This interview was a deep psychological analysis of the state of affairs in South Africa and our void of authentic and conscious leadership. Given such a despondent picture with spiking levels of frustration and anxiety in the population, what can the average person do to still feel empowered in some way? And what are the kinds of things we need to be doing (or conversations we need to be having) in order to shift into more authentic dialogue with diverse others who may be very different to me?

2. THE SECRET TO UNLOCKING
PERSONAL MOTIVATION, POWER
and
ENGAGEMENT
( MAXIMISED PRODUCTIVITY )
in your staff

3. We live in an increasingly
IMPERSONAL
world
People today - especially millennials - want to be seen and treated as
unique, diverse and multi-layered human beings.
They want to be empowered and engaged - for their work to deeply
resonate with their passions and values, bringing meaning, purpose and
value to their life and the lives of others.

4. AFFIRMATION
Let’s be clear here: this is no simple emotional need. It’s UNIVERSAL
It drives ALL human behaviour & is at the core of our psychological wellbeing.
It’s even part of our neurology - “mirror neurons”
It develops our very SELF, IDENTITY & UNIQUE PERSONALITY
From our 1st breath, we are wired to be recognised, acknowledged, SEEN
Self -esteem, Autonomy, Empowerment
And it’s the doorway to unleashing
in your staff

5. AFFIRMATION is not Pollyanna-like sunshine and roses
And it has nothing to do with ‘The Secret’…
It is the PRESENCE required to SEE and acknowledge the
FULL AUTHENTIC HUMANITY of the other
And it is the key that allows me to dream and grow into the
possibility of who I can become. . .

6. All of this is solidly grounded
in the latest research…
Positive Psychology
Intrinsic Motivation
Behavioural Economics
Neuroscience

7. POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Fix what’s broken
pathology)
Build on
what IS working?
(health)
Paradigm Shift
AFFIRMATION
APPRECIATIVE ENQUIRY
methodology

8. It’s about
appreciating the POSITIVE

9. (Shawn Achor TED, Harvard - 13 million + views)
75% of job successes are predicted by your optimism levels,
social support and ability to
see stress as a challenge instead of as a threat.
You’re 37% better at sales ”
“Only 25% of job successes are predicted by IQ.
Proof for the positive
In just a 2-min span of time for 21 days in a row, we can actually rewire your
brain, allowing you to work more optimistically and successfully. .. Write down 3
new things you grateful for… write one positive email affirming / thanking
someone in your support network.”

10. EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION —> INTRINSIC
INTRINSIC
MOTIVATION
Prof. Julian Elliott
(Durham University
School of Education)
Prof. Carl Haywood
(Vanderbilt University
Dept. of Psychology &
Human Development)
Autonomy
(vs hierarchy)
AFFIRMATION
Mastery
(vs disempowerment)
Purpose
(vs disengaged)

11. Autonomy
(e.g. in order to deliver customer expectations)
“The drive to DIRECT your life”
Mastery
(e.g. intimate product knowledge
& interpersonal skills)
“The desire to GROW where it matters”
Purpose “The yearning to do what we do in order
to serve something larger than ourselves”
(e.g. to feel that delivering the desired
customer experience builds society too)
INTRINSIC MOTIVATION leads to
DESIRED CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE…

12. Traditional notions of management are great if all
you want COMPLIANCE.
But if you want ENGAGEMENT. . .
Self-direction works much more powerfully.
WHAT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO:

13. Behavioural Economics - Neuroscience
The part of the
brain that
drives buying
‘I feel like it’
“I resonate emotionally with the brand,
because it AFFIRMS me
in all my authentic uniqueness”