Character First Training in Uganda Video highlight

Character-Based Leadership in UGANDA. An interview with Dr Mario and Desmond Denton

Uganda, Africa the Pearl of Africa

In a previous interview Heideli Loubser interviewed Dr Mario Denton regarding character-based leadership challenges and sustainable implementation of character-based training in the workplace. In this interview, Heideli Loubser asked Dr Denton about his recent experience in taking character-based training into some African countries.

Loubser: I have noticed that you have done Character First in Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, Malawi and now in Uganda. I am very keen to hear how you started the training in that part of the continent of Africa and what you have learnt. You also mentioned that your son Desmond Denton have done a documentary and a session on storytelling. Now let me start this time with Desmond. Desmond tell us more about your experience in UGANDA

Character Champions in Namibia

This seminar is designed specifically for CF champions who plan to do CF implementation in organisations.

16 Champions in Namibia have been trained and special thanks for Sanet and Derrick who have organised this

• Expectations from the founder Tom Hill of Character First in Oklahoma
• Overall Vision for Africa
• Character First growth the last 12 months
• Doing the Character First self assessments, CF coaching
• Overview of CF programs day one and day two*
• Case studies (Metro Police, Vital Health, Barloworld, George Hospital, Clanwilliam High School, Ghana and Nigeria)
• Media opportunities, success stories with Radio Tygerberg 104 magazine
• Do’s and Don’ts of Implementation
• The Power of Breakfast sessions
• Project management skills and business case thinking
• Application: Business, Families, Education
• Facilitating the changes and follow up
• Monthly Character First directed work team discussions
• The new challenges and budgets and financial model
• Code of Ethics and non disclosure agreements
• The next steps

Thirty three people have been trained also in the Basic seminar
See feedback from one of the delegates

ANC condemns Malema's behaviour

The ANC "strongly condemned" its youth league president Julius Malema treatment of a BBC journalist. "The aggressive and insultive (sic) behaviour to the said journalist that culminated with Mr Fisher walking out of the Youth League press briefing cannot be condoned at all," said spokesperson Jackson Mthembu.

Reflected negatively on ANC "The unfortunate outburst by Comrade Juluis Malema not only reflect negatively on him, but also reflected negatively on the ANC YL, the entire ANC family, our alliance partners as well as South Africa in the eyes of the international community." Malema called BBC journalist, Jonah Fisher, a "bastard" and an "agent" before booting him out of the media briefing. Leadership

"We are of a firm view that this matter could have been handled differently. "The leadership abilities and qualities of the position that Comrade Juluis Malema holds, should have prepared him to deal with the issue in a manner that demonstrated leadership," Mthembu said.

 

But how do you treat this matter differently?

Let me start: Character is the qualities built into an individual’s life that determines his or her response, regardless of circumstances and it springs from the heart. The true test for character is always our response to the pressure of difficult situations. Wrong actions and attitudes damage relationships and it is important to deal with the inner attitude.

When apologising, you have to look for a change of heart not only regret. Regret means that you are sorry but you do not change.

A change of heart means that you change your mind and you want to restore the relationship. An appeal to the conscience is a sure way of correcting someone as you than ask if your actions was truthful, punctual, wise, and exercising self- control

 

For more on dealing with the inner attitude see our website www.charcterfirst.co.za

Developing leaders of the future

INTERNATIONAL LECTURES: Dr Mario Denton recently traveled to Germany, Namibia and Ghana to present lectures about HR and Character First. All the lectures were enthusiastically received, with positive feedback and invitations to return with more.

This elective happen at Leipzig during the first week in April.
The primary outcome of this elective in HR is to help participants to:

• Develop an integrated and comprehensive understanding of the field of Human Resource Management.

• Equip participants with fundamental, critical and analytical diagnostic expertise to enable them to analyze, understand and apply complex trends in the area of HR and to apply theoretical HR concepts with a view to solving relevant HR problems in their respective workplaces.

• Draw up a comprehensive HR support plan incorporating all the significant facets of HR.

Character First Sabco

Character First! helps people see the value of good character, so they can build better workplaces and communities. We have received great feedback from a group of delegates and would like to share with you regarding their experience:

Hi Mario, I hope you are fine. I wanted to share with you some key developments since your training in PE. I must confess that the character first message is very REAL for most people I have exposed it to. You can hear a pin drop during some of the management meetings I have addressed to introduce the concept. Many managers have embraced it well that I continuously get information on how people have been recognized. The Management team continues to use the character first examples while addressing employees. It is now common to hear employees refer to character issues as they discuss any people issues. At our annual long service awards – this month, the management team decided to recognize the MD for having the character of Decisiveness.

Character First in Malawi

Untitled from Desmond Denton on Vimeo.



Malawi is among the world's least developed and most densely populated countries. The economy is heavily based in agriculture, with a largely rural population.

The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet development needs, although this need (and the aid offered) has decreased since 2000. The Malawian government faces challenges in growing the economy, improving education, health care and the environmental protection and becoming financially independent. Malawi has several programs developed since 2005 that focus on these issues, and the country's outlook appears to be improving, with improvements in economic growth, education and healthcare seen in 2007 and 2008.

 

The purpose of the visit Jan Strydom Africa Director for Crown Financial Ministries has visited Johann van der Ham the local director for Crown Financial Ministries on various occasions. Johan is also very active in doing and training people on Farming God’s way.

 

Jan Strydom has also discussed and informs Johann about the role of CF as possible intervention for the region Johan have set up various presentations and during the period of 26-28 May myself together with Johan and Billy have done 8 CF presentations and answer and questions sessions to the following group

 
We have now set up plans again for the 24-25 June where we will train about 20 participants from the various organisations in the Basic CF implementation. To all the delegates and support team members- a big special thanks

Powerful testimonial from Tanzania

We would be to share with you the wonderful experiences delegates have with the Character First programmes. We would like to thank all of the delegates who have attended the Character First programmes and are passionately making the difference where they are. We are truly witnessing significant progress and are truly thankful to all involved. Below follows a powerful feedback all the way from the beautiful country of Tanzania.

Dear Mario, Trust you have arrived home safe. Many thanks for the briliant presentation thisafternoon. I have had very good feedback from delegates and you have real addedvalue to all of us. The Managing Director of CRDB Bank said it clearly overdinner - that if we addressed the character issue first, the rest will fall into place.
 
I am looking forward to working with you in the near future. All the very best Dave Kahwa Founder, President & CEO EQUIP GRC TANZANIA

More than clean water? Character First for a selected group of the City of Cape Town -Water and Sanitation

It was absolutely wonderful to train nearly 100 Character First champions from the Water and Sanitation department. We have trained the Director and his senior team and also showed a short DVD of the director’s message during the first opening session.

I fully agree with the following statement where Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, in an interview in the McKinsey Quarterly, illustrated the need for character training when he said the following:
 
“We are struggling ourselves, as a new democracy in South Africa, to restore values … Values are never a given. They have got to be developed, worked upon, and consolidated on an ongoing basis. Because if at any given time we as a society or as sections of society become complacent about them, we run the risk of losing them…. We are therefore duty bound to try at all times to bring to the fore the values that bring us together as fellow South Africans, as human beings, united in our diversity.”
 
Instilling the Character First qualities into each employee must be a passion for each manager. God knew the importance of instilling values. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 He said, "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." If you want your Character First qualities embraced by staff, share them regularly and creatively


View director's message


CHARACTER FIRST INTERVIEW CAPE TOWN from Desmond Denton on Vimeo.



View Character Discussion


Character First training Cape Town Water and Sanitation from Desmond Denton on Vimeo.

Character and ethics: a group of BP staff in Johannesburg makes Character meaningful

To promote change you need people that are serious about instilling the change. It’s less about merely solving the problems- It is about a shift in priorities to keep the sustainable momentum of positive growth and character alive.

My suggestions to this team during the training were the following:

1.Establish a character-based culture in your environment.

2.Train all managers and supervisors and equip them with the character tools and bulletins. Encourage each person to take his character bulletin home.

3.Be an example of character and do the 49 character qualities assessment in your team and department twice a year.

4.Focus on one character quality per month. Hold character application sessions.

5.Get rid of employee of the month recognition schemes and recognize each employee once per year based on one of the 49 Character qualities.

6.Publicly recognise good character with genuine praise. It is one thing to talk about being an Character, it is another to actually take action on a plan to develop ourselves and others as authentic leaders.


When we see others finding their "True Character North", it helps us to see ours.

To all woman- whether you are a mom, a daughter, a student, a boss, an employee...

Happy women's day from the Strong Message team..
Take courage as the 20 000 woman did in 1956.
Even when the world are rushing... may you realise that it is important to take time, to realise the value and potential you have.   May you laugh and be thrilled by the everyday magic and mystery that life brings along your way.  May you reflect true beauty as woman


Here follows an extract from a well known poem that I sent a while ago to Bea, and thought it to be appropriate on women's day. May true beauty be part of your everyday...

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands,
one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not merely in
the clothes she wears,
the figure she carries,
or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman
must be seen from her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman
is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman
is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
the beauty of a woman

with passing years—only grows.

To the men:  Use this occasion as a reminder to respect and care for them. To honour your commitment and promises. To walk your talk to ensure that women receive the respect and opportunities they deserve.  Make this women's day a true time of caring and reflection.  Together we can all make the significant difference. 

Character First at Clanwilliam

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga’s announcement that she vowed to cut the "frills" out of outcomes based education (OBE) and get back to teaching the basics in public schools. Sometimes we implement plans despite all good advice, and the mountain of evidence that it was not going to work. Billions of Rands have been spent on it, and the victims have been the children who have had to endure a cumbersome and complicated curriculum with no obvious benefits. OBE has also placed extreme burdens on many teachers.

But where is this coming from. I believe that as parents we have failed to teach our children the fundamental character principles. Just look at the two tables below:

It is through the building of character in our lives that we can reach our full potential.

Building character makes a person not only a better employee, but also a better spouse, parent, neighbor, and citizen. “The strength of a nation lies in the strength of its families.” Ray Nash

Character First! can make a difference in your workplace or sphere of influence.

Leading in turbulent times

I have noticed that the financial crisis has undermined good practices. Command-and-control leaders are back in fashion and companies appear to be condoning it.


The unique, multi-cultural demographic composition of the South African population, commonly referred to as the Rainbow Nation in political circles, has presented numerous pressing contemporary management and leadership challenges.

Kofi Annan, the general secretary of the United Nations, a while back, declared that the greatest challenge to face Africa is one of leadership. The greatest crisis in Africa is not poverty, disease or corruption - but one of leadership. We would like to propose that this is true not only in Africa but also of the world. The answer lies in preparing tomorrow's leaders today. How do we do this in an increasingly “corrupt world”?

Connect people to forward motivation


Leading in turbulent times... from Desmond Denton on Vimeo.

Feedback From Authentic insights readers

Appreciated so much. Hope to receive your next issue. You have really
soaked my life with important attributes of leadership in a dynamic
environment. Thanks and God's Blessings.
Collins Kajawa

Happy Birthday to CEO, Dr Mario Denton

ur

We want to give a special message to our CEO, leader, mentor, professor and very special friend Dr Mario Denton on his birthday. 

Here follows a few birthday wishes from friends, colleagues and some of our special clients.

DEAR AMIGO MARIO;

Just a short note to wish you a fantastic day as you celebrate your birthday.  We trust that you will have a very special day.

Receive a big abrazo from all of our family on your birthday with our prayers that this will be the best year for you and your family thus far with many more to celebrate!

We truly praise the Lord for your life and the manner that He has and is using you and Mariene to impact sooooo many for Christ..

Muchas F E L I C I D A D E S & muchos ..muchos mas!!!!!

Best Saludos & May The Lord Bless You In A Grand Way !; 

With much love and appreciation!

read more:

Mentoring with Dr Dick Wynn

The ever-shrinking pool of experienced managers and the desperate need for more qualified and competent mentors in the workplace were the reason for our unique approach of coaching selected managers and supervisors in fulfilling their role within the organisation to reach their required levels of competence and professionalism

Click on picture to go to Destiny Levels of Development Mentorship Program
and be sure to enroll today to ensure placementhttp://www.strongmessage.co.za/services_sub.php?id=3

Challenge to Change Breakfast sessions

So far we have discussed the following topics this year and I am available to repeat again: 

Entrepreneurship that prospers

paSome facts

Small businesses are the traditional source of local and national economic growth

Twenty percent of new business ventures fail within one year (Timmons - An Obsession with Opportunity) close to eighty percent of new business ventures fail within six years.

Given the importance of small businesses to the economy of a country, these failure rates are alarming.

Character First at Clanwilliam

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga’s announcement that she vowed to cut the "frills" out of outcomes based education (OBE) and get back to teaching the basics in public schools. Sometimes we implement plans despite all good advice, and the mountain of evidence that it was not going to work. Billions of Rands have been spent on it, and the victims have been the children who have had to endure a cumbersome and complicated curriculum with no obvious benefits. OBE has also placed extreme burdens on many teachers.

But where is this coming from. I believe that as parents we have failed to teach our children the fundamental character principles. Just look at the two tables below

But where is this coming from. I believe that as parents we have failed to teach our children the fundamental character principles. Just look at the two tables below

It is through the building of character in our lives that we can reach our full potential.

Building character makes a person not only a better employee, but also a better spouse, parent, neighbor, and citizen.

“The strength of a nation lies in the strength of its families.” Ray Nash

Character First! can make a difference in your workplace or sphere of influence.

Character training in the Metro Police; Vital Health

This training in the Metro Police is still going strong and so far 114 staff members have been trained in the skills of implementing Character First.

Thanks for all the dedication and commitment from the Metro Police officers, and for the insight and things also that we have learnt so far.