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Leadership Fundamentals
#239: Leadership that does not listen, fails.
Good morning dear friends This week’s letter took an unexpected turn. I had it planned, then Microsoft’s Co-Pilot suggested a rewrite. I started wrestling with that (it is down at…
#238: Silence is expensive
Hello dear reader If you liked last week’s letter about how Capitec’s founders created one of South Africa’s biggest banks, I’d appreciate you sharing this post with your networks. TJ Strydom’s…
#232: Building Your 2025 Reading List: Books to Inspire
Good morning dear friends We are back! Five years ago, to the day, I sent this newsletter to a handful of friends for comment. Since then, I’ve written 232 of…
#229: Be a Problem (Finder)
Good morning friends If you’re coming to the Cape this December, here are a few options to consider. For wine bars – Leo’s for edgy wines and a creative crowd,…
#227: How to Listen Better
Dear Friends First, an announcement. From Thursday, my parents are visiting what is a currently a windy Southern Peninsula (the whales seem to be hiding out or have left) and so…
#219: Music Lessons for Leaders (thank you Sean Jones & NYO Jazz)
Dear Friends Today’s letter is a little different. Over the past few months, I’ve seen some spectacular musicians perform. I thought we’d reflect on the leadership lessons they teach us. Before…
#217: Leading through Dramatic Change
Dear friends On 30 June, President Ramaphosa announced South Africa’s new Cabinet. This Wednesday, I posted my Cabinet Reading List. My coaching practice birthed the idea. A central component of…
#216: Find Your X-Factor
Good morning friends Thank you for your generous comments and reflections marking the fifth anniversary of my coaching practice. Today, we’ll get straight to it. /strategyLast week, I introduced you to Verne…
#212: Managers can change the world
Dear friends Ten days ago, whilst working in the pre-dawn – that sounds hard-working, but in truth, winter sunrise is only at 08h00 – I heard a familiar yet always…
#210: The Inner Work of Leadership: Caring for Yourself and Others
Good morning friends Today is more essay than letter. It’s a bit long. I apologise, but is about your self-care, about self-care for leaders. It needed the words. I’d love to…
#209: Unlocking Engagement
Dear friends Apologies to those of you who missed my announcement that I wasn’t writing last weekend, I was flattered to know that you missed our letter. I was speaking…
208: Time and Cash: Navigating Life and Business
Dear friends Thank you for your generous comments after last week’s leadership lessons from Caster Semenya’s Race to be Myself. I appreciated them. Before we start, a quick public service…