In his statement to the governing party during the week, the Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene sketched a bleak picture in terms of the country's lower economic growth of 3% being the "new normal." His major concern is that there is a tendency by the government to focus the country's expenditure towards paying of increasing salaries…

- You clearly understand that failure is an event, not a person; that yesterday ended last night, and today is your brand-new day. - You have made friends with your past, are focused on the present, and optimistic about your future. - You know that success (a win) does not make you, and failure (a…

The tried and true is beyond reproach. It's been tried, and of course, it's true. True because it worked. In times of change, though, most of the tried is in fact, false. False because what used to work, doesn't, at least not any longer. Sure, it might be what you've always done. But that doesn't…

Circus clowns are most famous for willfully inflicting harm upon their fellow clowns. The easiest way to get a big laugh is with a pair of pliers, it appears. If you can't find pliers, a bottle of seltzer will have to do. Why is it so unusual to find a company where the boss cares…

At the last townhouse I stayed in, everything was white on white when I arrived. White walls, counters, table, furniture, and carpet. So I took it one step further, bought five blank canvases, and hung them around the apartment. Especially one big one, right at the entrance. Visitors would get upset, saying, “You have got…

Clowns get big laughs from slamming into a brick wall or running to catch up with a car that left without them. Of course, squirrels and sea monkeys don't plan ahead, either. The only species that regularly demonstrates foresight is humans, but we manage to do this only on occasion. People are happy to spend…

A couple of weeks ago, I took my daughters to the circus. The first few acts were about lions and gymnasts. Out of the blue, came out of the clown. The clown's duty is to make people laugh with his jokes, funny clothes, red nose and big shoes. Every time the clown comes out, its…

This is more a note to self than anything else. Often I get invited to adjudicate pitching competitions for entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. My approach has always being to be objective and basically act a devil advocate by asking critical questions. When I really thought about this concept of the Devil's Advocate, it hit a nerve.…

Here are attributes many of us value in friends, co-workers, bosses, employees, and suppliers: Honest Caring Punctual Curious Proactive Flexible Thoughtful Generous Fun Committed Respectful Organised Interested Creative Likable Positive Reaching out You get the idea. These are things that turn someone from ordinary into a star. They are even attributes we now assign to our…

So many of us have build great exteriors of our lives. On social media, television and around us, we see people displaying certain levels of success, recognition, applause, accomplishments, and awards... but many times we receive the reward but inwardly we cannot appreciate and accept what has happened because our "inner world" is disorganised and…

Social Capital - A fancy word for a simple idea. In its simplest form, social capital sets you up for the amazing benefits that occur from having great relationships. Not only are cultivating relationships good for your mental and emotional health, they are a crucial resource to doing work that matters. You might have the…

I don't believing the secret to doing work that matters is to JUST “follow your passions.” People will tell you that and you will believe them. But it’s not the complete truth. If you really want to know where your destiny lies, look at where you apply your time. Your passions will undoubtedly change, grow, evolve, and mature.…