Good morning dear friends “All acts of kindness are lights in the war for justice.” These words are part of Joy Harjo’s Reconciliation, A Prayer included in How We Became Human. /strategy In Humanocracy, London Business School professor Gary Hamel…
Dear friends I woke on Tuesday to the news that the great Abdullah Ibrahim had passed on the day before. False Bay was wind-whipped; the Cape howling its grief. Bruised blue swells boomed off granite boulders, a marching band’s bass…
Good morning, dear friends Today’s letter is more essay-like than letter-like, so pour the coffee or the tea (or the wine, if it is time) and settle in. A few years ago, one of my nieces spent some time with…
Good morning friends /strategyThe strategy industry and its remoras too often create caricatures of strategy. Strategy is not a list of goals. It is not how it is measured. Nor is it a template, one-page, or otherwise (Richard Rumelt is spectacular…
Dear friends The month’s writing break is done, and we are back. Apologies if you joined this community whilst I was away. I should have set up an “out-of-office doing deep writing” message, but didn’t. Next time. For those of…
Dear friends Before we get to this week’s letter, a quick reminder of last week’s announcement that for this year, we will have 8 weeks of letters, followed by a 4-week production break. I am creating space for advancing deep…
Dear friends My coaching work often integrates fiction. I do so because it allows us to see depth and nuance that non-fiction can’t. The non-fiction author can’t explore imagination or internal dialogue, but our unspoken dreams, hopes and fears influence so…
Good morning friends At the end of 2025, Eben Etzebeth released his biography, Unlocked. Etzebeth is South African rugby’s most capped player. In fact, he is one of the most capped players in all of rugby history. He has two…
Dear friends Our last two letters, Self-Doubt and Success, and Excellence and Leadership, went longer than usual, so this week’s letter is briefer. /strategy Last week’s letter gave us four catalytic leadership habits courtesy of strategy guru Jim Collins. If…
Dear Friends In this Tim Ferriss interview about his new book – The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness – Harvard professor Arthur Brooks offers unexpected advice: “Stop looking for your significance at the macro…
Dear friends, Today is the year’s last letter. We will gather here again on 18 January 2026. It is ‘best books of 2025’ season. My favourite lists are the Financial Times and NPR’s. NPR’s “Books We Love” is particularly cool…
Good morning dear friends This community loves learning, loves reading, loves books. You understand that different perspectives create richer possibilities. You’ll love this list – acclaimed Zimbabwean novelist, Tsitsi Dangarembga’s favourite African novels. Whilst speaking of African authors, this is one…