Page 17 - KZN Business Sense 10.1 Page One Shaaz Moosa - CEO Supahot- Ebook

SURFING’S WISDOM IN BUSINESS AND LIFE

David White, CEO other’s exhilarating moments,
DRG and everyone is richer for it. In
business we have a natural ‘tall
rowing poppy syndrome’, where there are
up in many who choose to not support
Gthe others’ successes.
holiday town
of Scottburgh, Being joyful for others in
situated on the both surfing and business
south coast of raises our own vibrations and
KwaZulu- attracts similar opportunities to
Natal, ourselves. Being supportive and
had many encouraging towards others when
advantages, they are learning or excelling
which I only helps us to enjoy each passing
discovered moment more, enriching our
much later in lives, and setting the platform
life. for our own similar joyful and
fulfilling experiences.
The south coast in those days
was laid-back in comparison to Embracing Nature’s Flow
the fast-paced world we live in My tenth lesson is simply
today. Influences such as surfing, at the same time, we have to draw risk is researched, considered paths. We need to recognise this allowing nature’s flow to guide
interacting with nature, and on our networks and advisors to and managed, to a large degree, responsibility and ensure that our existence. We have no
having time for simple things were re-evaluate the direction we wish it disappears. We overcome it as role models we are providing ability to influence the intuitive
normal, which is where I draw my to drive our actions, or to find through being correctly prepared guidance and support in a caring decisions we make. However,
strength, innovation, purpose, ways to re-establish our position, and positioned. and honourable way. We thus these decisions tend to be right
and resilience. In reflecting on poise and connection. become ambassadors in our sport for us, even if we only recognise
these precious memories, it Leaving No One Behind The Key to Success and profession. We can enhance them for their value at a later
becomes obvious that we were My fifth lesson is about timing. opportunity or destroy confidence point. We miss waves, only to
learning great life lessons that I My third lesson is that of Perfect surf requires specific in those people who look towards find out there is a better wave
have used in my career and in the Sustainable Development Goal 17 conditions to be present, and us to show them the way. right behind the one we missed.
business environment. which says do not leave anyone we have to be ready all the time. Living in the Moment
behind. Whilst I was surfing at Being ready means that we keep In business things do not go our
My mind immediately recalls Airport Lefts in Bali, which has My eighth lesson is that surfing way continuously, in fact there
‘ensuring a ‘go get it attitude’ as an amazing waves, the offshore wind fit, keep preparing, and keep the forces us to draw on our intuition are many opportunities we miss.
essential initiator of any action. blew me off course. I realised ‘stoke’ for when we can enjoy the for decision making in the However, not all seemingly great
In surfing every single wave is that there was a set of big and moments of pleasure. moment. The ocean is constantly opportunities are right for us and
different, which is not dissimilar to powerful waves coming for me Sometimes we surf on the days moving and changing; mentally, for our business. We need to realise
opportunities in life and business. like a tsunami. I pushed my board where the waves are not perfect, immediately we lunge into the sea that we cannot ride every wave,
We must be ready for each unique to the side, and dived as deep as I and they help us to be confident we become absorbed in its flow. and similarly we cannot service
opportunity... and we must make could. Suddenly there was a snap, and ready for when the good surf every opportunity in business.
the most of them. If we do not my leash had broken, and now I arrives. So too are productive and Business is also about timing,
catch a wave… it is gone forever. was more than a kilometre out to profitable days and opportunities and we must recognise that If we surf regularly with our
More waves will come along… sea, with no board for flotation, in our business. We just must be our best decisions will be heart in the right place, we will
as will more life and business and more chunky barrelling waves poised and ready for when these made through assessing the get many great waves to ride.
opportunities, but the more we let about to pound my now fragile opportunities flow in our direction. environment, and using our In business, the harder we try
go by, the more we must paddle body. When the set passed and the experience, resources, networks, in maintaining ethics, quality
around and keep searching. calm returned, there was nobody Loving What You Do and intuition to guide us. assurance, and respect for
stakeholders and regulators, the
Like surfing, business decision
A Respectful Dance in sight, except my mate Wade My sixth lesson is about ensuring making is best when we are more we gain the right for new
My first lesson learned from Howard, who had paddled to fetch our minds are focused. We can fully focused, confident that opportunities to flow towards
only keep our ongoing focus if we
and bring my board to me.
surfing is respect for the ocean and enjoy what we are doing. Business our experience, passion and our organisations.
care for fellow watermen. In all In business we also get caught by is the same, we must do what we intuition will deliver an outcome There is no doubt that my love
circumstances the sea is dominant, the lip of the wave or by the sets, love doing. Doing something we that richly rewards us. The for nature, the ocean and surfing
which is precisely the same as the have an unpleasant hold down, or are good at, enjoy doing, supports advice Dave Rastovich, a surfing shaped my life as a business
economy. We need to maintain the get washed onto the rocks. Trouble others, and rewards ourselves is great from a line of Polynesian executive. I am endlessly thankful
balance of perception required for just happens, and we need to be discovering our purpose. watermen, received from his dad for the experiences gained in the
our own success and sustainability. there to help others when they was to… “Think it, feel it, do it”. sea, learning to surf, and enjoying
We can find opportunity within need it, or to be prepared to receive Surfing teaches us to never I am not sure if any advice could the magic of riding precious
the economy; however, we will help from others when we need it. compromise doing what we feel is be simpler and more valuable to waves. Shaun Thomson who at the
never be able to demand that the The Art of the Possible right for ourselves and the time, us in surfing, life, and business. height of his career was regarded
economy produce our desired as long as it does not interfere or as the best tube rider in the world,
outcome. There are great rewards My fourth lesson is centred compromise any other person, or We do take the wrong wave at shared that time changes when in
to be found in the economy and around managing risk. The sea is nature herself. times, and we do get trashed. the tube, and in an uncanny way
in the ocean. However, we need to an ever-changing environment, So many choices come our way, However, we quickly recover Shaun believes that in this zone
respect and care for our customers, where wave size can be measured and we need to align our thoughts, and resume our posture and we can change the shape of the
employees, suppliers, regulators, in increments of fear. There words and actions with those position, as not doing so will wave with our minds. What an
stakeholders, and the environment. are winds, tides, rips, currents, which resonate within our hearts hold us in the danger zone of amazing perception, highlighting
sandbanks, and reefs that have to and souls. Enjoying and immersing other waves advancing. that we are more creative and
The Essence of Mastery be understood to ensure our safety ourselves in our sport and work In business we call this resilience powerful than we might have
My second lesson is recognising and ability to enjoy our sport. is the magic that lifts our minds and recovery, and each experience considered. 
that there is endless learning to Leading a sustainable business and gives us that sense of purpose needs to be analysed and
be gained in the ocean. Business is also about managing risk, and accomplishment – which corrected, so that the organisation
is just the same with every day which includes every activity is essential for our wellbeing, can redirect and advance more DRG, DRG Siyaya, BusinessFit SA and SA
bringing new challenges and from producing your company’s and our growth as humans and competently and more confidently Chamber UK
experiences; to cope and thrive high-quality product or service, contributors to the world. in its purpose and intention. Contact David White,
we need a positive mindset and ensuring it adds value to customers T: +27 (0)31 767 0625
outcome expectation. As a young and stakeholders, ensuring Guiding the Next Wave The Shared Success E: david@drg.co.za
person, we always looked to the consumers are agreeable to My seventh lesson is about My ninth lesson is about creating W: www.drg.co.za
elders for guidance when big purchase and pay for your product recognising that as we gain more opportunities for others. When
outside sets were approaching. or service timeously, and that staff experience and ability in our sport we are surfing and sharing waves
This is similar to business, when meet their obligations to ensure and work, we become influential with friends, there is a sense
suddenly things go wrong, often legitimacy and productivity. Once to junior travellers on similar of oneness, we can enjoy each

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