Human Experience as Our Superpower

“Human Experience as Our Superpower” – JHB Chapter Meeting 20^th June 2024

Compiled By Adrienne Leussa (membership) and Saul Rosenberg (Marketing).

The Joburg chapter Meeting took place on 20 June at the Excellerate Head Office in Hyde Park. Guest Speakers were Brad Shorkend, Nikki Bush and guest new member Fiona Emwanu. We had an insightful and engaging evening looking at improving business and presentation. A rich trove of practical advice and real-world insights. This event not only provided deep insights into effective leadership and adaptability but also offered a masterclass in how to handle unexpected challenges in professional settings

The underlying theme for the meeting was “ Human Experience as Our Superpower” highlighting the intrinsic human aspects that contribute to professional and personal success.

Brad Shorkend is a renowned behavioral specialist and co-founder of Still Human – an organization dedicated to helping businesses around the world remain relevant by creating exceptional employee experiences and being innovation ready always, ultimately becoming companies behaving awesomely. Brad’s passion for improving the human side of work extends to everyone, including professional speakers.

Brad engaged offered a rich offering of practical advice and real-world insights

His focus on creating exceptional employee experiences and maintaining innovation readiness is especially relevant for you, our PSASA members, who are navigating the complexities of leadership in diverse environments. Here are a few highlights from Brad’s session:

1. Psychological Safety: Brad emphasizes the critical importance of establishing a work environment where individuals feel safe to share their thoughts and ideas. This sense of psychological safety is pivotal for fostering open communication and innovation. As you lead your teams, consider how you can create such an environment where every member feels secure and valued, thereby enhancing collective problem-solving and creativity.
2. ROI from Investing in People: Shorkend challenges conventional views by redefining ROI to focus on human capital. Investing in the well-being and development of your teams can yield significant returns in productivity, loyalty, and brand advocacy. Reflect on how you can actively support your team’s growth and well-being, understanding that their success directly contributes to the robustness and sustainability of your business.
3. Incorruptible Leadership and Accountability: He advocates for incorruptible leadership, where leaders are consistently ethical, transparent, and accountable. This form of leadership not only builds a strong foundation of trust but also sets a high standard for your entire organization. As you mold the future leaders within your networks, strive to embody these qualities, ensuring that your leadership fosters a culture of integrity and respect.

Implementing these principles can significantly impact how you manage and grow your organizations. By prioritizing human-centric management and creating a supportive, innovative, and accountable workplace, you are not only enhancing your business’s operational success but also contributing to a more balanced and fulfilling work environment for everyone involved.

To learn more about Brad Shorkend’s methodologies and how they can transform your organization, visit his website at Brad Shorkend – STILL HUMAN.

Nikki Bush is an award-winning Human Potential Expert, Consultant, Speaker and Author. She helps leaders and teams and organizations, she is often referred to as the talent whisperer by her clients, who talk about the Nikki effect. Nikki helps leaders Reframe disruption, future proof themselves through self—leadership, build strategies, create stronger teams, lead and in engage in a hybrid world, future-proof the next generation.

Nikki Bush, a seasoned speaker renowned for her engaging and adaptive presentation style, provided profound insights during her session that exemplify her expertise in leadership and resilience. Here are three key takeaways including how she achieves what many refer to as “the Nikki effect,”:

1. Adaptability and Engagement: Nikki demonstrated her exceptional ability to adapt quickly to unexpected circumstances, such as a low turnout at an event. By rearranging the seating to create a more intimate environment and physically engaging with the audience beyond the stage, she ensured that the presentation remained impactful. Her use of interactive elements like toys and direct audience participation breaks down barriers and deeply engages attendees, making each session not only informative but also enjoyable.
2. Personalization of Experience: Nikki’s approach to personalizing interactions with attendees, such as using detailed name tags to incorporate personal facts into the conversation, significantly enhances the connection with her audience. This attention to detail ensures that each participant feels valued and significant, transforming potential challenges into opportunities for growth and deeper engagement.
3. Professionalism and Commitment to Success: Nikki’s dedication to the success of both the event organizers and her audience underscores her professional ethos. She exemplifies how treating every speaking opportunity with the utmost care, regardless of the size or nature of the event, can build a positive reputation and open doors to future opportunities. Her ability to adapt her content to meet the unexpected interests of her audience further demonstrates her commitment to providing value, making her a trusted and highly effective speaker.

These takeaways highlight Nikki Bush’s unique ability to create memorable and impactful experiences through adaptability, personalized engagement, and unwavering professionalism. Nikki used the questions Fiona posed after the event as a teaching moment, not only for Fiona but also as a masterclass for the entire chapter meeting. This mentoring approach highlights Nikki’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and demonstrates her role as a mentor, reinforcing her commitment to the professional development of others in the field .

For more insights from Nikki Bush and to explore her services, please visit her website at Nikki Bush.

Guest Fiona Emwanu is a new PSASA member and recently attended a corporate event where Nikki Bush was the speaker

Fiona Emwanu, a new member of PSASA, owner of PARENTS LOOKING FORWARD and PCI Certified Parent Coach®, shared her unique perspective as an attendee and an aspiring professional speaker. Fiona’s qualities include:

• Proactive Learning: She actively seeks learning opportunities by attending events and engaging with experienced speakers.
• Engagement and Initiative: Fiona’s approach to take initiative, compliment openly, ask questions, and engage with Nikki is exemplary for anyone looking to enhance their speaking career.
• Reflective Practice: Her commitment to reflection and continuous improvement is commendable, showcasing her potential as a future thought leader in parenting and personal development.

This conversation between Nikki and Fiona is a brilliant example of how resilience, adaptiveness, and a genuine connection with the audience can turn potential challenges into powerful opportunities for growth and impact.

Fiona’s journey and insights can be further explored through her professional profile on LinkedIn at Fiona Emwanu.

PSASA Joburg Committee Planning Meeting

The meeting also introduced the new PSASA Joburg Chapter Executive Committee for the 2024/5 term. This session included designation of the roles available on the committee for the PSASA Johannesburg chapter for the upcoming year. The needs of each role and its outputs were discussed, as were overall committee requirements. People matched their capabilities to specific roles. . The team is set with diverse talents including Gary Tintinger as Chapter President. This new leadership promises an exciting direction with innovative plans to support speakers in their professional journeys. The new committee members showed enthusiasm and commitment. They all gathered on stage during the event for a group photograph (below).

The new Exco members are:

• Chapter President: Gary Tintinger
• Immediate Past President: Steven Johnson
• Deputy President: George Mutendadzamera,
• Education and Speaker Liaison: Gadifele Moeng
• Event Planning & Co-ordinating: Kerry Tintinger + Diana Rodrigues
• Conference Co-ordinator: Kim Vermaak + Ian Braat + Mandy Herold
• Member Liaison: Adrienne Leussa + Nick Smit
• Marketing and Communication: Saul Rosenberg + Colin Skelton + Linda Magennis

Conclusion: A Community Committed to Growth and Empathy

The gathering was not only a showcase of expert knowledge but also a testament to the power of community and the shared commitment to bettering the world of professional speaking. This PSASA Johannesburg Chapter meeting left attendees inspired and equipped with new tools and perspectives to not only enhance their speaking careers but also to foster environments where humanity and professionalism thrive together.