Developing Valuable IT Project Leaders - Wayne Botha, Botha Consulting

"I arrived late to the session and still found value in the presentation. Great Tips!! "
Toastmaster District Conference Attendee

When We ...

In the 1980's, serving in the South African Defense Force (SADF), I interacted with WhenWe's. WhenWe's were ex-Rhodesian soldiers who had fled south and joined the South African Defence Force. Apparently, in their minds, everything in the SADF was wrong and required their critique. The tell-tale sign of an ex-Rhodesian was "When we were back in Rhodesia, we did xxx."

They lived in the past - all the time. (Many times the same thing happens when ex-South African's get together in the USA and talk about how great the past was. If it is so great, then why aren't you there? It makes me sick and ... more

Where to find best practices

We often seek to implement "best practices" so that we get the best results in the most efficient and effective ways possible.

Research shows that "best practices" are not as transferable as we would like. The procedures and practices that worked on project x normally don't work on project Y, because the practices are specific to the situation and project organization of the project.

The question is "Where do I get best practices?" The answer is "Keep your eyes and ears open."

For example, I was leading a project that was recognized for exceptionally smooth vendor relationships. This organ... more

"Meet and Greet" on steroids - Best practices to maximize opportunities to build professional relationships

Imagine you have the opportunity to meet an important person for your career advancement. You want to make a great first impression as well as lay the foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship in the future. How can you maximize this opportunity?

Here are the best practices to follow:
1. Before the meeting, do your homework. Research the person. Simply conduct an Internet search on the person's name and see what you can find out in a few minutes. Think of how you can reference this during your meeting.
2. Imagine yourself in that person's situation. What challenges do you think she i... more

Why I donate time and money to Relay for Life events

Where were you on October 18, 2004 at 2:45 PM? You probably don't remember. I wouldn't remember either, if it were not for the events of that afternoon. My knees went weak as Dr. Kennedy said "Wayne, you have cancer. I am scheduling urgent surgery for Friday at noon. Be there".

(Apparently Dr. Kennedy slept through "Empathy 101" in medical school.)

Among the multiple reasons that I support Relay for Life is that I am living with cancer.( I can't bring myself to proclaim that I am a cancer survivor, although anyone who continues to live after a diagnosis is technically a survivor.)

Americ... more

Strengths Deployment Inventory (SDI )

How would your team's productivity increase if everyone on the team had the skills to work together as a team? What would it be worth to you if your conflicts were the path to greater understanding and stronger relationships instead of destructive emotions and lasting grudges?

If you are asking these questions, then your solution may be through the work of Dr. Elias Porter. Dr. Porter created the SDI to help people manage conflict and improve teams. SDI is a suite of tests and pragmatic methodology that empower people to improve relationships and manage conflict m... more

Feet to the Fire CD Set- Your key to reaching goals this year

Ed Tate, the 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking used an Accountability Partnership to become world champion and to build an exemplary professional speaking business.

What goals do you want to reach this year? Would you like to use the same proven principles to reach your goals? Or are you willing to waste a year in trying to reach goals without a proven method?

The key to consistently finishing the tasks you set for yourself in your life is an Accountability Partnership. But how does it work? Who can you learn from?

Elizabeth Trendowski (an award winning speaker) and I are accountabili... more