Candidate at Barloworld

Every manager does have a blind spot and blind spots
are often the reason why managers don't finish well.
A manager without a teachable mindset will find it
very hard to listen for feedback and it will also be very difficult
for him to admit having blind spots.

A manager should ask the following two questions
to his direct staff at least twice a year to help him
to identify some blind spots:

. What is stopping you (direct subordinates) from reaching peak
performance?
. If you were in my position, what would you like to see being done
differently?
An emotional intelligence 360-degree assessment can definitely
help to identify blind spots in your interpersonal,
intrapersonal, stress,adaptability and general mood competencies.

This is exactly what we have done in helping 10 managers
from Barloworld polishing their managerial skills and
presenting themselves a year later based on the new
things that have learned

Stories/vision are a driving force that shape
an organisations' destiny. People look to leaders for direction.
The participating managers adopted the above and communicated
a vision of their future through the form of a heartfelt pledge.

This impels them to move beyond the boundaries and limits
of the past to greatness.
Storytelling in a business must come from the top to
strengthen the culture and spirit of the workplace.
This process was filmed on camera.

The power of integrating the art of storytelling and purposeful conversations

We received this post and found it to be a real motivation to what we are busy doing- without delay here follows the received email.


"I'm really inspired by STRONGMESSAGE. I find your ethos captivating and simultaneously enriching just by reading it! Intellectual curiosity and collaboration is key! WOW! This is what we need!! The combination of visual art (film) and psychology, a most powerful combination! Not to mention its extensive uses for marketing oneself. I'm eager to hear more about you guys and the development of your 'movement' / 'establishment'.
I'll be watching out for innovative trains of thought on your site! I'll be spreading word!

It's so good to see family working together!

All in Christ!!

Karen Mulder
Nitty Gritty Arts"



Phil Cooke, filmmaker and media activist, stated: " during difficult financial times, the strength of your brand is your greatest asset. It creates a powerful sense of trust. When times get tough – the smartest investment you can make is in the integrity, authenticity, and effectiveness of your brand. "

It’s about immediacy, connection, and influence when we realize that we should stop sitting around worrying about the future and start creating it.

Western Cape Education Department

One of my favourite projects is to help management to develop to their full human potential by applying and developing their emotional intelligence. Combining this with training in facilitating perpetual change and having purposeful conversations on burning workplace issues are what organisations desperately need. The WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT has asked me to train about 50 of their most senior staff in these concepts. The first session was held in Kromme Rhee.


This year their purposeful conversation will be about The Hammer of Justice. Visit the Strong Message website www.strongmessage.co.za for more details on this intervention.

Lecturing at REIMS Management School in France

Lecturing at Reims is one of the highlights for me every year. This was the 11th time I've done this and my topic was again Making Human Capital the Differentiating Factor in the Workplace. Students who attended the last session were from Italy, Spain, France, Canada, Mexico, China and Germany.

Highlights of 2008

It was truly an eventful year. Below are some of the highlights that have made a significant impact on my life.

Whale Trail Hike 2008

December 2008
12 people started on a journey -
one that could be measured at 55km on the eye,
but of which the impact would last much longer.

Change Agent Training at George Hospital

What a pleasure it was to do training with this team. We have trained all the senior management in dealing with five major challenges they are facing in the hospital.



We have also trained another 50 change agents in assisting
management to deal with these challenges.
George Hospital decided to use the The Don intervention.