The document discusses building and sustaining a culture of strong character in workplaces, families, education, and communities. It outlines several challenges faced such as managerial issues, toxic leadership, and lack of values. Developing high character with skills and virtues is important. Character First is introduced as an organization that promotes character development through various programs and resources. The conclusion emphasizes that without character at the center, spheres like business and government can fail. Character is a lifelong process.

1. BUILDING AND SUSTAINING A CHARACTER-BASED CULTURE IN OUR WORKPLACE, FAMILIES, EDUCATION AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES. Mario Denton PhD Let's network. Tel (w) + 27(0) 82 88 29903. E-mail address: marden@mweb.co.za Website: www.strongmessage.co.za www.characterfirst.co.za

3. The Challenges We Face W HAT causes nations and organisations to FAIL ?

4. Mario’s research interest 1. Managerial cataracts 2. Executive blind spots/Managerial infertility 3. Professional workplace bullying 4. Toxic and dark side of leadership 5. Organisational Tribal warfare and terrorism 6. Managerial degeneration and derailment 7. Detoxifying the workplace- Swine viruses 8. Organisational Heart attacks

5. Corporate Sins: Prof Mervyn King Greed-self-interest Fear- Self-concern Sloth- Imbalance Pride- Egg on face Arrogance- we are right

6. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe “ We are struggling ourselves, as a new democracy in South Africa, to restore values … Values are never a given. They have got to be developed, worked upon, and consolidated on an ongoing basis. Because if at any given time we as a society or as sections of society become complacent about them, we run the risk of losing them…. We are therefore duty bound to try at all times to bring to the fore the values that bring us together as fellow South Africans, as human beings, united in our diversity .”

7. Low Productivity Carelessness Avoidable Accidents Distraction Poor Quality Stealing Poor Attendance Deception Tardiness Inconsistency Own Agenda Anger/Bitterness Rejection Disorganization Alcoholism/Drug Abuse Negligence Personal Problems Resistance Restlessness Unreliability Covetousness Self-indulgence Root Causes Visible Challenges Avoidable Accidents Carelessness Poor Quality Distraction Poor Attendance Tardiness Stealing Deception Low Productivity Inconsistency Anger/Bitterness Rejection

8. Before we repurpose a business we must repurpose the leader Source: Brett Johnson

9. “ I’m convinced that 90% of failures in life are character failures, not ability failures.” ~ Stephen Covey

10. The Five Practices ® Model the Way Inspire A Shared Vision Enable Others to Act Challenge the Process Encourage the Heart

11. High Character Low Skills High Character High Skills Low Character Low Skills Low Character High Skills

12. IQ and EQ and SQ Character Quotient Adapted Source: Dr Bruce Wilkinson 1 Physically Exhausted/Tired Energetic/Strong 2 Emotionally Discouraged/Down Encouraged/Up 3 Mentally Bored/Discontent Challenged/Content 4 Spiritually Depleted/Empty Growing/Full 5 Geographically Distant/Alone Near/Together 6 Relationally Alienated/Cold Close/Warm 7 Internally Hopeless/Sad Hopeful/Happy 8 Personally Insecure/Unsure Secure/Confident 9 Secretly Bitter/Angry Forgiving/Accepting 10 Deeply Wounded/Hurt Appreciated/Love

13. Perilous Times- 2 Tim 3: 1-5 In the last days perilous times will come For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy

14. Perilous Times- 2 Tim 3: 1-5 Unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, dispisers of good Traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God Having a form of godliness but denying its power

15. Conclusion: What happens if Character is not at the centre of each sphere? Business Pragmatism Education Idealism Family Tribalism (Individual- Anarchy) Finance and Capital markets Economic Bondage Government Statism Health Sciences Determinism (Abortion) Law Legalism Local Church Cultism, religious Wars Media and entertainment Humanism Non- Governmental organizations Environmentalism

16. C HARACTER ? What is The American Dictionary of the English Language defines character as “the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his response regardless of circumstances.”

17. Who We Are Character First! was founded by Tom Hill of Kimray, Inc. to encourage personal character development in the lives of his employees. Our History

18. United States Mexico Canada Brazil Paraguay Australia Indonesia New Zealand Singapore Malaysia Mongolia Korea Taiwan China Countries Where Character First Operates Romania India Turkey South Africa, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia and Nigeria

19. CHARACTER FIRST! The Definition of Character Character Qualities ® Alertness Attentiveness Availability Benevolence Boldness Cautiousness Compassion Contentment Creativity Decisiveness Deference Dependability Determination Diligence Discernment Discretion Endurance Enthusiasm Faith Flexibility Forgiveness Generosity Gentleness Gratefulness Honor Hospitality Humility Initiative Joyfulness Justice Loyalty Meekness Obedience Orderliness Patience Persuasiveness Punctuality Resourcefulness Responsibility Security Self-control Sensitivity Sincerity Thoroughness Thriftiness Tolerance Truthfulness Virtue Wisdom

20. Available Resource Pocket Guide

21. New courses Don't send any person on any course/programme if the participants don’t have to answer the following questions at the end of the programme: As a result of attending this programme what do we as an organisation or you as an individual have to do more of, less of, differently, faster and better ?

22. Personal Character scorecard An organisational balanced scorecard without a personal balanced/wellness scorecard will never get off the ground . It is like flying an aeroplane with only one engine or one propeller.

23. Stop putting people on quick-fix programmes Character Development is a process not a programme. Learning is not only about input; it must also have components of reflection, commitment, application and feedback.

24. Management simulation Send all your managers on a character simulation annually. Why must Boeing 747 pilots do a simulation test before they can renew their licences every year?

25. Twice a year, ask two character-based questions as a manager to the rest of your team: What would you do if you were in my position? What is stopping you from delivering your peak performance?

26. On being President (of South Africa) This has placed a great responsibility on my shoulders. We enter into a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity – a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world. To be the father of a nation is a great honour, but to be the father of a family is a greater joy.

27. Unashamedly Ethical

28. Basil Gadzios

30. Character First Breakfast session – Spectacle World

31. Character First at George Hospital

32. Character First - Nigeria

33. City Of Cape Town: Water and Sanitation

34. Character First in Ghana

35. Metropolitan Namibia

36. Character Development is a Life Long Process But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in your conduct, because it is written: Be holy for I am holy. 1 Peter 1: 15-16

37. Let the rest of your life Be the BEST of your life!

38. God has a program of character development for each one of us. He wants others to look at you and say: He walks with God, for he lives like Christ. Edwin W Lutzer

39. Overall people change approach Drivers Gaps Threat CREATE DISCOMFORT End state Architecture PICTURE THE FUTURE Business case EXPLAIN THE BENEFITS Road map EXPLAIN THE JOURNEY Survey Diagnosis READINESS ASSESSMENT AWARENESS PHASE Release plans Object plans Change plans EXPLAIN CHANGE PLAN Exposure to prototype ‘ SNIGGER’ TESTING Comm. pilot site results Celebrate successes CREATE EXPECTATIONS Learning new skills/knowledge-ge/attitude PREPARE FOR REALITY People Systems Infrastructure IMPLEMENT REALITY TRANSFORMATION PHASE KPI’S Feedback PA MEASURE SUCCESS RETRAINING DEPLOYMENT Small teams PROBLEM SOLVING Rewards Recognition CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PHASE REWARDS RECOGNITION Remedial

41. “ You are unique and different. You are a loved and valuable person. God has a wonderful plan of significance for your life. You can live a life full of abundance and significance if you trust in Him. He will give you the desires of your heart. ” Mario and Mariene Closing comments

42. Make a difference wherever you go? Be significant – stand out. Mario Denton