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 ?

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

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

20. Available Resource Pocket Guide

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

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