Lonehill: We ALL See Things Differently

Nothing like a rainy day for updating one's blogs.

Was asked by an acquaintance last year - What's ONE Thing In Life That You've Learnt..? - to which I responded:

'That no two people see all things the same way all of the time - everyone has their own unique perception of life, events and circumstance that may or may not align with mine from time to time. Actually - most of the time.. ;-) Don't fret or sweat it!'

And clearly, my recent direct approaches to the LRA are seen very differently by both parties.

Certainly, I am of the opinion that the current crop of volunteers on the LRA have done pretty well at restoring basic administration management hygiene factors as written in my previous post: 'To be sure, we should all be GRATEFUL and THANKFUL for those volunteers who give of their free time to do what they deem best as already stated in previous posts - Lonehill: Grateful Thanks & A Simple Christmas Wish & Lonehill: Give Credit Where Credit Is Due'.

So, let's be clear, as a resident stakeholder I am 100% encouraging of them sweating the small stuff and recovering from the debacle that they took over some two-odd years ago.

Nevertheless, I remain of the opinion stated in my last post: 'What we have currently is so far short of where we should have been at this point... and CAN be!'

And, as many will know in Lonehill, I am not one to just talk and criticise. I walk my talk. I say what I will DO... and DO what I say..!

As a proven active resident stakeholder, I once again took the initiative in January 2008 to approach the LRA with proposals to back up my comments.

In essence, my proposals centred around the BIG PICTURE scenarios that I have consistently advocated for our Lonehill Community Initiative on this forum.

This extract from my LRA communications perhaps best capturing the essence of my proposals:

'As just one stakeholder, I have a range of MASSIVE ACTION projects ranging from raising an extra R100 000 p.m. to R500 000 p.m. for the LRA coffers, to MASS PARTICIPATION projects to bring the community together, to INTERNATIONAL recognition projects to have the eyes of the world on us. I certainly don't need to prove my bona-fides as a make-it-happen individual who walks-his-talk and delivers in this community.'

'All it needs is the commitment, encouragement and support of an LRA executive that is driven by the VISION we all set for ourselves at the launch of this initiative.'

'Does anyone know of a community of our size who can do something with an extra couple of hundred thousand rand each month for their coffers?'

Since my last post, and in seemingly final response from the LRA to my proposals, I have received a 'Final Warning concerning Distribution of Defamatory Materials' from the 'Legal Advisor To The LRA' threatening '..to make Application to the High Court of South Africa (Witwatersrand Local Division) for an Order restraining you from such unlawful conduct'.

Hmmm... a really interesting way to signal the end of any further discussions/negotiations.. ;-)

Now, I would have done it a little differently and returned the initial compliment of the proposer, who made all the running in inviting the LRA Chairman to a cup of Mugg & Bean coffee to gauge the LRA's willingness to entertain such proposals (which willingness was assured), and would have returned the favour with a return invite over a cup of coffee to say why the LRA is unwilling to take such discussion any further.

For me, the measure of a man is in how he deals with openness, honesty, integrity, transparency and trust... all too rare attributes to find.

That's how I like to deal. With brutal honesty.

I always look to enter into negotiations with eternal optimisim in the counter-party's intentions to go for a WIN-WIN until they demonstrate otherwise.

And, if they indicate otherwise, I run a mile from striking a WIN-LOSE deal. They just never work.

Aaaah well... no point my sweating it any further, there's just no point negotiating with people who show their intent to litigate... their actions speak much louder than their words.

I just wonder how this threatening LRA action motivates others as committed as myself to 'stand up and be counted' as requested by the LRA Chair recently.

Don't know why, but the LRA's communication/listening style with this consumer reminds me of this funny two-minute Web video about the consumer who wants a divorce from the advertiser... is there any similarity for our LRA to learn from?

History seems to show that the only way that committed people can do really big things in this community for the ultimate benefit of ALL residents is to take the type of independent actions that launched the Lonehill Security Action Group back in 2000 (against the express wishes of the then LRA - I wasn't very popular with them for exposing their lack of comparative action by bringing the community together as massively as we did then) and to do it outside of the LRA until common sense reigns as happened then.

Maybe those so inclined will just have to find a way to do something similar again.. ;-)

Interestingly, back then, I didn't just have to contend with threats of defamation law suits from some of the locals... but also with death threats..!

So maybe we're maturing as a community... ;-)

Regards
Trevor Nel - Lonehill Resident
011 - 705-2790

Lonehill: Still Grateful, Still Thankful... Still Aiming TOO LOW

My own business meetings had me missing the latest Lonehill Residents Association (LRA) public feedback meeting on Wed.27Feb., but from a few of those attending I am told that nothing much earth-shatteringly exciting emerged and that the current executive seem pretty comfortable with their progress.

To be sure, we should all be GRATEFUL and THANKFUL for those volunteers who give of their free time to do what they deem best as already stated in previous posts - Lonehill: Grateful Thanks & A Simple Christmas Wish & Lonehill: Give Credit Where Credit Is Due .

To my mind, and ever since launching this long-standing community initiative way back in 2000, I have always been of the opinion that our Greater Lonehill Initiative has the potential to be one of the GREATEST Community Empowerment stories in the world.... with all of the MASSIVE advantages that would accrue to each of us as astute residents in such an international-profile community.

What we have currently is so far short of where we should have been at this point... and CAN be!

Michelangelo is said to have voiced what I believe holds our initiative back:

'The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it. Rather, it's that we aim to low and we hit it'.

Spot on, Michy..!

Now don't get me wrong, I am not just criticising and waiting for others to deliver, I have actively and personally pursued the current LRA board to find a way to allow all Lonehill stakeholders - individuals with proven capability and skills - to participate in delivering on some MASSIVE objectives. This, to me, is quite simple to do.

As just one stakeholder, I have a range of MASSIVE ACTION projects ranging from raising an extra R100 000 p.m. to R500 000 p.m. for the LRA coffers, to MASS PARTICIPATION projects to bring the community together, to INTERNATIONAL recognition projects to have the eyes of the world on us.

And, I know that there are others who recognise that we have even greater potential than that... and they have just been ignored into exclusion and apathy.

Sadly, I have not heard even the faintest peep of a response from our local LRA leadership... not even to continuing the little ol' annual cricket match which I was challenged by the LRA Chairman to deliver on last year and did in short time... just in case the newbie leadership doubted my make-it-happen abilities... ;-)

C'mon LRA, in my case, your lack of response and/or decision-making ability is embarrassing... especially in the light of your recent Eskom-bleating session on Radio 702. At worst, it is just plain 'ol bad manners and a lack of common courtesy not to respond to serious community stakeholders who take the time and trouble to give of their input.

Does anyone know of a community of our size who can do something with an extra couple of hundred thousand rand each month for their coffers?

No point wasting a great idea... ;-)

In closing, the thought arises again as to what was the single most significant difference between what we did to launch this initiative and make the MASSIVE impact on the community that we did versus what it was that dumbed our initiative back down towards the mediocrity of typical apathetic community structures. I pointed to this in the post - OPEN Inclusive vs. CLOSED Exclusive - in which I offered a possible description of what people may say/think at the extremes of each style of leadership.

The 'OPEN Inclusive' extremist may say openly: 'Hey, I don't like you and/or your opinions, but I acknowledge what you're good at, so select your role and I'll wish you the best of success in greatly improving the lot of our community and give you all the information you need to be successful - now get on with it and deliver.'

The 'CLOSED Exclusive' extremist may or most likely, may well not say (but instead, act out on this mind-set): 'Hey, I don't like you and/or your opinions and I'm going to make it as difficult as possible for you to have any part to play in this community. I'll leave if you do. It's you or me! There is no room for the two of us.'

The more I think about it, what I am perhaps describing here is the difference between MATURE Leadership versus immature 'egoship'.

The latter being what we seem to see emanating from almost all levels of our national leadership - from political, to essential service providers, to national sporting body execs, et al. There seems to be more a focus on individual ego, power and control than in the general interest of the publics served.

What blows my brain, is that I have seen the very individuals who vocally question the apparent lack of common-sense of our national leaders perpetuate the very same stupidity of 'egoship' when they themselves step into a position of community authority. Go figure.

My challenge to our LRA leadership is to find a way to include EVERYONE who wants to contribute in their way to this community becoming a world-class initiative. At the moment, your current leadership style leans towards the 'CLOSED Exclusive' model.

Let's get back to the 'OPEN Inclusive' style that launched the very initiative and funding platform that allows you to get your personal leadership ways today.

Regards
Trevor Nel - Lonehill Resident
011 - 705-2790