Profile of the Game Changers: Discovering authentic personal identity (Part 1) Article by Cynthia Hakutangwi As the world keeps evolving and its systems daily metamorphosing to adapt to the global village profile, life altering trends and innovations will be equally be determined by individuals with a game-changing mindset and profile. There are major phenomena which are profoundly altering the world’s landscape on various interfaces which range from advances in technology, to changing demographics and tastes, and the global recession amongst many others. All these dynamics continue to provide fertile ground for the emergence of new behaviours which demand more innovative ways of doing things and strategies to adapt to and benefit from the changes. In the multicoloured and multi-layered backdrop of all this, bellows a clarion call for game changers who will not only adapt but possess the strength of character to change the ways things are done. Game changing is one of many powerful words which may fast be losing its value because of its regular abuse where it is lazily thrown into “marketingspeak” and “managementspeak.” Oxford dictionaries defines a Game Changer as “an event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current way of doing or thinking about something.” The business dictionary further describes a game changer as “a person or idea that transforms the accepted rules, processes, strategies and management of business functions.” In the next series of articles we are going to examine and converse around the profile of the individual who can proudly stand above and beyond the rest to truly call themselves a game changer. Whilst we may also understand a game changer as that Aha-a moment where you see something that others do not, we want to embark on a journey of unearthing the transformational formula that builds the profile of the game changer. In this series we will consider twelve qualities, traits and attributes that are characteristic of individuals who possess the strength of character to take families, organizations, communities and nations from ordinary to extraordinary. Throughout the series we shall be referring to these as Game Changing (GC) Attributes. This article will profile the first three attributes; these are not presented in any particular order of significance. GC Attribute One: Personal Leadership and Transformation A game changer is a visionary. Personal leadership calls for individuals to lead themselves well before they lead others. This starts with them knowing and understanding their authentic personal identity. In this also lies the need to discover one’s purpose and decide to make deliberate efforts to allow personal transformation. By its very nature game changing has a way of reshuffling priorities and rearranging lives. In the absence of a clear purpose and goals individuals run the risk of losing the plot of their lives in the quest to becoming world proclaimed game changers at the expense of their souls. Personal leadership gains definition as we begin to respond to these questions: Who AM I? Why AM I here? Where AM I going? How will I get there? What will be my LEGACY? GC Attribute Two: Possess the courage to be a thought leader A game changer changes the way that something is done, thought about or made. Thought leaders are people of impact who invest in themselves not out of a selfishness which violates the values of others but rather with the greater perspective of improving their ability to serve, produce and contribute in meaningful ways. These individuals change the world in meaningful ways and engage others to join their efforts by providing best practice methods, processes and guidelines. They are foundational in their thinking and allow others to build on their successes void of a possessive ownership of ideas. They possess the ability to alter a business strategy and conceive an entirely new business plan which not only competes with competitors but sets new trends in the industry. The journey from leader to thought leader calls for intense monologues and brutal self introspection. Whilst thought leadership is highly impactful and attracts influence, platforms and growth, it does come with its fair share of risks as one enters the spotlight. One must prepare to face resistance. GC Attribute Three: Ability to think and see with a Relational lens The ability to challenge prescriptive hierarchies that dictate a simplistic approach to the management of relationships determines how much one’s relationships can usher them into another dimension and trajectory of life. The game changing relationship is the one that comes along and changes the familiar landscape of life and rearranges the previous order in new and unexpected ways. Fear and unhealthy alliance with our comfort zones often keep us away from discovering such relationships that change the course of our lives and world around us. We need to examine our critical relationships closely beyond their shape and size but rather in terms of their qualitative content and ability to take us to the next level of our destiny and calling. Join us again in the next issue as we explore and examine the next three Game Changing attributes. Cynthia is a Communications and Personal Development Consultant, a Life Coach, Author, and Strategist. She is the Managing Consultant of Wholeness Incorporated. “A passionate and fervent motivational speaker who speaks at seminars, workshops and conferences provoking people and institutions to challenge their comfort zones by imparting vital knowledge and information which can help them to live balanced lives and create trans-generational solutions.” E-mail: cynthia@wholenessincorporated First published by the Standard Style 7-14 sept 2014. thestandard.co.zw/standard-style/
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 11:06:29 +0000
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