Author: sheilasingapore

I am a Strategy Development Consultant working with sectoral, national and regional leaders develop the confidence and habits they need with The Fifth Discipline tools and practices to make a systemic impact on growing their nation and economies. My practice spans 25 years. For more information about the works, click here: https://sheilasingapore.wordpress.com/introduction/about/ and here: https://strldi.weebly.com/sheiladamodaran.html

Newspaper Column #15: The Viralness of HIV/AIDs – Part II: The Difference Between Working Hard and Working Smart.

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana May 19, 2013, edition. From a systemic perspective, the causality of HIV/AIDs as a phenomenon will be no different from that of one country to another!  Be it that it is happening in India or Europe or China or here in Botswana, South Africa or Namibia.  Despite … Continue reading Newspaper Column #15: The Viralness of HIV/AIDs – Part II: The Difference Between Working Hard and Working Smart.

Newspaper Column #14: The Viralness of HIV/AIDs – Part I: How Does Viralness Grow?

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared on The Sunday Standard May 12, 2013 edition. It has been a while.  As the articles grew, we took the time to consider an appropriate site for the column.  That search is on-going.  However, for now, the column and I is here and we are glad we are back with you! The … Continue reading Newspaper Column #14: The Viralness of HIV/AIDs – Part I: How Does Viralness Grow?

Newspaper Column #13: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part V

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on Sunday Jan 20, 2013 edition. Change Happens at the Speed of Thinking about the Whole Rather than of Our Individual Parts How did “Uncle solve the problem”?  Ignoring is not solving. Should we see a fire at the corner of our house, caused say, by dry … Continue reading Newspaper Column #13: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part V

Newspaper Column #12: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part IV

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on Sunday Jan 20, 2013 edition. Change Happens at the Speed of Thinking about the Whole Rather than of Our Parts What causes the change to stay changed? If we have managed change and it has happened, it should not go back to its old ways.  Yes? … Continue reading Newspaper Column #12: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part IV

Newspaper Column #11: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part III

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on Sunday Jan 13, 2013 edition. Change Happens at the Speed of Thinking about the Whole rather than of Our Part What causes change to be real?  Understanding it with a story: “The Healing Poison” Hope all of you had fabulous New Year festivities with family loved … Continue reading Newspaper Column #11: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part III

Newspaper Column #10: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part II

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday Dec 23, 2012 edition. Seeing the Trees and the Forest If the problem is solved, it should not come back.  Period!  We would be seeing results. If it recurs, then this is a sign that we have not solved it.  Yet.  Period! Last week, we ran a … Continue reading Newspaper Column #10: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part II

Newspaper Column #9: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part I

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday Dec 16, 2012 edition. Dynamic Complexity vs. Detail Complexity We face problems daily.  And, we do not doubt our ability to deal with them. Sometimes, this confidence can pull wool over our heads that we can deal even with the stubborn ones, in much the same way.  We would … Continue reading Newspaper Column #9: Why do some problems defy, no, NOT change? – Part I

Newspaper Column #8: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part V

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday Dec 9, 2012 edition. Actions have consequences When we bring a bowser to a place that needs water, is that a solution to, or a relief from the problem? The test will be, if that’s the only time we have had to do it.  Then … Continue reading Newspaper Column #8: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part V

Newspaper Column #7: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part IV

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday December 2, 2012 edition. All is not what it seems So was your answer similar to or different from that of your friends? In last week’s discussion (Part III) we saw gradual increases in rainfall levels rose levels of vegetation as well.   Vegetation begins to grow in … Continue reading Newspaper Column #7: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part IV

Newspaper Column #6: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part III

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday November 25, 2012 edition. What goes around comes around. The Good and Bad.  Today we move to the more exciting bits of this series! We will uncover the vicious cycle causing water tables to decline and learn how they contribute to growing aridness to seeing the economy turn … Continue reading Newspaper Column #6: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part III

Newspaper Column #5: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part II

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday Nov 18, 2012 edition Cycle?  What cycle? In Part I last week, we were concluding that the water tables in the region were possibly declining. This series of articles in November is a dedication to this subject. It explores issues of primary industry (raw material) development to water … Continue reading Newspaper Column #5: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part II

Newspaper Column #4: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part I

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday Nov 11, 2012 edition. How high is the Water Table? One of my favorite subjects of the work that I do here is working with the water cycle. Well, all of us learned about it in school.  In Grade 5. Evaporation leads to rainfall.  Rainfall leads to seepage and runoffs.  … Continue reading Newspaper Column #4: Have Greens, Will Rain! – Part I

Newspaper Column #3: Is unemployment, the real problem? The Story of Supply of Labour – Part III

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday Nov 4, 2012 edition. Labour is a cost It can assist to generate revenue but it is firstly, a cost.  When we add them up, it can rack up into billions of dollars.  Easily. Hence a situation of ‘that we have labour’, will not be enough reason why … Continue reading Newspaper Column #3: Is unemployment, the real problem? The Story of Supply of Labour – Part III

Newspaper Column #2: Is unemployment, the real problem? The story of Demand for Labour – Part II

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday Oct 28, 2012 edition. Supply of Labour Industries (be they by locals or foreigners) do not exist for the sole purpose of employing citizens.  Hard as it may be to accept this point, it really is not that difficult to see the reason. What is harder to see … Continue reading Newspaper Column #2: Is unemployment, the real problem? The story of Demand for Labour – Part II

Newspaper Column #1: Is unmployment the real problem – Part I

by sheilasingapore

As it appeared in the Sunday Standard, Botswana on  Sunday Oct 21, 2012 edition (maiden print). This is the 1st of a three part series of this article.  Each part will build on the earlier article to an eventual conclusion.  We invite you to participate in the column as well as do your ‘own homework’ – searching and … Continue reading Newspaper Column #1: Is unmployment the real problem – Part I

Article 1: The Magic of Systems Thinking!

by sheilasingapore

Dear all, Hope this mail finds all of you in good spirits among all that you wish for in your life. Some of you may know that I have been away from Singapore since 2007 being part of a programme here in Botswana where I had assisted the government learn and appreciate the five disciplines … Continue reading Article 1: The Magic of Systems Thinking!

Article 3: We are peaceful people

by sheilasingapore

“We are peaceful people,” because we do not talk to each other when we are feeling angry (about something or somebody). Instead we keep it (bottled) inside within us (causing our body blood pressures and the cost of running the Ministry of Health in the country both to rise).  We do this, because, “should we … Continue reading Article 3: We are peaceful people

Article 2: Setting goals is the easy part. Reaching them is not!

by sheilasingapore

REACHING THE GOALS YOU HAVE SET IS NOT EASY TILL …. WE FACE AND DEAL WITH STUBBORN PROBLEMS It is a management question. Are you there yet?  What are you doing to get there?  Have you set goals for you and your team? Yet, setting of goals is really the easy part.  And there are … Continue reading Article 2: Setting goals is the easy part. Reaching them is not!

Regional Article 23: Unemployment, labour disputes, economic diversification and fertility

by sheilasingapore

  Most countries think supply of labour should drive demand.  We forget then (or choose not to admit to ourselves) that it is demand that drives supply in any situation.  Not the other way around.  It is just not realistic to believe that because we have so many ‘young ones’ here, that there should be jobs … Continue reading Regional Article 23: Unemployment, labour disputes, economic diversification and fertility

Regional Article 20: Why do disputes by labor (with unions) and employers go up?

by sheilasingapore

Despite our efforts to set up judiciary courts to preside over cases involving employers and employees embroiled in disputes with each other as well as educate ‘people’ on ways to avoid disputes with each other, why do relations between employers and employees continue to sour and such disputes tend to soar year after year?  Surely, … Continue reading Regional Article 20: Why do disputes by labor (with unions) and employers go up?