Category Archives: Uncategorized

MANAGERS DON’T HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS… RIGHT? I don’t think anybody would really believe that. Yet, somehow, the topic remains a kind of taboo in the world of managers. I was reminded of this recently when I read that it was World Mental Health Day. These days, it seems there’s a day for almost everything […]

“The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer” — Nolan Bushnell – Picture this: a lodge somewhere in the Delta. The manager walks the grounds early in the morning before the guests wake up. He notices the kitchen team preparing, the cleaners busy, the guides checking vehicles. He doesn’t own the lodge, but he […]

‘Listen more then you talk. Nobody learned anything by hearing themselves. [Richard Branson]’ When I first became a manager, I made the same mistake many new managers do: I thought I had to show how good I was. Every meeting felt like an opportunity to prove myself. I spoke too much, too quickly, and often […]

By someone who has stood on both sides of the desk. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when your manager asks to see you? If you’re like most people, the first thought probably isn’t, “This will be a nice surprise.” It’s more likely something along the lines of: “What did I do wrong?” […]

Some lessons in life only land the tenth time you hear them. I didn’t always know that. Early in my training career, I truly believed that one good workshop — full of smart insights, hands-on tools, and a few well-placed jokes — would change how people lead. You can guess how that went. A few […]

I once met a man—let’s call him Johan—who was the best technical specialist in his department. The kind of person who could solve problems others didn’t even see coming. Quiet, reliable, smart. His work was spotless. So, naturally, the company did what many do: they promoted him. “Congratulations, Johan. You’re now the new team manager.” […]

In the world of management, we often hear that it’s our job to “look after the team.” Managers are seen as pillars of support and guidance, responsible for creating a stable, thriving work environment. But the reality of leadership, particularly in high-pressure roles, is that it’s as mentally and emotionally demanding as it is rewarding. […]

When I left the army, I believed that my extensive leadership training would enable me to manage effectively in various situations. After all, I had been educated and trained in leadership, and I had quickly secured management positions in the civilian world. However, reality taught me that the military approach to leadership does not always […]

Slow down There are plenty of arguments to take it easy, to slow down. I find that, since living here in Botswana, ‘slowingdown’ comes naturally and it brings me a lot. If I compare my schedule now with the one of five years ago when I was living in the Netherlands, the difference becomes immediately […]