🔒 Alec Hogg: Tragedy of a woke world – harming without consequences

Best of the late Stephen Covey’s famous Seven Habits is seek first to understand before needing to be understood. If properly applied, this discipline opens the door to authentic listening, a practice that delivers unexpected benefits. I’ve been rediscovering this gem through the long-form interviews for my new podcast, the latest episode of which features economist-turned-impact investor Chris Hart.

Also read: Alec Hogg: Concussion effect – delayed reaction to SA’s lockdown has begun

My in-depth, sometimes emotional discussion with Hart showed me another side of a man I’d often called on for instant punditry, during my 15 years of prime time radio. This time there was no studio clock counting down. So Hart could share background to a national furore about a couple of inoffensive sentences on Twitter. He says he’d happily tap out the same words today. Therein lies the real story.
___STEADY_PAYWALL___

In the excellent book Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, insider Ryan Holiday exposed dark arts perfected by the likes of now (thankfully) defunct Bell Pottinger. In early 2016, fuelled by Gupta money pillaged from SA taxpayers, the London PR agency applied its sick tricks to deliver the election result demanded by Zuma’s ANC. The end, for them, justified their disgusting means.

Also read: Alec Hogg: Capital allocation – the reason Froneman is bearish on SA

With hindsight, independent-minded Hart was the perfect target. He’d just been headhunted by Standard Bank, so lacked an internal support base. And by making an example of him, others who deviated from the ANC’s ‘managed message’ would be circumspect. Sadly, the bank blinked. As most large employers did at the time. Essentially making victims of, rather than supporting, the targets of attacks. Now that the truth has emerged, surely public apologies are in order?

For your attention today…

FOR DOWNLOADING…

* As mentioned above, episode 11 of my podcast show features economist Chris Hart. Here’s the link: https://www.biznews.com/wealth-building/2020/10/20/chris-hart

* BizNews editor Jackie Cameron and our brilliant illustrator Nadya Swart combine to provide a short video of the day’s most relevant news in our Flash Briefing. Here’s the link to the latest episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR5JG2aDwgw&t=6s

* Love the latest parody from The Kiffness where he takes on the latest ANC craziness – a R5bn demand from the party’s broadcasting mouthpiece. Sometimes you just have to laugh at the insanity: https://youtu.be/coAJmaG7-7I

WEBINAR ALERT…

* Get in early ahead of Monday’s Rational Radio webinar at noon where my guest is new Sasol CEO Fleetwood Grobler. Register here and we’ll remind you appropriately: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6730147365502274830

* And then on Tuesday at noon we have the monthly update on the BizNews portfolio. Like Rational Radio, places only for Premium members. Here’s the registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/707564726897634829

DOWNLOAD THE FREE BIZNEWS.COM APP
Click on the links below to download your own Biznews.com App:

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/za/app/biznews-com/id1517392839

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodbarber.biznews&hl=en