Let's make a Difference by Unlocking Untapped Potential

 

 

                                

 

An edited extract from a local South African school song refers:

‘As an acorn to an oak tree

……………………. has proudly grown

Firm its roots and broad its branches,

……………………, it stands alone’

A small acorn growing into a massive oak tree is a beautiful metaphor for the human potential that lies within all of us as individuals.

 Recently I found myself busy writing a document after a problem was discussed with me. As I was typing, I listed many broad headings, ideas and questions. They covered amongst others: What? When? Where? Who? Why? How? Politics? ; Environment? ; Social?; Technology? ; Socio-techno system, etc.  A] Whilst typing the document I realised that we need a few iterations and an evolving broad functional (stretching horizontally and vertically across boundaries) team to really develop a really ‘good’ &/ robust problem statement.

 

Most of us, by nature, intrinsically go into solutions-mode whilst the problem statement process is still in progress. Trying to strike a balance between developing a good problem statement and satisfying my solutions-mode, I came up with the following diagram:

 

I concluded the document by saying that whilst I am still getting to grips with the system variables, I envisaged a broad approach with a group of technology and non-technology solutions.

Upon completing this document, an ‘AHA’ moment presented itself to me. I thought to myself that perhaps I can ‘export’ this crude thinking framework into my next blog post. Why not? This is what happened next: I rushed to my book shelf and was looking for two references (books) that could easily: (i) map some National Development Plan (NDP) ‘system variables’/ describing the NDP landscape and (ii) map some NDP ‘system variables with some ‘solutions-mode’ flavour.

I landed with two books that are still on my ‘To-Do Reading  List’:  ‘How long will South Africa Survive – The Looming Crisis’ by RW Johnson and  ‘An Umbrella for the Rainbow Nation – Possible futures for the Republic of South Africa towards 2055’ by Prof. Chris Adendorff and Des Collier.

For Johnson’s book, I went to the index and searched for ‘NDP’ (National Development Plan). The plan was to share the ‘NDP’ extracts from this particular book. I will seek the publisher or copyright holder’s permission to do so in the near future. For Prof Adendorff and Des Collier’s book, I developed a mind map outlining the main/ key sections covered in this particular book. Similar to Johnson’s book, I will seek the necessary permission to share the mind map I developed based on Adendorff and Colliers’ book.

Going back to my ISSF (Integrated Solutions Systems Framework) Model  and reflecting on proposing  a different angle to add to the NDP dialogue,  it struck me that 80-90% of the solutions we are seeking are within us (and not outside).  The solutions we are seeking come in the form of hidden talents and/ untapped human potential. My personal view is that we are so engrossed in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Debate that we ignore the Natural Intelligence (NI) that is up for grabs with a significantly higher return of investment (ROI). I think the main ‘Technology’ Solution within the NDP is leveraging natural talents & strengths (from the bottom up and from within)

With my blog name: ‘Uberizing South Africa’s National Development’, and reflecting on above, I propose a 3 Step Simple Plan: (1): Start a ‘Unlock Potential/ Strengths’ Drive; (2): Develop something like a NDP Space Map (like a Google Street Map) that All South African citizens can identify with (perhaps with their smart phones). The said individual will zoom into a unique space and make their intrinsic talented contribution ‘friction free’ (whatever it may be). (3) Partner, Synergise and Collaborate

[An example that comes to mind, my son (on high school) offers tutoring ‘free-of –charge’ Maths & Science for his class mates at his school on a weekly basis. In the digital age, this session can easily be leveraged for more to benefit. I am sure there are more examples]

Until next time, let me conclude with a quote from one of my role models:

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead” – Nelson Mandela