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A proverb a day keeps the mind at play

September 18, 2014 by Brenda Leave a Comment

A proverb can be described as a short, well-known pithy saying, stating a general truth or piece of advice about how people should live that principle.  It expresses a belief that is generally thought to be true.  An English example would be ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’.  

There is often a cultural richness in the origins of these sayings.  I was delighted when the Tyler Liebenberg, assistant general manager of the Oyster Box Hotel gave me the delightful book, ‘Wisdom from Africa: a collection of proverbs’.  I like the way the compiler, Dianne Stewart provides each proverb in the relevant African language, states the proverb in English and then gives an intriguing explanation.

Two examples are:


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This collection intrigued me and proverbs were still on my mind when I read an e-mail from my son, Gary. ‘Per the attached image I've decided to try to grow an avo tree. The problem is that the cats think that the water to grow the tree is for their drinking!’ 

To put this in context, he and his wife have recently bought their first house in Sydney, Australia.  At home here in South Africa, we love our avo (avocado pear) tree and relish the fruits that it bears profusely.  So I was amused as I read his message and looked at the photo. 

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My response was in the form of a new proverb: 

There are more ways to grow an avo than just from the cats’ drinking water.  

Perhaps I can’t yet call this a ‘proverb’ because going back to the first paragraph of this article, my saying may not ‘expresses a belief that is generally thought to be true’.  If I get enough readers telling me they believe it is true, possibly I could call it a ‘proverb’?  So, please let me know what you think.

This is such fun!  Have you ever tried making up your own proverbs?  Try it! 

A proverb a day keeps the mind at play.

For more information on training in communication skills, leadership development or Executive Coaching, please contact brenda@146.66.90.172 or phone +27 82 4993311. 

People places

May 15, 2014 by Brenda Leave a Comment

I am often asked: ‘How can we encourage our staff-members to talk to each other?’  Another question is: how do we break away from excessive reliance on electronic connection and encourage our management and staff to build personal relationships?   A young guy was telling me that when staff in his organisation ‘go on breaks’ they go to the allocated room and interact with their phones, not with each other.  There is no conversation. 

Some ideas that I have seen used in trying to encourage building relationships:

  • An organisation I was involved in KwaZulu-Natal set a mantra, ‘pick up the phone’.  In other words, they want people to talk to each other face to face, and if that is not possible, to phone each other. 
  • The director of a law firm suggested asking staff to ‘walk down the passage’ rather than be isolated in their offices. The abruptness of some e-mails was destroying relationships.
  • A famous hotel group thought that they’d create awareness of reliance on e-mails by not allowing staff to send e-mails to each other on a Friday.  Of course, they could respond to guests e-mails and do necessary external business.  That didn’t seem to work. 
  • Some firms in the USA are re-introducing the coffee-urn in the passage, hoping the people will congregate there.

So, how do we get people to ‘congregate’?  I believe that we need to work on the culture of the organisation. Recently I saw an outstanding example.   Imagine how wonderful it must be to work in a place where you can occasionally take your dog to work and where she’ll be appreciated.  Here I met Harriet.

Cotton On Group, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Cotton On Group, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Imagine working for a firm where 800 people are on-site and where bowls of fruit are available for staff at strategic positions.  You could practise in a gym with one of 8 instructors.  An air of wellness abounds. There is an opportunity to make an appointment with the visiting naturopath, osteopath or other person who will help staff to live a better life. 

Wellness is a priority at the Cotton On Group.

Wellness is a priority at the Cotton On Group.

Wherever I went at the Cotton On Group in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, I noticed areas that were conducive to getting people together – either to work, to share ideas or to reflect.  Some of these areas were wooden tables.  Others were brightly coloured.  There was even an area with beanbags.  Staff appreciate the benefits of a reading area with all the latest magazines and newspapers.

Staff have the opportunity to read, reflect and be inspired.

Staff have the opportunity to read, reflect and be inspired.

That would be my workplace of choice.  And then add to that an atmosphere of busy-ness.  Everyone is deeply engrossed in their work, yet they have time to laugh, smile and make playful comments.  When I mentioned that my husband would have loved this visit and can no longer travel, my hosts immediately said:  ‘Let’s make a video saying ‘hello, Edgar’ and they did exactly that – not only once, but twice!  

So the ‘connections’ were not only internal but they extended sincerely outwards as well.  This is sadly rare in the modern workplace.  In addition to all the ideas mentioned above (and many, many more), they have a monthly barbecue with meaningful awards.  One of their values is ‘family’ and their behaviours reflect that they are living the value. 

My message is:  working on the superficial elements of getting people to connect may work.  But by having a culture where people are truly valued and they know they are appreciated will encourage people to reach potential and to connect with each other. 

My question is:  how can you make yours the ‘workplace of choice’? 

For more information on Communication Skills training, Leadership Development or Executive Coaching please contact  Brenda on brenda@146.66.90.172 or +27 82 4993311.

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