The 3 Decisions That Made Mandela a Truly Great Leader

Nelson Mandela's life story has long since become a legend, one that transcends borders, race, language, or culture. His leadership truly belongs to the world.

It would be absurd--let alone disrespectful to Mandela's achievements--to suggest that the issues you face as a business leader are as grave as apartheid, or that the stresses you encounter compare with his decades of imprisonment. Still, Mandela's decisions at key points in his career do hold lessons for everyone who aspires to be a great leader.  In my opinion, these three decisions especially stand out.

1985: Turning down Botha's offer of conditional amnesty

In a 1985 speech to the nation, pro-apartheid President F. W. Botha offered Mandela freedom if he renounced violence and other illegal activity. The President tried to shift the blame for imprisonment to Mandela himself: after all, he was now free to go, provided he would be law abiding. Mandela did not fall for this transparent ploy. Yes, he very much desired freedom after decades of hard labor and confinement in a small cell. But he also felt it would betray his principles, his leadership and the ANC’s long struggle. Here is how Mandela replied, in part, to President Botha’s disingenuous offer:

“What freedom am I being offered while the organization of the people remains banned?.... What freedom am I being offered if I must ask permission to live in an urban area?....  Only free men can negotiate. Prisoners cannot enter into contracts.”

Mandela turned down Botha and opted to stay in his cold, dark prison cell --  about 8 feet by 8 feet in size -- and was prepared to serve out the remainder of his life sentence.  This strategic decision was enormously powerful, since it greatly elevated his position as the face of the ANC’s opposition, while also drawing attention to his enormous personal sacrifice.

1993: Finding a way to make peace in the wake of Chris Hani's assasination

The second strategic decision occurred shortly after Mandela became a free man but before he was elected President in 1994. The trigger was the 1993 assassination of Chris Hani, a popular black leader fighting for equal rights. Hani was shot in cold blood by a right-wing white extremist  when stepping out of his car. The killer was identified by a white woman, who turned him in. The assasination ignited widespread fury and triggered huge demonstrations. Many blacks wanted revenge, and the atmosphere was ripe for looting, violence and mayhem. Recently out of prison, Mandela rose to the occasion and appealed for calm. Here is part of what he said:

"Tonight, I am reaching out to every single South African, black and white, from the very depths of my being. A white man, full of prejudice and hate, came to our country and committed a deed so foul that our whole nation now teeters on the brink of disaster. A white woman, of Afrikaner origin, risked her life so that we may know and bring to justice, this assassin. The cold-blooded murder of Chris Hani has sent shock waves throughout the country and the world….. Now is the time for all South Africans to stand together against those who, from any quarter, wish to destroy what Chris Hani gave his life for - the freedom of all of us."

1994: Refusing to stand for a second term as president

His third strategic decision occurred after his election as president: He decided early in his first term not to stand for a second, although two were possible under the constitution. This was a remarkable gesture in a continent where leaders tend to seek maximum power (such as Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe). Mandela knew that his speech would be watched by about a billion people on television around the world, and he wanted to signal clearly that he was pledged to democracy and that he represented all the people of his country, regardless of color. The most famous lines of this landmark speech are inscribed in stone on Robben Island.  Here is part of what he said:

“We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discriminations. Never, never and never again shall this beautiful land experience the oppression of one by another….

Mandela’s extraordinary achievement was to encourage racial harmony, forgiveness without forgetting, power sharing, and a strong focus on the future, not the past. As a master of symbolism, Mandela supported his strategy by being magnanimous towards his former enemies. For example, in 1995, he visited the widow of the very man who was the main architect of the apartheid regime and in effect put him in prison (Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd). He rejoiced when the national rugby team Springboks won the world championship even though this team had been a symbol of racism and Afrikaner power for decades. He proudly wore the team’s shirt during the championship match, waved his hands in support and signaled to the world at large that he truly supported a rainbow nation. Such leadership is as precious as it is rare.

Source; INC.

The Value of Time

A Nigerian song writer sang a song titled "Time na Money"

The most precious gift given to man by God is time. Everything in life revolves around time and is bound by time. The success of every man is dependent on how you utilise your time. Why are some people very rich and some very poor? The rich have learnt the secret of time management and consumption.

Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. In the book titled 'The Value of Time', the author Shaykh ‘Abd al-Fattah Abu defines time as ‘the loftiest and most precious of all primary blessings......'

Time management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals complying with a due date. This set encompasses a wide scope of activities, and these include planning, allocating, setting goals, delegation, analysis of time spent, monitoring, organising, scheduling, and prioritising. Initially, time management referred to just business or work activities, but eventually the term broadened to include personal activities as well. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools, techniques, and methods. Usually time management is a necessity in any project development as it determines the project completion time and scope.

The end-product of a well utilized time is a fulfilled lifetime. Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. God created every man equal and gave us equal task and equal time. One big difference between the rich and the poor is that the rich know how to maximize his time very well.

Recently, a new word found its way into my vocabulary, its 'Value system' and as I meditate and reflex on life, I've discovered that everything in life, is hinged on our value system. What does this have to do with our subject matter 'Time', everything! The most valuable thing in a rich man's life is his time. God almighty in His sovereignty said, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens"(Eccl. 3:1)

TIME MANAGEMENT FACTORS

Managing one’s time isn’t rocket science, but it doesn’t come all that easy; if it were, then you won’t be needing these tips. To be a master of time management, there are certain things you must ensure are in place;

• Discipline; Right. We think we’re disciplined if we work all the time, but we’re not. Actually, that shows we lack discipline—we have no recovery discipline. But discipline is really nothing more than habit. We need to create the habit of oscillating between periods of stress and recovery. Once those habits become ingrained, you can act in a responsible way—being disciplined both in your work habits and in recovering from that stress—without even thinking about it.
• Finding your work energy; Don't spend all of your time working and Finding your work energy; It means creating the right atmosphere and environment; one that is free from tension and fatigue. Your energy is your driving force and moves you into action.
• Always find a balance; Creating a balance between work, family, friends and fun is a huge step towards becoming an effective time manager.
• Develop a ritual for yourself; Develop a success habit that becomes a ritual that you must observe on a daily basis. Some people's rituals involve tennis every afternoon in the court at the Human Performance Institute. People may think I’m goofing off but I’m not. It’s my way of being disciplined—and responsible

PRINCIPLES OF TIME

TIME IS A GIFT; Gifts are given only by people who care about you. So God loves us and He gave us the gift of time. But how you use it is your decision and it determines what your get in life.

TIME IS PRECIOUS; What is the most valuable thing on earth? Time, because everything is acquired in time and all of man's business is conducted by time. You could have food, clothing, fabulous homes, wisdom - have all you want, but if you do not have time, it means - you have nothing. This brings me back to the issue of 'Value system'. If you value this precious gift of time that has been given to us, you stand a chance of gaining a whole lot of fortune out of life.

TIME IS AN ASSET; A good investment of your time makes you an efficient time manager. Time is a valuable asset that determines the acquisition of every other thing; relationships, material wealth, etc. 'Time is money' always remember that and you waste it on something worthless. To fully enjoy this precious asset, one must learn to set priorities and learn to do what's most important.

For more information on time management, check my other articles on 'Effective Time Management'

• To understand the value of a year, talk to a student who has failed an important exam.
• To understand the value of a month, talk to a mother who has given birth to a baby a month before her due date.
• To understand the value of a week, talk to the publisher of a weekly newspaper.
• To understand the value of an hour, talk to a couple in love, who are separated and want only to be together again.
• To understand the value of a minute, talk to someone who has just missed a train or a plane.
• To understand the value of a second, talk to someone who has lost a loved one in an accident.
• To understand the value of a millisecond, talk to someone who won a silver medal at the Olympic Games. 

The success of Every man depends on his understanding of time and effective use of it.

FRIENDSHIP

by Theresa Otu

Frienship is what keeps our humanity and strengthens our relationships in this world. Even the creator calls us friends. It is priceless and precious to those who understand its worth.

Here is an extract from a friend of mine on true friendship. Enjoy this short article and apply it in your daily relationship with those around you.

"WHO IS YOUR TRUE FRIEND?

1. A true friend is always near, he/she loves and respects you.
2. A true friend rejoices in your fortunes and is not jealous of your success in life.
3. He/she adds to your happiness, shares your disappointments and helps you cope with your sorrows.
4. He/she is faithful to your aspirations ans is a trustworthy confidente.
5. A true friend enables your lives, brings out the best in you, inspires you to achieve greater intellectual and spiritual height. A true friend has an instiable thirst for knowledge and an ambition to improve.
6. A true friend always stand by you, in good and in bad times.
7. He/she appreciates you, without him, you are not what you are; one is never poor, even though his or her clothes maybe worn out and his purse is empty, if he still has the love and understanding of loyal friends.

"Indeed, true friendship lies in the affection and the comradeship between one human being and another" (Mahatma Gandhi).
Your true friend should tell better of you than you do".

The ship that should never sink is friendship.

YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET? (WKS)

Hey Listen buddy, got to tell you something really important

Life is full of secrets; to succeed, you must find the secrets and apply them in your everyday life. These simple principles apply to every sphere of life including work life and social life, Build your life upon certain values and develop the right mindset, perspective and attitude. Here are a few tips that can help set you in the right direction.

1. Five percent of the world populations are thinking, fifteen percent thinks that people are thinking, while eighty percent don't think.
2. A thinker is a planner and a planner is a builder.
3. Until you start to think the way God thinks, you can never make it in life.
4. The person of Jesus brings peace, while the principles of Jesus brings wealth.
5. People can never like you enough until they are in absolute control of your life.
6. Your enemy will envy what you have in order to kill you.
7. God does not condemn anybody, He has a plan for everyone.
8. Your tongue is the moulder of your life
   
9. Your determination today will determine your level tomorrow.
10. Do not trouble trouble, until trouble comes to trouble you. And if it does, try to forgive it.
11. You need unction to function well in life.
12. Refuse to be confused and accept to be comforted; because confusion brings trouble, while comfort brings peace.
13. Life is a course of decision and a channel of operation.
14. If you are connected above, you will operate on a higher platform.
15. Until you understand the power you operate with, you cannot impact people's lives
16. Prayerlessness is next to powerlessness
17. Your success in life depends on your ability to know your God.
18. Life has no duplicate so make the most of it while you still can.
19. Humility attracts mercy
20. There can be no good where there is no God.

ANGER MANAGEMENT: 10 TIPS TO TAME YOUR TEMPER

Keeping your temper in check can be challenging. Use simple anger management tips — from taking a timeout to using "I" statements — to stay in control.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Do you find yourself fuming when someone cuts you off in traffic? Does your blood pressure go through the roof when your child refuses to cooperate? Anger is a normal and even healthy emotion — but it's important to deal with it in a positive way. Uncontrolled anger can take a toll on both your health and your relationships.

Ready to get your anger under control? Start by considering these 10 anger management tips.

No. 1: Take a timeout

Counting to 10 isn't just for kids. Before reacting to a tense situation, take a few moments to breathe deeply and count to 10. Slowing down can help defuse your temper. If necessary, take a break from the person or situation until your frustration subsides a bit.

No. 2: Once you're calm, express your anger

As soon as you're thinking clearly, express your frustration in an assertive but nonconfrontational way. State your concerns and needs clearly and directly, without hurting others or trying to control them.

No. 3: Get some exercise

Physical activity can provide an outlet for your emotions, especially if you're about to erupt. If you feel your anger escalating, go for a brisk walk or run, or spend some time doing other favorite physical activities. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that can leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out.

No. 4: Think before you speak

In the heat of the moment, it's easy to say something you'll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything — and allow others involved in the situation to do the same.

No. 5: Identify possible solutions

Instead of focusing on what made you mad, work on resolving the issue at hand. Does your child's messy room drive you crazy? Close the door. Is your partner late for dinner every night? Schedule meals later in the evening — or agree to eat on your own a few times a week. Remind yourself that anger won't fix anything, and might only make it worse.

No. 6: Stick with 'I' statements

To avoid criticizing or placing blame — which might only increase tension — use "I" statements to describe the problem. Be respectful and specific. For example, say, "I'm upset that you left the table without offering to help with the dishes," instead of, "You never do any housework."

No. 7: Don't hold a grudge

Forgiveness is a powerful tool. If you allow anger and other negative feelings to crowd out positive feelings, you might find yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice. But if you can forgive someone who angered you, you might both learn from the situation. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to behave exactly as you want at all times.

No. 8: Use humor to release tension

Lightening up can help diffuse tension. Don't use sarcasm, though — it can hurt feelings and make things worse.

No. 9: Practice relaxation skills

When your temper flares, put relaxation skills to work. Practice deep-breathing exercises, imagine a relaxing scene, or repeat a calming word or phrase, such as, "Take it easy." You might also listen to music, write in a journal or do a few yoga poses — whatever it takes to encourage relaxation.

No. 10: Know when to seek help

Learning to control anger is a challenge for everyone at times. Consider seeking help for anger issues if your anger seems out of control, causes you to do things you regret or hurts those around you. You might explore local anger management classes or anger management counseling. With professional help, you can:

§  Learn what anger is

§  Identify what triggers your anger

§  Recognize signs that you're becoming angry

§  Learn to respond to frustration and anger in a controlled, healthy way

§  Explore underlying feelings, such as sadness or depression

Anger management classes and counseling can be done individually, with your partner or other family members, or in a group. Request a referral from your doctor to a counselor specializing in anger management, or ask family members, friends or other contacts for recommendations. Your health insurer, employee assistance program (EAP), clergy, or state or local agencies also might offer recommendations.

10 SECRETS TO SUCCESS

When God created man, He put in man the ability to be successful at what he does, thus; He commanded man saying multiply and replenish the earth and subdue it. But true success don't just come, there are character traits that one must possess in order to achieve success.

The Investor's Business Daily (IBD) spent years and devoted long working hours analyzing leaders and successful people in all works of life. They found that most of them had some of these character traits in common. For you who want to be successful, you should know and develop these traits too.

1. How you think is everything; always be positive, think success not failure. Beware of negative environments
2. Decide upon your true dreams and goals: write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.
3. Take action: goals are nothing without action, don't be afraid to get started now. Just do it!
4. Never stop Learning: Get back to school or read books. Get training and acquire skills.
5. Be persistent and work hard: Success is a marathon not a sprint. Never give up
6. Learn to analyse details: Get all the facts, all the inputs, learn from your mistakes
7. Focus your time and Money: Don't let others or things distract you.
8. Don't be afraid to innovate; be different: Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.
9. Deal and communicate with people effectively: No one is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others.
10. Be honest and dependable; take responsibility: Otherwise, numbers 1-9 won't matter.

NOTE; These are not the only secrets to success. You possess some unique characteristics that you haven't put to use yet. Rather than sit down and envy other people and blame society for your misfortunes, find out what you are doing wrongly and make it right. The power to be successful has been given to you, use it!

WINNING ATTITUDE - THE POWER OF THE MIND

“We are here to become great men and women, and with that purpose in view, we must eliminate everything in our religion and philosophy that tends to make the human mind a dependent weakling. If you would serve God and be truly religious, do not kneel before God, but learn to walk with God, and do something tangible every day to increase the happiness of mankind. This is religion that is worthwhile, and it is such religion alone that can please the Infinite.” 

― Christian D. Larson, Your Forces and How to Use Them

Your mind is your greatest asset and most important resources. Investing on your mind is the best investment ever. The reason is whatever we feed our mind with is what it produces back to us. Put it this way, your actions are a bye product of your thinking. Let us take for instance, if you keep telling yourself that you’re a failure, then you most certainly will fail. Not because you are not good at what you do, but because you feed your mind with the wrong information. Feed your mind with positivity, think about winning, think about that business working out just as you dream't it, think about you being the best in your job. There is more to what you can achieve. It doesn't just end with you sitting in that chair feeling depressed and all bitten down. Fix your mind on positive things long enough, you will see it come alive. What you think is what you see, what you see is what you become.

To become a winner, engage your mind in the following exercises

• Constant Learning; Don’t stop learning new things about your dream, job or that vision you want to achieve. Expand your learning to other fields as well. Become vast in your learning, it will broaden your horizon and open up new vistas to you and give you a clearer picture as to where you are going.
• Meditation and Brainstorming; Meditation is a practice where an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content, or as an end in itself (Wikipedia). This is one of the best mind exercises that a person can engage in. it opens the mind to the positive forces of nature and helps you ease off stress and anxiety. Meditate on your ideas and goals. In brainstorming on the other hand, you think deeply about your ideas, you ask crazy questions and even think out loud. Brainstorming can lead you to further research and study that will help you achieve your dreams.

The mindset of winners is without doubt, always firm on the truth and ready to defend it at all cost. To be a winner in whatever you do, you must first be true to yourself. Being and staying true to oneself is key to becoming a winner..