I recently returned from speaking in Cape Town, South Africa, at the invitation of the CFA SA. Even though South Africa is where I blew the whistle, it’s taken eighteen years to be invited back to share the lessons learnt from the LeisureNet disaster, aka "South Africa’s Enron". In comparison to [...]
1. Have you ever had a romantic crush on someone, believing them to be ‘the one’ but feeling too shy to tell them how you feel, you never confessed your love? Now you’re left wondering how your life might have shaped out if you had told this person how you [...]
How often have you laughed at a joke knowing that it belittles, stigmatises or prejudices others? Ever high-fived a friend or colleague when they’ve shared their ‘off-colour’, perhaps even illegal actions with you? Do you find it easier to describe yourself, and others in negative, rather than positive ways? Ever [...]
Imagine you are in a public bus. A teenager comes in and puts her shoes on the seat across from you. Her shoes are muddy, and the next person to sit on the seat will most likely get his/her clothes dirty. Would you say something to the teenager? Or imagine [...]
The effects of power on individuals is different from the effects of power on teams. While power may make individuals feel empowered and lead them to pursue their goals, power within teams may actually make people more focused on their dependencies and vulnerabilities towards one another [...]
I have been restless to expand my understanding of the areas in the brain that drive courageous action since returning from studying the Neuroscience and psychology of decision making at Stanford University Having won an eleven year war of attrition securing justice against corporate malfeasance, I acquired an assortment of [...]
"That would never happen in our organisation" is one of the push back narratives I hear when introducing myself and my services to decision making senior executives in organisations. Actually, it’s not even a narrative, it’s a defensive mantra and you know what happens with those - they evolve into blind-spots. I [...]
Just imagine: Your boss asks you to run a series of special training days for other employees. At first you feel rather flattered that your boss is considering you for this task. But you soon realise that there are costs involved: for one, you are expected to prepare for the [...]
True Story: One of the LeisureNet joint CEOs, Peter, summonsed the project accountant, “Tony”, a senior manager, into his office. In rapid and hushed tones, Peter briefed Tony in the corridor saying that he had the directors of our largest offshore investors, Capvest, on the phone. The Capvest directors were [...]
“Next time I come for a meeting with you make sure you’re braless” External Bank Manager “If you interrupt my meeting, you need to be punished and that means me ‘taking you’ on my desk” Followed by being picked up and laid across the desk. Sales and Marketing Director “You know [...]