A Life of significance

Man’s Best-laid Plans

The 18^th-century Scottish poet Robert Burns in his poem, To a Mouse, wrote, The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.  A mouse might understand the original version better.

It is so.

There are times that we should listen to the universe… our best laid plans might need adjusting.

Today is one of those occasions.

My plan was to summarise our stepping stones thus far in our quest to practice Influential Leadership in our workspaces and then conclude with an examination of how we create a culture of iLeadership through our personal behaviours—whether the CEO, manager, teacher or receptionist.

That On Leadership edition will arrive on Spring Day.

Corporate Speak is NOT Culture

I bet you have had the same experience I am about to describe.

You arrive at a corporate park, an office, a school room, even at homes, and you find mottos, proverbs and quotes plastered all over entrances, walls, boardrooms and reception areas.

Mostly these ‘sayings’ are in serious Latin or from the pens of high-profile personages or admired books.

I am seldom sure what their purpose might be—whether they reflect the nature of the business or are for the people who work there or for the visitors, or just part of the furniture.

Mostly, I suspect, it is the latter—they are simply ‘nice sounding words’ that market a particular notion of ‘how we would like to be’ or ‘be seen to be’.  In my experience, the more numerous these plaques, the less their effect is on the people in the organisation.  It is as if the words take away people’s need to demonstrate the words—just pin up a few great soundbites, then continue as usual.

However, sometimes we come across an institution that seems to actually live their motto, and if not, we can at least take it away with us for application in our own lives.

Such is the experience I had this past week, which I share with you as it also says something about creating a culture of iLeadership.

What is a Significant Life?

If you did not read the quotation in the opening infographic, please pause and do so now.  Think through its meaning and see who penned it.

As a South African I tend to avoid referring to Mr Nelson Mandela too much as one can fall into the trap of overuse and person-worship.  Nelson Mandela certainly exercised Influential Leadership at great Leadership Moments.  That is undeniable, but like the rest of us he also missed many and failed at others.  That is why we are only Influential Leaders at those Leadership Moments where we get it right—it is NOT ‘once saved always saved’ in the world of Influential Leadership.

On Wednesday morning I walked into the foyer of a major South African enterprise.

The first staff I met were cleaners.  They looked up and smiled at me, greeting me in return when I said, ‘Good morning ma’am’.

I was early for my appointment, so I reclined in a sleepable chair to watch the passing parade, facing the bustling reception area- some businesses never close.

I noticed lots of eye contact and open expressions amongst the reception staff of all hues and genders.

It was there that I saw the large, white text on a black background—on the wall behind the long L-shaped reception counter—Mr Mandela’s words.

Yes Me, Yes You = We

Mr Mandela’s words are aimed directly at our conversation and journey towards practicing Influential Leadership in our workspaces:

• Personal Agency:  Yes, I am important, I must act for my own best interests and maximise my benefits.
• Social Agency:  We live and function in a society, in families, teams, workspaces, in collectives, so it is not me alone on my island, it is Me and You!  My importance, my benefits and significance rises as I lift your life…

Neither Mandela’s words, nor my reinterpretation of them are new.  We all know the principle, the challenge is practicing life and work in a win-win manner rather than in a zero-sum way, which we seem to default to.

Think about the following metaphor that illustrates personal success vs. a life of significance.

A life of significance is a life measured not just by what you achieve by yourself and for yourself, but by the productive difference you make in the lives of others and in the world around you.

It is the distinction between success and significance:

• Success is often about personal goals—wealth, status, recognition and comfort.
• Significance is about collective and lasting impact—the enduring value you create for people, communities and causes beyond yourself.

Influential Leadership provides an architecture that grounds and guides us towards Mandela’s life of significance.

Regards,
Colin Donian
Karoo Founder & CEO
Influential Leadership is for a Life of Significance

Leadership Note # 3425 | 25.08.25
e: colind@karoo.world
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