Thinking outside the box

Posted for Friday, 19 March

Marietjie Schutte’s presentation, what I saw of it (as I took ill half-way through), was informative and interesting. However, after some Immodium and rest for an hour, I was back at it again. The issue of trust in organisations was highlighted. Prof. Johannes Cronje’s session was the most interesting of the entire day. Delivered during the graveyard shift of the day and week, his humour was refreshing ... after a while you realized that he could just stand there and his appearance would be humorous, a bit like Rowan Atkinson (aka Mr. Bean). Anyway, along with the humour, came valuable information and insight into thinking outside the box. I discovered more abot my intellectual, personal and professional behaviour. I’m a “diverger” according to one of the tests we did for him. This was VERY insightful. It explained why my desk is ALWAYS a disaster. Why I have soo many ideas and think laterally ALL the time. I’m essentially an ideas person, but am so divergent that I need someone firmly grounded in reality to keep my feet on terra firma.

Our rights and how it relates to that of others rights

There were three fascinating presentations today. The attorney from the freedom of expression institute, Mbalenhle Cele, was a very informed presenter and the discussion was helpful, particularly with regard to the rights we have in the ambit of freedom of speech and as it relates to the constitution. The issue of freedom of speech relates directly to the violence and intimidation that racked my branch of CPUT earlier this year. The question that comes to mind is, at what point do we infringe on the rights of others when we believe that we need to exercise our rights to protest and express our unhappiness with the organisation we find ourselves in? Does one group of students have the right to disrupt the classes of others simply because they are aggrieved? Once again in this academy, we discussed the fundamental flaws of democracy, and I highlighted the issue that since the dawn of democracy in ancient Greece, its subsequent acceptance in Rome (to some extent) and in modern times in the form of the American republic and all over the world, political scholars have agreed about the fact that democracy is flawed. All these kinds of issues can be discussed on my blog and my facebook site to educate my students about their rights and that of others, especially in the light of what happened on our Nursing College campus in January, which was reminiscent of the mid-1980’s.

Organizational leadership: Maximizing Human Capital

Today we discussed more issues relating to leadership within organisations, presented by John Moalusi. Discussed such issues as Maximizing human capital, dealing specifically with The South African Labour Legislative Framework, Employment Equity, Performance Management, Conflict management, Training & skills development and Optimising Human Talent.

Leadership and all its interesting facets

John Moalusi has boundless energy. Founder of South Africa's first black consultancy. He talks incessantly about many interesting topics on leadership and leaders how they succeed and how they fail, and boy when they fail do they. We talked about leaders at home in government, in politics (there is a distinction) and in our various workplaces. We defined leadership, we discussed personal styles on leadership and I feel that I made a contribution. We talked about Tony O’Reilly, Madiba, Julius Malema (sorry that I place these two next to each other), Winnie and such interesting business figures as Jack Welsch and Warren Buffett. Lady Margaret Thatcher also featured, but rather ignominiously for once being on record as stating that she “Had no time for books!” As an information professional I find this statement irksome. Obama’s “Audacity of Hope” also made an appearance, with me stating that he wouldn’t have made it to the Presidency without Michelle! More of the same all day tomorrow which I will dutifully report on.

Monday, 15 March

Posed for date: Monday 15, March

John Tsebe’s talk setting the scene for locating libraries on the national agenda proved interesting and challenging for a non-lawyer. The talk placed the national library within a certain context and highlighted its importance for ALL librarians. What was the highlight of the talk was the fact that we in South Africa can be VERY proud of our heritage, our national infrastructure and our place on the African continent. We need not sit back and wait for the rest of the world to pull us along. We’re already doing it here down under. Rachel More was disappointing. She could have delivered her talk with more enthusiasm. Speaking from the podium for an hour put most of us to sleep. We expected more from our LIASA president. Archie Dick was a refreshing change from the previous dry monologue. Placing our profession firmly in the forefront of social responsibility, highlighting our ignominious past and bringing us to the present, where we have so much potential lurking in the shadows, was enlightening. The talk truly exuded hope for our profession. Prof Bothma’s enthusiasm really rubbed off. He is truly the type of academic whom I admire. His keen intellect, yet humble nature combined with a socially aware bent, was also refreshing.

Personality analysis: HBDI

Posted for date: Sunday 14, March
Ann de Boer has amazing energy. Her enthusiasm for her work, her being as committed as she is, simply invigorates one. She knows how to get her audience going. I wish I could have a fraction of her energy!! Not only was the HBDI personal profile a fresh take on my personality, but it also shed light on how I work, learn and interact with my colleagues, family and people in general. Strongly in the blue quadrant, highly analytical and enthused by logical, quantitative thinking, I was somewhat pleasantly surprised. Yet, when stressed, I opt for the “D” quadrant with metaphoric, integrative, visual, synthesising and conceptual thinking. I need to stretch into the “RED” quadrant more so than I tend to do.
The Campbell Leadership descriptor tool was also eye-opening. I was a bit insecure about my management and leadership styles, but this gave me more, revised insight into how I live, work and play. Very useful!!

Ann De Boer and the HBDI

POSTING FOR WORK DONE ON SUNDAY 14 March, 2010:

Ann De Boer and the HBDI personal profile provided fascinating and realistic insight into my personality and the way I conduct my intellectual and pesonal life. The HBDI profile located me strongly in the BLUE quadrant which showed that I am more analytical, quantitative, logical, tecnical and factual. However when these strengths are under threat I move distinctly into the yellow quadrant where I distinctly display metaphoric, integraive, visual, synthesising and conceptual qualities. Ann De Boer's upbeat, energetic and somewhat extrovert personality was a real plus for the day.
The Campbell leadership descriptor tool was a real surprise. I definitely underestimated my abilities as a leader.