BEER AND BASEBALL LEADERSHIP TOOLS

  • Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Author:  Colin Browne

Short Description

Sharing a grand vision is important, but often employees want to know they’re being led by someone who also has two feet firmly on the ground with BEER AND BASEBALL Many years back, I sat in an audience, watching my CEO hitch up his pants in between sentences, sip from his water, and mumble about […]

Sharing a grand vision is important, but often employees want to know they’re being led by someone who also has two feet firmly on the ground with BEER AND BASEBALL

Many years back, I sat in an audience, watching my CEO hitch up his pants in between sentences, sip from his water, and mumble about how proud he was to be the leader of a great team.

Except that he wasn’t. Not really. That was obvious for everyone to see. Instead, he was divorced, dissociated and distant; desperately awkward in front of the people he was charged with leading.

And for the most part, the favour was returned. In the few moments he set aside for mingling after his address, the conversations were vague with all the warmth of a maths exam.

Why? Because there wasn’t anything to hitch an engaging conversation to.

Politicians, or at least their strategists, understand that winning people’s support isn’t always about vision, strategy or a pithy articulation of the issues. There is a very clear reason why the President of the United States gets handed a baseball mitt for a quick game of catch in front of the press photographers, when Air Force One touches down on the tarmac, or why the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom pops into a local pub for a beer when he’s out gathering votes.

Without such 2 moments, those leaders are hard to separate from their wealthy families, top educations and privileged backgrounds, which themselves offer only an embarrassing comparison to that of their would-be electorate.

BEER AND BASEBALL INCREDIBLE LEADERSHIP TOOLS

If they have one thing in common, leaders of highly engaged organisations are great at creating a compelling personal narrative separate from their professional roles.

Ooba sales head Bradd Bendall has built a niche as a ridiculously well informed rugby pundit. His #DearHeyneke posts during the reign of the hapless Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer earned a broad readership and nearly spun off a range of t-shirts (Meyer stepped down too soon, unfortunately).

Sage ONE boss Steven Cohen rides a motorcycle to work, is a self-avowed fan of alternative rock band Radiohead and is known for his casual dress sense and even more casual language. During his monthly addresses to the entire company, he pulls no punches in saying things exactly as he sees them.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin often joined in a game of beach volleyball on the company’s campus, with the other Googlers.

Politicians know that creating easy points of connection helps to build a narrative that is key to winning mass votes. It’s probably no different for you.

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY COLIN BROWNE,

 

Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter

The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

Similar to BEER AND BASEBALL LEADERSHIP TOOLS

rob caskie

28 DECEMBER 2021 ~ ST ANDREWS BAY, STROMNESS AND LEITH STATIONS by Rob Caskie “South Georgia is for those who grew up dreaming of a Garden of Eden, where you walk unharmed among abundant and fearless wildlife in a beautiful wilderness – an oasis of serenity in a world increasingly out of step with Nature.” […]

  • Author: Rob Caskie

Mastering Success: The Art of Business Strategy Speakers Introduction In the dynamic world of business, success is not merely the result of chance or luck but the outcome of strategic planning, innovation, and relentless determination. Business strategy speakers serve as beacons of inspiration and wisdom, guiding organizations and individuals through the complexities of the corporate […]

  • Author: WeSpeak Global
JJ DiGeronimo

In a recent CIO article (Great IT Leaders Must Have This Trait)  talking about the traits of Successful Women in the technology world, it mentions the importance of being a connector. When you think about it, it doesn’t matter what your industry; being a connector has value in all walks of life. A friend of […]

  • Author: JJ DiGeronimo
Douglas Kruger - Culture and Leadership - Experts don't disqualify themselves

On Culture and Leadership, WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE SAFER THAN A RIGID RULE…? Can debate produce greater safety than rules? Isn’t the iron-clad rule a surer safeguard against disaster? We tend to think of organisations like NASA as having more or less the same basic character despite the passage of years. But it’s not necessarily […]

  • Author: Douglas Kruger
WS Logo 512

The key to unlock your personal POWER OF SELF-DISCOVERY lies in your identity, it all begins and end with you. Your Identity is your authority. Your life is the fruit of your identity. Success therefore begins with you! During my preparation of the 2nd installation of the #BIOConnect Vision Crafting and Strategic Planning Webinar that […]

  • Author: Nokuthula Magwaza
WS Logo 512

I had been begging my dad for ages, and my wall was full of Bruce Lee posters. I wanted to know how to fight! The difference between life and death in a sticky situation could come down to KNOWING what you know. Then one afternoon, he drove up the driveway and said: “Get in, we’re […]

  • Author: Mark Grobbelaar
Dr. Floyd Spence | Top Of Your Game

Power posing for success is a simple strategy that you can use to reduce anxiety, improve your ability to deal with stress, and boost your confidence. Besides, it takes less than two minutes and produces immediate results. Adopting a Wonder Woman’s pose might change your results or even your short and long-term success. Power Posing […]

  • Author: Dr Floyd Spence
WS Logo 512

Culture and Talent Retention is a real challenge and employees are looking for organizations that inspire them, uplift them and create opportunities for growth and progression. Of significant importance to retaining people is the ability of an organization to create alignment between what they say and what they actually do. Misalignment of value systems is […]

  • Author: Nimee Dhuloo

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME