Throwback to my TED-style talk at PWC’s inaugural Alumni Live Event 2018

I was reflecting back at my TED-style talk at PwC’s inaugural Alumni Live event on the 26th of June last year and can't help but recognise how far I have come since then. 

My talk was titled: “Completing the human firewall”. This was the toughest public speech I had done to date. I had 10 minutes to get my key idea(s) across, ideally with no notes and minimal slides, while being live streamed, was no small feat.

This would not have been possible for me had I not taken control of my situation and changed my day to day working life. I got onto that stage feeling calm, I had practised my speech for days and made sure I was well prepared and while I was nervous I couldn't wait to stand up in front of my colleagues and share my thoughts about Cybersecurity and my vision for the future. 

That evening I did myself proud, I spoke from the heart and felt a strong connection with my audience. I learned how sometimes the emotions of fear, anxiety and insecurity can overwhelm us, but we can control how we want to feel.

This is why the saying “mind over matter” has such significance for me.

I had read a story about an elite athlete who was asked whether he still experienced performance anxiety after a yearlong winning streak. His response was that there is always some fear no matter what, but that he doesn’t feel anxious. He defines the feeling he wants and tells himself that what he is sensing is a feeling of readiness and excitement. It just shows how powerful our minds are and ultimately we can control how we want to feel. 

Click here to listen to my talk >> Completing The Human Firewall <<

My last statement was "I want all of you to feel inspired, to become great leaders. Please join me in completing the human firewall." 

This is my mission! To be a great leader!

The invitation below is an opportunity to have your say, so if like me, you believe we need more great leaders in our workplaces and would like to participate in my survey, then please read more about it below. 

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN MY STUDY ON WORKPLACE CULTURE

I need your support, please. I am conducting a study for my book, Roar! How to tame the bully, and I would be very grateful if you would participate in my study.

In my eBook, you will have read about my own experience with workplace bullying and its toll on my relationships and my health (mentally and physically). That is why I am determined to help others recognise the signs of workplace bullying early on and to take action before it is too late.

If you have worked in a situation where you have been the Witness or Target of:

1. behaviour that is intentionally negative and malicious, whether physical or emotional, from one or more persons,
2. negative behaviour that is consistently aggressive and persistent, and
3. behaviour that is driven by another person’s desire to obtain control.

Then I would like to invite you to participate in this study.

This survey is being sent to individuals working in organisations across all industries worldwide. Your participation will help assure that the results generated present an accurate reflection of the prevalence of bullying behaviour in workplace cultures today.

TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY - CLICK HERE

The survey is anonymous and treated in the strictest confidence. You may refuse to answer any question or quit the survey at any time. It will take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete.

I’d love to get industry and country-specific analysis too, so the more responses I get, the better, so please feel free to send this link to your colleagues.

Thank you in advance,

Marilise de Villiers

TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY - CLICK HERE

PS: Although there may be no direct benefit to the participant, there are possible benefits to organisations and society as a whole. Leaders, managers, and human resource personnel may learn techniques for identifying, investigating, and managing workplace bullying. Potential benefits to employees would include improved mental, physical and emotional well-being. Raising awareness of workplace bullying could potentially benefit leaders and organisations by increasing employee engagement and productivity.