the modern relevance of nelson mandela
A fragile economy, scams and Nelson Mandela
In a shaky and fragile economy, there is an growing sense of desperation in the marketplace. And inevitably that same desperation gives birth to an increasing number of scams. So how do we separate the wheat from the chaff in the deals with which we are presented?
Because scams are effectively a negotiating duel between scammers and their marks, why not improve our negotiating skills by learning from Nelson Mandela—one of the most brilliant negotiators of our time?
His qualities—and those missing in the scams
Nelson Mandela's modern relevance becomes even more pronounced as one looks at the qualities so noticably absent from those who were closest to the scammers in the recent high-profile scams. None had the curiosity or courage to challenge those with enormous hubris that Nelson Mandela had. Certainly, none had anything that came close to his moral authority, a finely-tuned moral compass, common sense, and extraordinary negotiating skills.
These qualities would be his "gift" to us that can help us detect future scams, both personal and financial.
The 10 Powers of negotiation
I have extrapolated from Nelson Mandela's life and his historic negotiations with the South African government, as well as from my own professional experiences around the world, 10 Powers of Negotiation and The Duck School: the school of common sense. These can provide a roadmap we can use in our effort to detect the scam.
The first half of my book explores how he came to develop and hone these qualities and skills. I believed that it was important to explore his life and to see how he used his qualities and skills in his historic negotiations with the South African government...
An overview of Nelson Mandela and his Gift...
An extract from Chapter 4 my book:
In his historic negotiations with the apartheid government that began while he was still their prisoner, Nelson Mandela accomplished the seemingly impossible. He persuaded the regime to give up apartheid. To appreciate the magnitude of this is to understand the cultural climate of the time...
To read Chapter 4: Nelson Mandela—An Overview of the Man and his Gift," click here...
An audio history of Apartheid and Nelson Mandela...
Radio Diaries, Inc. offers a wonderful audio history of Apartheid and Nelson Mandela. It includes the following 5 audio parts that are extraordinary...
The birth of apartheid (1944-1960)
The underground movement (1960-1964)
Nelson Mandela research tools...
Mandela's big secret—the habit of truth (Guardian, Anthony Sampson)...
The Long Walk of Nelson Mandela (Frontline)...
Presentation Speech awarding Nelson Mandela the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize...
Acceptance Speech of Nelson Mandela for 1993 Nobel Peace Prize...
Text of introduction of Mandela by President of Harvard University...
Remarks by President Clinton when awarding Mr. Mandela the Congressional Gold Medal...
Cheyney and Mandela: Reconciing the truth about his vote...
Ministry of Ethics, (DUKE magazine)...
Strange Bedfellows: Mandela, de Klerk, and the New South Africa...
Goodbye Mr. President (Indian Express)...
A tribute to Nelson Mandela...
Nelson Mandela and the Rainbow of Culture...
Nelson Mandela: A living legend is honored in Louisiana...
(This page was last revised on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 10:48 AM )