Last week I had one of those moments. The morning started out with a discussion about South Africa, and in particular Malema. It was an objective discussion, given the people I was with. Then turning on my computer I was met with a very disturbing article written and published in the UK tabloid - Daily Star.
This article described our country as a ‘land of murder’ and told 2010 World Cup visitors to expect a ‘blood bath.’ It went on to paint a picture of racial tension, black on white - a civil war. I reflected on it yesterday again when I arrived at my flat. As I got out my car a black man was walking down the street talking on his phone. When he saw me, he took the phone away from his ear, looked me in the eyes and greeted me with a huge smile.
Tension?
I immediately wrote an email and sent to my UK mates. I urged them to communicate to their friends the falseness of the content of these articles. I asked them to stand up for this country, and to speak against the negativity.
The article and the replies really isn’t the focus. Daily Star is just one of many print mediums that publish opinions, albeit completely out of context. Daily, we are met with information that we have to process. The fact is, the event happened a few days after a moment that I had in quiet where I felt a question drop into my heart and mind.
What do you believe in?
Many leaders are not clear what the answer to this question is. The fact is, no matter what the subject, there are so many sound and objective ‘point of views.’ Leaders often find themselves at critical junctions where they need to make a call - a decision. There may be a number of right options, each a degree off each other. But where is your gut leading. How can the convictions inside of you point the situation in a direction? Your positioning is not a mistake. You are where you are, because of what you feel, who you are and what you can bring to the contexts you lead within. For many of us though - we choose to remain neutral and tight lipped, avoiding conflict and tension which is a natural part of any process of change or progression.
I have had to challenge myself, daily, to have the courage to speak up on what I believe, what I feel. I find it incredibly difficult, yet hugely rewarding. I have had to learn to trust myself. I have had to understand that it may not make sense in the moment, but that it will make sense in the long term.
I have had to learn - finally - that silence simply gives voice to the motives and message of those who do have the courage to speak - no matter what their message.
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Travis Gale has spent the last 5 years running his own development business in South Africa’s corporate world and is currently involved in various long term partnerships with clients across a number of industries. Furthermore he has travelled to conferences internationally hunting down latest trends and insights. Having cycled around the world and survived a tsunami, his passion for crossing borders often lends itself to an interesting blend of stories and insight. He sees himself as a ‘change catalyst’ and displays strength in facilitating insight into the right spaces. Find out more at www.appletreelive.com