PERSPECTIVE
‘ Nosce te ipsum ’ – Know thy self !
“ Knowing others is intelligence ; knowing yourself is true wisdom . Mastering others is strength ; mastering yourself is true power .” Lao Tzu
By Jenny Matthews
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watery sun is sending its light tendrils across the skies . Trees have been stripped bare and charcoal branches stand stark against the dawn . Ancient wisdom defines winter as a period of rest , a time to slow down - this isn ’ t true of life on the farm ! July is the coldest month and early morning breath turns steamy as farmers step out their front doors . Mother Nature may rest but farmers are pushing to bring in the last of the harvest , and storing or marketing the crops . The farm office is a hive of activity as accounts are settled and budgets drawn up for the new season . Others are busy butchering , processing , preserving and storing the past season ’ s bounty . Everyone has work to do .
Agriculture is dynamic ! There ’ s never a moment with nothing to do . There is a place in this space for everyone . The key to a happy experience lies in identifying our strengths and capitalising on them . Laeveld Agrochem ’ s Sail Safari in April was an amazing experience . Farmers were educated , inspired , entertained and motivated . Inspirational speaker Lynette Beer challenged us on many levels as she highlighted the importance of knowing oneself , saying when we don ’ t know who we are - or who our colleagues , employees , partners or children are - it leads to stress and tension . Socrates coined the phrase ‘ nosce te ipsum ’ – Know thy self , holding that “ The unexamined life is not worth living !” Beer teaches when people are positioned where they can use their natural strengths , they are happier , more productive and less likely to leave .
Personality tests offer insights to help us understand our own strengths and weaknesses . E . g . it is helpful to know if one is a ‘ caregiver ’ who wants other people to be happy . This is good but can mean you are a people pleaser who may be taken for granted or may ignore your own needs . Awareness of how your own strengths and weaknesses interact with those of your family , social circles and workplace is empowering . Nowadays employers normally ask potential employees to undergo a personality test . This is to establish beyond qualifications whether the candidate can fit in with organisational culture . Personality tests measure leadership aptitude , ability to interact with stakeholders , team work skills or problem solving ability and stress management .
Invariably a personality test will confirm things you knew about yourself but they ’ re also likely to reveal things you did not know ! There are no right or wrong answers and neither is there a positive or negative personality type . When one becomes aware of one ' s weaknesses it ’ s possible to develop yourself in those areas . Similarly , awareness of your strengths encourages you to employ them better .
The danger of not knowing oneself well enough is that then ‘ the world ’ defines you . A lecturer at North West University recommended me the EnneaApp . I did the free test and learned some interesting things - and had a good chuckle too ! I ’ d been praising someone the other day when my son said I will always find the best qualities in people and focus on those . Well the test says I am loyal and ‘ courageously champion others .’ Enough said !
Every task performed on a farm is done by people and all have different personalities . How they are selected , managed and motivated makes all the difference to the success of the farming enterprise .
In many respects it is winter outside but there is a winter in our hearts too ; as we worry about many threats to our farming operations and our farmland . Brand Pretorius , guest speaker at 2018 Grain SA Congress said , “ Ek het soveel agting en respek vir boere - vir hul waagmoed , kundigheid en deursettingsvermoë ”. He encouraged farmers to take on strong leadership roles at home , at work and in the community . He also said he believes an effective leader knows himself and his people ; he leads people out of the cold to places where they feel comfortable and can thrive , which ensures transformation and motivation . Farmers who are leaders know who they are ; they know their people and they are torch bearers of hope in a wintery landscape .
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SENWES SCENARIO | WINTER 2018