Wildebeest or Honey Badger? A Recap of the January 2025 PSASA KZN Chapter Meeting
The Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa (PSASA) KZN Chapter kicked off the year 2025 with an inspiring and thought-provoking meeting on January 21st. Hosted at our vibrant venue, the session featured dynamic networking, engaging speaking exercises and a powerful keynote delivered by the ever-insightful Brian Adams, known widely as “The Ethics Architect.”
With the theme “Are You a Wildebeest or a Honey Badger? Life and Business Lessons for Speakers,” the evening set the tone for the year ahead, encouraging attendees to reflect on their unique traits and leverage them to succeed in the art and business of speaking.
Setting the Stage for 2025
The evening was kicked off by our Chapter President, Brenden Cavanagh, who warmly welcomed 18 attendees, including 3 newcomers. He provided an overview of PSASA’s mission to elevate professional speaking while encouraging members to participate in exciting upcoming opportunities such as the Speaker Factor competition and Annual Convention.
The energy in the room grew as Deputy President Colleen Wilson facilitated an ice-breaking Intro Speech session. Each guest had two minutes to share who they were, what they do, their resolution or “Word of the Year,” and how they planned to achieve their goals. This interactive session not only helped ease the newcomers into the PSASA community but also allowed seasoned members to sharpen their storytelling and speaking skills as they communicated their personal brands and speaking intentions.
Brian Adams: Lessons from the African Bush
The highlight of the evening was Brian Adams’ keynote, which delivered an engaging blend of metaphorical storytelling and practical advice for speakers. Drawing on his background as a military leader, ethics professional and entrepreneur, Brian challenged attendees to think deeply about how they approach their speaking careers and their lives.
Through his presentation, Brian painted vivid parallels between the animal kingdom and the human traits needed for success in speaking and business. Here are some of the key lessons:
- Wildebeest or Honey Badger?
- The wildebeest symbolises the herd mentality: safe but dependent on the group. It highlights the benefits of collaboration and strength in numbers.
- The honey badger, however, is known for its grit, resilience and independence. It represents those who dare to face challenges head-on and thrive despite the odds.
- Brian emphasised the importance of embracing both approaches: collaborating when it benefits you but also charting your own course when necessary.
- The Sea Turtle and Resilience
- Brian’s analogy of sea turtles overcoming predators to reach the ocean inspired attendees to see resilience as the key to success.
- Much like sea turtles, the ventures that survive early challenges are often the ones that thrive long-term.
- Lessons from the Animal Kingdom
- Thrive by Differentiation:Every species, like every speaker, has unique traits. Focus on your strengths and what sets you apart.
- Be Curious:Like a meerkat, always observe your surroundings and remain inquisitive.
- Symbiotic Relationships:Build partnerships and networks that are mutually beneficial, but always conduct a risk assessment to avoid freeloaders – consider the Oxpecker bird which dares to fly into the crocodile’s mouth for a feeding-preening symbiosis.
- Adaptability:Be like a rushing stream – flexible, agile and able to overcome obstacles in your path.
- Long-Term Thinking:The honey badger’s lifelong partnerships remind us to cultivate meaningful, enduring connections.
- Lead with Courage:A lion doesn’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep. Be bold and unapologetic in your pursuits.
Key Takeaways from the Evening
- Success is rooted in resilience and self-awareness. Focus on your unique strengths and don’t be afraid to chart your own course.
- Collaboration is vital, but so is ensuring the partnerships you build are symbiotic and mutually beneficial.
- Stay curious, adapt to challenges and always strive for long-term growth rather than short-term wins.
- Balance is essential: Don’t let work overshadow self-care, family or your sense of humour — the things that keep us grounded.
A Promising Start to 2025
The January 2025 KZN Chapter meeting was a perfect blend of inspiration, introspection and interaction. Attendees left the session motivated to embrace their inner honey badger and wildebeest, ready to tackle the year with courage, resilience and intentionality.
A special thank you to Brian Adams for his insightful talk and to everyone who participated in making the evening a success. For more wisdom from Brian, follow him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-adams-the-ethics-architect/.
Stay tuned for more updates and events from the PSASA as we continue to inspire, connect and grow as a professional speaking community in 2025!