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1. Mindset Shifter.

I've been speaking professionally for over 5 years now - and having conducted over 100 public seminars, and presented more than double that number of in-house talks, I now have a good idea of what people most want me to speak about - hence a subtle re-branding exercise has been done.

If you'd like to check it out, here's a lightening quick overview on what you can find on http://www.pauldutoit.net: Over 60 Congruence newsletter articles, a member's section for Gold Subscribers with a bunch of hand picked quotes and presentation tips, my profiles, all the packaged talks, master of ceremonies tips and services, a photo gallery, forthcoming seminar schedule at a glance now on the home page, seminar bookings, client list, testimonials, contact details and subscriber form plus DVD products. If you do have a look, please mail your thoughts to mailto:director@congruence.co.za - I would appreciate your comments, insights and of course bookings!

2. Leadership is about Doership.

*feature article*

I recently asked the top speaking bureaus in South Africa what their most requested topic is. There was no hesitation: "Leadership" came the reply. Although this answer surprised me at first, it made more sense on reflection. All team results depend on quality of leadership. Without visionary leadership there can seldom be sustainable results. And in our country there is constant talk about a genuine skills shortage and leadership shortfall. Why?

This is because, as obvious as it may sound, leaders need to know how to lead, and many don't have a clue - which brings up the question "are they really leaders?". In real business promotion to positions of responsibilty are out of necessity linked to performance. However, "Leaders to be" in government and monopolies very often arrive at the top by playing the political game. When they are faced with the opportunity to really lead, they carry on doing what they did to get there - playing games. Leaders who spend their time playing politics seldom have time or the focus to lead. These people never make the transition to leadership in the true sense and remain politicians only.

Can politicians be leaders? Yes they can and indeed some are, if they have integrity and learn to apportion the bulk of their time on leading and not politiking. But you can't lead effectively unless you want to and you believe you can, nor will you know if you can until you genuinely give it a shot.

Last June I was given the opportunity to lead the South African professional speaking community for 14 months. I was fortunate to experience the guidance of a leader who had gone there before, and at that time was leader of the world body. The advice he gave me was simple, yet critically effective to me. Paul Bridle told me: "Take what your predecessor has done and put your stamp on it. Above all, be your own man."

My term taught me some important points and confirmed others that I'd heard but not had the opportunity to try out:

• Take counsel from those who have gone before you, but learn from both their successes and mistakes
  
  
• Understand that there are many different styles of leadership. Each different style brings a valuable perspective to the role. It is important however that the right style comes at the right time. It often does.
  
  
• The positional leader is not always the real leader. The real leader is the one with the influence.
  
  
• Leadership is not a popularity contest. Often you will be criticised, and sometimes you will be required to make unpopular decisions.
  
  
• The most effective leaders understand that leadership is about taking responsibility for everything, the good and the bad. Rooseveld had a paque on his desk which famously proclaimed: "The buck stops here."
  
  
• Leaders are ultimately judged on the legacy they leave. No leader has ever been immortalised for maintaining the status quo.

These are big, bold statements. But here comes the biggest one of all. I learned a long time ago that the best players don't necessarily make the best coaches and that the best salesmen don't necessarily make good managers. It follows then that those that speak on leadership are not all effective leaders themselves - indeed perhaps they will never need to be. The best leaders are the doers, the ones that delegate the small stuff so that they can get on with the important stuff. The ones that show up, arrive first and leave last. You see, you can't keep a good leader down. Eventually they simply emerge.

But beware of making the mistake of assuming that the CEO or President is the leader. They may be, and equally likely, they may not be. Leadership can only be real when you've earned the respect, established your influence, and paid your dues - it doesn't come with the title alone.

'Till next time!

Paul du Toit.

3. Key Leadership Perspectives - 9 November evening seminar....

Paul Bridle CSP - Leadership Methodologist.

Ronnie Muhl - SA's 2006 Everest Man.

I'm afraid you're going to have to move on this one as bookings close Tuesday 7 November at 16h30. The seminar is this Thursday evening 9 November at the FNB Conference Centre, 114 Grayston Drive, Sandown, Sandton. Go to http://www.congruence.co.za for details or phone share call 0860 503 191. This will be a special occasion not to be missed by anyone seriously interested in improving their leadership skills

4. Presentation Skills.

The last two programmes of the year take place in Windhoek 20-21 November and Sandton 5-6 December. For these and a list of other public 2 day programmes for the remainder of 2006 in Gauteng, you can click here

5. Being a Business Warrior.

Imagine being a small business, but having a forum of friends and colleagues on tap, any time for anything - be it to help you find a secretary or bookkeeper, solve a porblem, get a reliable plumber or electrician, untangle some confusing legislation that affects you...heck, its a lot easier when you're not alone! Peter Carruthers has developed a powerful network of 2500 small business owners called Business Warriors in South Africa. Check out the site please go here

I've been a Business Warrior for some time now. If you're not, it's so very easy to become one.