Sincerity, respect and meaning in our communication; Africans are more hopeful about the future than the rest of the world

A number of people responded to my last communication (incidentally, I now have all my previous monthly communications on my website www.neweraleadership.co.za) regarding the habit so many people have of telling everyone how busy they are. It seems as though I am not the only one to make the observation that there often are emotional or psychological drivers behind people’s apparent need to tell others how busy they are.

I suspect that the above is only one of a growing list of socially acceptable (or even desirable) things we say while they are in conflict with what we know, mean, think or feel. The result is that we make promises we don’t intend to keep, we deny strong emotions we have about contentious issues or we pretend to be very efficient or knowledgeable while we are struggling to cope. I know that I, at times, complicated my life unnecessary by not being entirely upfront and honest in my interactions with people. You probably can also recall examples in your life. I’m not thinking of major issues. It is often the little things that snowball because we allowed them to. If I am right that it is an increasing phenomenon, is it because life has become so individualistic, impersonal and anonymous? We respect our constitution, we respect race, cultural diversity and gender but we don’t respect the individual we are dealing with as we used to. We are happy to keep him/her guessing our real intentions, insecurities or thoughts. Is it because life has become so complex that our brains are too tired to ‘compute’ all the input, all the options, and therefore defaults to standard ‘safe’ but dishonest answers even in our relationships or dealings with others? Whatever the reasons, I see a leadership challenge. We got a lot of our insights in leadership from the military field, and with good reason. To win on the battlefield - where it is a matter of life and death - vision, strategy, team work and courage (the language and interest of leaders) are all vital to success. Can you imagine the disaster an army faces if the soldiers say one thing but mean another, make promises they don’t intend to keep or constantly choose the safest option? Our challenges at work may not be a matter of life and death, but success, as on the battlefield, depends heavily on honest and open communication. As leaders we need to live by example but moreover we need to actively set standards and inspire others with what is both morally and practically desirable.

African Renaissance

Positive news is coming from the World Economic Forum on Africa that is currently in conference in Cape Town. Would you believe that Africans are more hopeful about the future than the rest of the world!? According to a poll 52% of Africans are optimistic that 2006 will be better than 2005 whilst 48% in the rest of the world believe that it will be a better year.

‘African leaders opened the World Economic Forum on Africa with a resounding call for economic growth to be the continent’s new strategy.’ According Augusto Lopez-Claros, Chief Economist, World Economic Forum, Africa last year experienced the highest average growth rate in 30 years. Apart from the rise in global demand for commodities that helped Africa’s cause, it is acknowledged that many African countries improved macroeconomic management, which also contributed to boost economic growth rates. Fiscal deficits were reduced on average and inflation fell from double digit figures in 2003 to 8.5% in 2005.

An inspirational story is that of Sunette Pienaar, Founder of Heartbeat, who won the South African Social Entrepreneur of the Year award. Sunette was honoured for her ‘exemplary contribution to mobilize communities to care and protect their children whose parents have died’. She founded Heartbeat in 2000 after leaving her position as a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church. Heartbeat has since mobilized communities in six provinces (Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo, Free State and Eastern Cape) to care directly or indirectly for some 6,000 orphans and vulnerable children. Heartbeat assists these children in accessing water, electricity, housing, schooling and government grants where applicable. All services are delivered through local community committees - www.weforum.org/africa#4

With that I wish you a wonderful, honest and uncomplicated month of June in Africa.