I had the amazing opportunity to hear author Stefan Swanepoel deliver his powerful presentation on his new book, Surviving Your Serengeti. He spoke at one of our sessions this week at the Keller Williams Family Reunion in Anaheim. He fulfilled a promise he had made to Keller Williams CEO Mark Willis this past year - not to make a presentation about his new book before doing so at our gathering.
Swanepoel is well known and respected in the real estate business. Among other things, he issues the Swanepoel Trends Report annually. It details the current state of the real estate industry, including in depth analysis of 10 emerging trends expected to impact Brokers, Agents, REALTOR® Associations and just about anyone associated with the industry in the coming years.
He was a dynamic speaker and his high energy presentation was packed with as much fun as it was with insight and information. The parable that unfolds in his book is a metaphor for the struggles we all face, in business and in life. The animals of the Serengeti use diverse basic instincts to survive and thrive in a harsh environment. The book takes a look at the traits exhibited and illustrates for us the benefits of each of them. He then goes on to illustrate how we can use our innate characteristics to thrive in our personal Serengeti.
Prior to the presentation, I took the online quiz to determine which animal I am most like. There are seven animals profiled in the book -
- The Enduring Wildebeest
- The Strategic Lion
- The Enterprising Crocodile
- The Graceful Giraffe
- The Efficient Cheetah
- The Risk Taking Mongoose
- The Communicating Elephant
I'm a Giraffe! I was surprised by that result. I do recognize many of my innate characteristics with his profile of the Graceful Giraffe, but having heard his description of all the animals I would have pegged myself as the Enduring Wildebeest.
Then, I realized, I have the characteristics of both of them, and one doesn't exclude the other. I'm a multi-faceted animal with my Giraffe apparently being dominant!
The Enduring Wildebeest, weathering the storms of life. It's how we handle adversity that makes all the difference... The ability to bounce back from adversity... Adept at changing conditions and pressures from multiple directions... Competitive edge and willing to invest time required... Focused on goals in the midst of difficult situations... Work through challenges with stamina, tenacity and confidence... Others see me as diligent and hardworking...
The Graceful Giraffe, grace being more than style and finesse, it's doing the right thing... Compassion to others and desire to extend goodwill... Making others feel like they are important... Put needs of others first... Live according to a personal code that is higher than normal standards of conduct... Extend dignity, honor and respect to others - even when things have not gone our way...
Grace represents style, finesse, kindness, and above all, doing the right thing - a quality that will always advance purpose in life, no matter what it is.
I enjoyed meeting Swanepoel and getting his autograph in my copy of his new book. I'm looking forward to reading the entire book and gaining insight into maximizing my Giraffe skills while interacting with the other animals I encounter each day!
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