Sawubona

Welcome to the forty-third edition of "In-Touch". As always, I would love to continue the conversation so please hit "reply " and let me know what you think.

Story of the Week: Sawubona

Last month I led a one-day leadership workshop in Atlantic City, N.J., USA. One of the many exercises that we ran was based on the results of the Enneagram? psychometric test. The participants were divided into teams, each one composed of individuals whose score showed them to belong to the same basic?Enneagram? type .

Each team was then asked to make a brief presentation outlining:

1. The types of behaviour they welcome?
2. The types of behaviour they detest?
3. The way they expect and wish others to treat them.?

The exercise was a huge success and most, if not all, of the participants were totally absorbed by it. In the process, they opened up to the rest of us, becoming both vulnerable and transparent.?

This particular exercise was inspired by and designed around the Zulu word?sawubona. This is a unique word, extremely rich in meaning and unlike any I have ever come across in another language. Its literal translation is ‘I see you’ but it means something much deeper: I not only see you with my eyes, standing in front of me, but I ‘see’ the whole you: where you are coming from, what you need, your passions, your strengths and weaknesses as well as your triggers. Moreover, I ‘see’ you and, at the same time, I welcome you for what you are.?

The concept of?sawubona?is infused with the belief that, if others ‘see’ me as a complete person, then I exist as one. Seeing others through the?sawubona?lens will not only lead to the creation and?development of a successful and motivated team ?but, at the same time, it will create a sense of trust within your department and subsequently throughout your entire organisation.?

The most productive work environments tend to include team members who are able to work exceptionally well together, despite their individual differences. So, to ensure that your team is successful, make sure that you and every member ‘see’ each other through the richness of?sawubona.?You will be amazed at the difference it can make.

Words of Wisdom

The 'Double A' formula to successful change:

“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance."?

Nathaniel BrandenRead?

A Question to Ponder, dear friend.

“How do you go beyond your initial perception in oder to form a more accurate picture of a new colleague?”

Hit?reply ?and let me know.

Announcements

• Jump-Start Monday was back this Monday! Click?here ?to see an excerpt our latest episode with Alex Vandoros. Alex is the creator of the “Game of Money” podcast. He is also a Greek entrepreneur, an architect and a mindset coach. We got to speak about leadership, wealth and legacy. There were sound issues so we are including an excerpt from a story about Donald Trump I am certain not many of you know about.
• "Address for Success? " is making a first appearance in London, UK! There are only 15 places for this one-day (7 hours in duration event) and five have already been reserved. Click?here ?to enroll. Less than 70 days to go. If your company is a member of the Great Britain - Cyprus Business Association you receive a further 20% goodwill gesture discount from the investment mentioned in the electronic brochure. The event is sponsored by Fieldfisher LLP and hosted at their head offices in London.

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Best Regards,

Michael R. Virardi