On Being Picked And Picking Others

I grew up playing cricket, soccer and rugby–team sports. And, when we played in the hood this meant having teams. By some unwritten universal rule, the two best players became captains. And, their task started with picking who would be on their team. There are many ghosts of crushed egos and self-esteems in playgrounds all …

The Rallying Point

Early in the movie, Saving Private Ryan, is a moment when soldiers attempt to beach at Normandy. Many soldiers take a bullet and don’t make it to shore. Dead in the water. The living soldiers are taking heavy fire. Then there’s the moment, a soldier asks John H, Miller (played by Tom Hanks), “What should we …

Need For A Healthy Cynicism Of Leadership

I wrote about what to do when those you look up to let you down a while ago. One of the most obvious things in that post hides in plain sight. In the title of the post. Do you see it? The thing I’m talking about is the fact that leaders or heroes can let …

The Nature Of Legacies – Remembering People

It’s about a year since Ahmed “Kathy” Kathrada passed away. Kathy fought apartheid alongside icons like Nelson Mandela. Mandela, South Africa and the world at large held Kathy in high esteem. I write this shortly after reading breaking news of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela‘s passing. Winnie fought apartheid. Her and Nelson were married at some point. She …

Changing Your Mind As A Virtue

“Changing mind as a virtue” is something I don’t remember ever hearing. People have spoken about it as their own prerogative. I’ve mostly come across a changing of one’s mind talked about as a weakness. A lack of backbone and captivity to whim. Changing your mind as a virtue is terribly undermined. Not doing so …