Tributum Newsletter #46
It’s done…well almost. Last minute work, last minute shopping, last minute whatever. Some newsletters are more difficult than others, but I’ve been presented with 3 interesting items early in December already that will be covered over the next three months.
In a video posted on LinkedIn Gary Vaynerchuk (Vayner Media) discusses why he think competition is a good thing and he attributes a lot of the anxiety of today’s youth to the fact that they don’t learn to deal with disappointment, or the fear of disappointment. They are being rewarded just for showing up – 8th place also gets a ribbon. Or worse yet, there is competition but there are no winners or losers, everyone is a winner. Unfortunately, life is not the Oprah show where everyone gets something. Life is tough, life is unfair. We should be taught how to deal with that. Our children should be taught. Not to like losing, but to accept it as part of life. And to deal with it honourably like Japan did with their World Cup exit. To be graceful in defeat and humble in winning. That you are never too good to look and clean up after yourself.
And winning is difficult. I’m reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (again) and the England v France quarterfinal is a good example. It’s not always the team that plays the best that win, or the brightest person that is successful. It the one that steps up in the big moment and does what needs to be done when it counts. You will run yourself ragged trying to be great all the time. Make sure that you’re great when it matters. For the rest, being good enough is, well, good enough.
Regrettably, it was not for Andre de Ruyter. It’s no shock that he resigned, although I believe it is unfortunate. He has been at the helm for 5 years and arguably he should have done more in that time. But with no money, a culture of corruption and now of sabotage, and lack of support from his bosses there was only so much he could do. In the case of Eskom, I don’t think any jockey will make a positive difference, but we should hope that Eskom does not get saddled with a poor one.
The Phala-Phala debacle has made it even more difficult to support Oom Cyril for President. While there are some serious questions, there are also those with some legal knowledge that suggest he has done little wrong. But you cannot be half pregnant or just half innocent. The problem is which jockey if not him? Whatever the outcome, it will have a large influence on 2023.
Thank you for all the support in 2022, and thanks to you that have read the Newsletters in 2022, even if it was just one. Have a blessed festive season, travel safely when you do and all the best for 2023. Until next year, keep breathing.