Hey there, fellow leaders and curious minds! I recently had a fascinating conversation with the incredible Tim Gard on my podcast. We covered a wide range of topics that I'm eager to share with you today. From exploring the captivating culture of Botswana to digging deep into the power of humour, and even uncovering valuable leadership lessons, this conversation had it all. So, grab your favourite beverage, get comfortable, and join me as we dive into this insightful journey.

Topic 1: Unveiling Botswana's Enchanting Culture and Vibrant Economy

Curiosity hooks: Ever wondered about the hidden treasures of Botswana? What makes its culture and economy so unique?

Botswana, a land of awe-inspiring landscapes and captivating tales, offers so much more beyond what meets the eye. We shared intriguing insights into Botswana's culture, including the fascinating Tuanas tribe and their unexpected reputation. We also explored its vibrant economy, which was heavily reliant on agriculture and an emerging luxury tourism industry. Discover how Botswana's elders play a crucial role in shaping society and how water sources dictate the placement of essential infrastructure. Let's embark on this fascinating journey through the heart of Africa.

Topic 2: Unleashing the Humorous Power: Coping, Connecting, and Communicating

Curiosity hooks: How does humour serve as a powerful tool when facing adversity? Can humour transcend cultural and professional boundaries?

Laughter truly is the best medicine, but it also plays a significant role in our daily lives – from helping us cope with challenges to creating connections and enhancing communication. Tim shared personal experiences and insights into the importance of humour in various professions, including medicine and law enforcement. We delved into the art of using humour without causing pain, shared anecdotes of mishaps during presentations, and discussed the value of adapting when things go awry. Discover how humour can catalyse growth, resilience, and effective leadership.

Topic 3: Leadership Lessons: Honoring Work Ethic, Navigating Challenges, and Fostering Inclusion

Curiosity hooks: How can we cultivate a strong work ethic in ourselves and foster it in others? What can we learn from unexpected leadership role models?

Navigating the seas of leadership can sometimes be challenging, but with the proper guidance and mindset, we can truly make a difference. Tim related captivating stories from his journey, recounting the valuable lessons he learned from his father's work ethic in the Air Force and his experiences in the Navy. We explored the distinction between leadership and authority and the importance of allowing individuals to find their own paths. Join me as we uncover the secrets to fostering a positive work environment, developing inclusive leadership, and understanding the impact of our actions on others.

Conclusion:

Reflecting on my conversation with Tim Gard, I can't help but feel energised by the breadth of topics we covered. From immersing ourselves in the rich culture of Botswana to exploring the power of humour as a universal language, and gleaning insights into effective leadership, I hope this conversation has sparked your curiosity. Whether it be discovering the intricate web of Botswana's society, harnessing the power of humour, or honing your leadership skills, remember that knowledge is a journey worth embarking upon. Stay tuned for more thought-provoking conversations, and as always, lead with passion and compassion!

Alan has chaired both national and international organisations that champion the interests of professional speakers and have organised the global speaking summit 2022 in Dublin, where the world's professional speakers come together to learn from each other.

A friend of mine introduced me to Allan in 2019, and I have watched and learned from him. he has touched so many lives and leaves them stronger and better for it. I absolutely had to have him on the podcast to share some of his wisdom around crisis and, more specifically, how leaders should communicate in a crisis.

Crises are not planned, not desired and definitely not easy. A crisis needs to be a place where you are on your “A game” yet can also be a crucible for change, and for changing you. When we look back at the war in Iraq, the financial crisis of 2008, the coronavirus and the war in Ukraine, we see changes and choices that may have been postponed for years coming to effect.

I think Winston Churchill said it best. He said “never let a good crisis go to waste”. How often do we see a crisis as only a hindrance instead of an opportunity, a place to look for what can and should change and should have changed? How can we use change as an impetus, as a burning platform that scrambles people to start working on the next future?

In this, communication is critical. Be authentic, stand for what you believe in and find the future after the crisis, remember to create hope. As leaders, hope is one thing that distinguishes us from those that we lead.

After the crisis is something we, as leaders have to take very seriously. Building for a future after a crisis and leading through a crisis is very often just finding the next step. What is your next step in your crisis?

My name's Eksteen De Waal, and today I'm talking to Rieneke Deelstra. One of the things that's always struck me about Rieneke is that she's not somebody that brags, even though she's done some amazing things in life. She's led large-scale transformations within government, she has consulted and coached leaders at the highest level in local government and in the civil service, and at the same time, part-time, she's also qualified as a clinical psychologist. She just gets on with it and gets it done, and it's such a way that everybody just feels comfortable with her. Now, most coaches probably achieve this, but Rieneke is really special in this regard. She's got a way of helping you see a different perspective without it being forced, and I think that's an amazing ability. Now can you imagine how wonderful that is in a time of crisis?

So today we talk about what leadership in a crisis means. What is the impact on top leadership, middle management, and on the employees that work with the clients or the customers?

So we start talking about what does it mean now for hybrid working? What is the scope of what we term as crisis, or in a crisis how do we get our scope as clear as possible? Then we talked about what it is to impress leaders. We then go on to talk about what working with teams means for their improvement during a time of crisis, and how do you interact with your employees in a time of crisis.

How does confidence feature into this and how can reflection with others and bouncing ideas off of others help you? We also talk about how lonely it is at the top, and about the importance of cognitive empathy, and then looking at triggers and previous traumas and how that feeds into a crisis. We then do a quick stop where we talk about coaching versus psychiatry or psychology. And we talk about the attitudes towards. But also attitudes towards security, peace of mind, vulnerability and even mental health in leaders.

I wonder if Rieneke knows how blessed people are to work with her. And I'm not just gushing. Iit's always a genuine pleasure to talk to her and I find her insights very valuable. I think talking about middle-management and the impact of loneliness in senior management has yet again shone light for me on that we tend to forget that leaders are just people.

When we lead organizations, we also need our support. We also need those people that fight for us. They'll tell us we're doing an okay job, as long as they’re not yes-sayers and they’re people that can understand the vulnerabilities, but at the same time, also be honest and straight up with us. I think those kinds of people need to be cultivated, especially ones with high cognitive empathy that can show you things that you may not be able to see.