Taking Charge of Change - The IziCwe Code featured in True Love

In a recent issue of South Africa's leading women magazine, True Love, Dr Nikolaus Eberl highlights the need for taking charge of change in your life

Says Dr Nikolaus, the author of 'The IziCwe Code: Conquer Life': "So much has happened in the past year that's calling for a change in your life. You may be in a relationship that isn't working out, or in the company of friends who're draining you, but you've never had the guts to make that liberating change. And it's important now, more than ever, to take hold of an opportunity for change, that might be floating past you. The best way to move forward is to ask yourself one question: "When I'm 80 years old, will I regret not having done this?"

"There are two sounding boards you need to consult for advice when faced with this question. The first is the person closest to you. Many times our mental eyes are clouded by personal biases, but you'll find the person next to you might see an opportunity much more objectively and clearly than you do. A fresh perspective on your situation is often all you need to provide the final impetus to making a change."

"Secondly, ask your most reliable friend – one who 's guided you many times before in your life, and whose advice, whenever you ignored it, turned out to be right. The one you regretted not listening to when it came to that sponging boyfriend, that disastrous outfit you insisted on wearing to a party and that heated argument you had with your sister which ended in a three-month feud. This friend knows you well and, more importantly, knows you from many different angles. He or she also knows how you respond to different situations, and probably has a good idea of your needs and temperament."

"You also need to listen to your gut feeling. We all have a sixth sense that either makes us feel uncomfortable or excited when facing a challenge. The Greek philosopher Socrates used to call this a daimon ("spiritual guide "), an inner voice that sounded like a warning whenever he reached a crossroads in life."

Dr Nikolaus recently introduced a revolutionary new brand leadership model, called The IziCwe Code, at the Global Leaders Africa Summit in Johannesburg, sharing the stage with world renowned leadership gurus Tom Peters, Rudy Giuliani and Michael Porter. Based on twelve years of global research, The IziCwe Code is about internal branding strategies from Emperor Shaka, aimed at engaging the emotional drivers of employee commitment (coined EmotiVators™ by Dr Nikolaus) and building total commitment to delivering the brand promise.

Dr Nikolaus and co-author Herman Schoonbee published “The IziCwe Code: Internal Branding” in 2005 (Academy Press, foreword by Reuel Khoza), which was recently critically reviewed by President Thabo Mbeki in his Letter from the President; using “the analytical tools contained in The IziCwe Code”, the President issued the challenge to government leaders to “generate the kind of commitment that will ensure that …our government at all levels … can be trusted to honour the brand promise!”

Dr Nikolaus’ earlier book “Conquer Life: Personal Branding Strategies from the Emperor” was appraised by The Business Day as “A must for anyone who wants to overcome personal and career challenges”, and Herman Mashaba, Founder of Black Like Me as “A uniquely South African formula for mustering the will to succeed and conquer life.”