CHOICES Magazine

In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern for businesses of all sizes. With the rapid advancements in technology, cyber threats have become more sophisticated, posing significant risks to organizational data, financial resources, and overall operational integrity.

In the business world, especially in entrepreneurship, it’s crucial to stay human and uphold empathy, compassion, and integrity. These traits are vital for achieving success. As someone once told me, “People don’t care what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

The 1990s were a transformative period in South Africa, marked by the end of apartheid, the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, and the subsequent transition to a democratic government with the 1994 elections. Because of my position in the Head Office of the newspaper group, I often attended events hosted by one of our prestigious newspapers, which is how I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Mandela on several occasions.

My first memory of leadership is when my older brother of nearly 5 was the leader marching around the house trailing Cheerios along his path, with my twin sister and me following behind shrieking and laughing while stepping on and crushing as many of those little circles as we could!

Tracey Samlow Starr is a vibrant serial entrepreneur, business and personal development coach, and multiple #1 Amazon best-selling author. Celebrated for her entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic dedication, Tracey is committed to positively impacting the world.

In 2004, my life took a dramatic turn. After enduring five years of an abusive marriage with a man who seemed to have a split personality - Dr. Jekyll one moment and Mr. Hyde the next - I made the courageous decision to break free from the grip of fear and pain.

If leadership can be defined as what others do when the leader is not there, then Executive Presence may be summarized as how other people describe or think of you when you are not in the room. You hear a lot of buzz about “Executive Presence” or EP but few people can really define it.

In this fast-paced world where we often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, maintaining peak performance is crucial. But what if the secret to enhancing leadership skills was not in the latest management book or cutting-edge productivity tool, but in something as simple and accessible as regular exercise?

Thank you for joining us on this enlightening exploration of leadership. We hope the articles within this issue have inspired and equipped you with valuable insights to enhance your own leadership journey.

For many of us, the experiences of our childhood deeply influence the paths we walk as adults. If you’ve ever felt compelled to suppress your true feelings to remain safe in a volatile environment, I feel you—I was that person, too.