Leaders get time to think
This time it was the school principals who sat down for a lesson.
Seated next to them were local business leaders they partnered with in the Partners for Possibility (PfP) Programme.
The group attended a workshop, Time to Think, at the Koro Creek Golf Estate in Modimolle, aiming to promote excellence in listening to ignite superior thinking.
The Partners for Possibility Programme is a 12 month leadership development experience where business or community leaders are partnered with school principals in the area. The programme develops both the school principal to manage his or her school better, as well as the partner. The programme has received numerous international awards for having a positive impact on the schools in South Africa.
Time to Think facilitator, Lea Holtz, said that everything leaders do, start with thinking. “If our thinking is sound, our decisions will be clear, our actions will be good, our outcomes will be positive,” she said.
The workshop is based on the book “More time to think” by bestselling author Nancy Kline. The group thoroughly enjoyed the day and valuable lessons were learned, said Brenda Scrooby, Modimolle Circle facilitator. She is the main organiser and driving force behind this development opportunity in Modimolle, Mookgophong and Bela-Bela. The year-long leadership development programme for the Modimolle Circle is sponsored by the Development Bank of South Africa.
“After this workshop, I take away the thought that the thinking environment is like an age old key that has the power to unlock the human mind,” said Louise Buys.
“I was so excited to learn that the human mind functions better when faced with incisive questions,” was the opinion of Busi Mosupya, principal of Mokolo Primary School in Leseding.
Donald Matsethela of the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality made a profound discovery by claiming: “The mind that comes up with the question, is the very same mind that can come up with the best solution to that question.” He also referred to the value of independent thinking after the training took place.
“I most definitely learned to become a better and more attentive listener,” said Finika Laka, principal of Moape Secondary School in Bela-Bela.
Don Cook, one of the business leaders, said: “I appreciate learning the valuable fact that it is no longer necessary to provide snappy answers every time someone is sharing their thoughts with you. It is actually much better to listen attentively and refrain from sharing your own responses to their thoughts.”
