Dionne Van Zyl

  When people think of a perfect leader, they picture someone trustworthy, inspiring, and easy to talk to…someone who listens to all team members, motivates them, and never lets their temper cloud their judgment.  All of these are characteristics of emotionally intelligent people.   As   Psychologist Daniel Goleman said , “IQ and technical skills matter…they are crucial threshold abilities, what you need to get the job done. But everyone you compete with at work has those same skill sets.” It’s safe to say that emotional intelligence is the distinguishing factor between a good leader and a great one.  Those who lack emotional intelligence unknowingly cause a lot of damage to the organization. They set poor examples of how to work, treat others, and use emotions to guide thoughts and actions. Trickling down throughout the company, these problematic behaviors translate into low employee productivity, high turnover, and an overall toxic work environment.  Need...

Many people wonder what makes leaders profoundly influencing and successful. Self-awareness is one essential trait that helps them make an impact, motivate others, and lead an organization toward success. This is an essential quality that can be found in every leader across the world. Allowing individuals to grow, adapt, and be honest in their workplace is key. But what exactly does it mean to be self-aware? In this article, we will look in detail to help you understand what self-awareness actually means, how it can be identified in others, its benefits, and how individuals can leverage this trait   to be the best leader .  What Is Self-Awareness?  Simply put, self-awareness is defined as the ability to understand oneself in terms of one’s weaknesses and strengths. It also involves knowing and evaluating one’s personality traits, emotions, and preferences. However, self-awareness is more than just knowing oneself. It is an art and skill that is developed over time. By pra...

  The simple fact is that no company can flourish without an effective leader managing its people and guiding the organization to achieve all of its goals. Effective and excellent leadership is an organization’s primary source of success as it drives change, growth, and development. Understanding the role and importance of leadership and how one can achieve all of the top leadership qualities can help individuals become outstanding employees. Leadership is not something one is necessarily born with, and it doesn’t have anything to do with awards and titles. Rather it involves having qualities that are profound and impactful. Luckily, these can be learned and earned. This is why we have compiled this thorough guide that details everything you must know about   effective leadership .  Importance of Effective Leadership Dr. Van Zyl   states in his book,   Acuity , “Without good leadership, nothing succeeds, no matter how good the idea, the economics, or the team.” ...

“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.” — Margaret Mead Too often, the   care and consideration of employees   is pushed aside in the corporate world in favor of more pressing concerns. While it’s tempting to believe that higher levels of stress equal higher productivity, studies have consistently shown that the opposite is true. Organizations with emotionally-aware leaders that prioritize the well-being of their staff enjoy higher engagement, better retention, and fewer health-related issues than those that prioritize other goals. Put simply, leaders that focus on the needs of their employees reap the benefits of a thriving, successful business. Today, we take an in-depth look at an ideology beautifully demonstrated in   Dr. Dionne Van Zyl ‘s book, Acuity. Through this article, we will gain a better understanding of the powerful message behind his work.  In his book, Acuity, Dr. Van has listed five emot...

We've all been told, Just do your best. While this is sound advice for many situations, it lacks the nuance required for  those who aim for a loftier echelon of achievement—what we call 'True Excellence.' This article will explore the  qualitative difference between merely 'doing your best' and achieving a level of excellence that transcends the ordinary.   In this comprehensive article, we'll walk you through a step-by-step guide to excellence, delve into habits that make  good individuals excellent, scrutinize the mindset that fosters such excellence, and answer some of the most frequent  questions about this elusive concept. Buckle up, because what lies ahead is not just another self-help article, but an  in-depth examination of the philosophy of true excellence. The Pathway to Excellence: A Step-By-Step Guide The Key Elements That Differentiate 'Doing Your Best' from 'True Excellence' While 'doing your best' is an admirable endeavor, ...

Welcome to the fascinating world of Financial Intelligence (FI) . A realm that transforms the way we perceive  numbers, accounts, and fiscal statements, Financial Intelligence has become an indispensable skill for anyone  involved in business or financial management. But what exactly is Financial Intelligence? And how does it help  in understanding financial reports, those cryptic documents filled with numbers and financial jargon? This article  will take you on a journey through the basics of Financial Intelligence, unravel the mysteries of financial reports,  and show you how the two intertwine.  Understanding Financial Intelligence Financial Intelligence refers to a set of skills that allow individuals to understand and interpret financial  information effectively. It goes beyond mere financial literacy and encompasses a deep understanding of finance,  the ability to interpret financial data, comprehensive knowledge of business operations, and ...