We are often quite unaware of how our belief systems are influenced by various external factors, and how those beliefs may impact our decisions and actions. Not interrogating information that we are being fed on a daily basis could quite easily lead to a skewed view of reality, which may lead to inappropriate decisions or actions. Reflecting on how we have come to our conclusions should be standard practice for leaders.
When People Doing the Right Thing Stand Alone
9 September 2026
As we grow older, experience bends and reshapes the things we believe. Sometimes we see the reshaping and are consciously aware of where it takes us. Sometimes we only realise long after the fact that the bending happened. I have a long list of items that have been bent and reshaped in my consciousness. I am pretty sure that some of them are not yet in my conscious mind. I was recently reminded of one of my reshaped opinions when I was asked to speak at the University of Johannesburg’s annual Corruption Summit.
There was a time in my career when a younger version of me stood before professionals and told them that they must do the right thing—even when they had to stand alone. I said it with conviction, because it was the right thing to say. But, with more life experience under my belt, I now understand that I had a too narrow view back then.
