feedback that I didn’t like?
- Where is the place of my deepest learning?
- What are the questions I should be asking but aren’t?
- What don’t I want to lose?
- Has my life brought joy to others?
- Who am I trying to please?
- What defines me?
- What are the mirrors I am looking into?
P.S. The best framework that I have found for doing this important work (of self-awareness) is that of the Enneagram.
Lessons I Have Learnt | I once asked a mentor of mind, Dr Dallas Willard, what was the ‘best advice’ he could offer me. I have never forgotten his response: he replied, “Never worry about the size of the stage in life that you feel called to perform on; worry more that you have something worthwhile to say”. His insight and wisdom has served as a ‘true north’ ever since. Leadership is more about the character ethic than it is about a set of skills and ability.
On Inspiring Others | Practice and live ‘Invitational leadership’ (IL). IL is built on three assumptions and a ‘therefore’: There is a best in everyone; everyone has a valid contribution to make; and everyone would rather make that contribution than not; Therefore, the role of the leader in to create an environment that invites the best out of everyone.
Advice On Building Wealth | Advice? I would rather pose several questions:
- Are you really sure that this is what you want?
- Why is wealth / riches so important to you?
- What might be the cost of accumulating wealth?
- What do you understand by wealth?
- How will you know when ‘enough is enough’?
- How will you keep perspective along this quest?
- How will you ‘give’ as you ‘get’?
