THE 6 STRONG POINTS THAT DEFINE SUCCESSFUL ABILITY VALHALLA ARTS

PRESENTATION BY MUSA E. ZULU (Creative Director: Valhalla Arts) Author, Artist and Motivational Speaker

PURPOSE OF PRESENTATION ‘The 6 Strong Points’ Motivational Module has been presented to various audiences including Human Resources (HR) practitioners, public/private sector Senior Management, Education Administrators and community organization leadership. The purpose of this presentation is to evoke the following thought-provoking questions on the side of the audience: - Am I? - Are We?

South African Principals Association (SAPA) - THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE - ‘AFFIRMING SCHOOL LEADERS ’

THE QUESTIONS Am I, as an INDIVIDUAL, giving my best effort towards adding value to SAPA’s primary objective and commitment to ’Affirm School Leaders”? Are we, as a COLLECTIVE, giving our best effort towards adding value to SAPA’s primary objective and commitment to ’Affirm School Leaders”?

THE 6 STRONG POINTS THAT DEFINE SUCCESSFUL ABILITY DISCIPLINE TAKING THE INITIATIVE LEADERSHIP PRODUCTIVITY EFFICIENCY & EFFECTIVENESS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

DISCIPLINE What is Discipline? – The ability to maintain self-control – The ability to abide by a system of rules of behaviour – Time Management – Beating vs Meeting Deadlines – Honesty & Trustworthiness – Enforcing Discipline

DISCIPLINE: The Questions Do I, as an INDIVIDUAL, practice and maintain self-discipline in my role as a Principal of a school, do I accept accountability for my actions and decisions and behave in a way which is above reproach? Do we, as a COLLECTIVE at SAPA, comply with the rules, procedures and regulations of our Constitution; performing our duties with speed, honesty and integrity, and treating our profession and those we lead with respect, fairness and courtesy?

TAKING THE INITIATIVE What is Taking The Initiative? – The ability to originate new ideas or methods – The ability to go beyond mandate (Job Description)

TAKING THE INITIATIVE: The Questions Do I, as an INDIVIDUAL, exercise my capacity to innovate new ways of doing things to ‘provide opportunities for the professional development of Principals’ in my Region and Country’? Do we, as a COLLECTIVE, exercise our capacity to take the initiative in developing enabling systems towards achieving SAPA’s drive to ‘participate in curriculum development and educational restructuring”?

LEADERSHIP What is Leadership? – The ability to show the way by going first – The ability to direct or guide on a course – The courage to be head of a mission with a vision – The ability to identify that ‘impossible’ is a very weak word

LEADERSHIP: The Questions Do I, as an INDIVIDUAL, ever rise to lead from the front in ways that develop me personally? Do we, as a COLLECTIVE, really understand the expectations and implications that are attached to our positions as ambassadors that should ‘facilitate communication among educational leaders and promote liaison with teacher associations and unions’?

PRODUCTIVITY What is Productivity? – Fertility – Ratio of output to the input of materials – Quality of work/services presented on the table/market

PRODUCTIVITY: The Questions Am I a productive INDIVIDUAL that has contributed to this country’s quest for educational excellence in both student results and school management? Are we truly a productive COLLECTIVE of SAPA membership that always strive to ‘recognise and promote the role of the Principal in the school and in the community’?

EFFICIENCY & EFFECTIVENESS What is Efficiency and Effectiveness? – The ability and competency to achieve results without waste of time or effort – The ability to produce a specified effect – Forcefulness and Striking an impression – The ability to be operative in a work-chain

EFFICIENCY & EFFECTIVENESS: The Questions Am I an effective INDIVIDUAL whose approach to life and work is efficient? How do we, as a COLLECTIVE In this Association, constantly measure that our programs and strategies for ‘promoting and enhancing educational leadership and school management’ are effective and efficient in meeting the needs of our developing society?

MAKING A DIFFERENCE What is to make a Difference? – The ability to leave a mark with distinguishing features – To be an agent of change

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: The Questions Have I, as an INDIVIDUAL, made or aspired to apply my diverse, skills and talents in making a difference to my life and that of others in this ‘information age’? Have we, as a COLLECTIVE, ever aspired to make a difference in our country’s educational levels by ‘undertaking educational research, publishing journals and establishing links with international associations of Principals’ to learn and adapt best practice for the benefit of a South African child?

CONCLUSION “When the Burning Flame of Spirit is ignited, it will transform any soul, no matter what the circumstances” (MUSA E. ZULU – Creative Director: Valhalla Arts) Cell: Fax:

‘THE 6 STRONG POINTS THAT DEFINE SUCCESSFUL ABILITY’ A Valhalla Arts Publication (2007) Copyright in text: MUSA E. ZULU Copyright in published edition: Valhalla Arts and NUTREND Publishers (2008) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any means, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright holder. Failure to request for permission and infringing copyright stipulations is illegal and may lead to one being charged and prosecuted.