The Legacy Project

Rob Caskie Legacy Project shares his Stories of human trials and triumphs never go out of vogue, and mesmerising storyteller extraordinaire Rob Caskie, with his walking stick and trademark shorts, brings them alive like no other.

Often in the settings where such stories unfolded, in South Africa and abroad.

In a world of instant gratification, the art of a powerfully told story belongs to few and relies on he who stirs the imagination. Most interested in how people behave when challenged and under pressure, he believes we only reveal our true strength in adversity – and he shows audiences how they can draw on this to thrive in uncertain times.

Rob Caskie Legacy Project - #1 WeSpeak Global Rob Caskie Legacy Project shares his Stories of human trials and triumphs never go out of vogue, and mesmerising storyteller

Chris Bertish has a string of notable world firsts under his belt. He won the Mavericks Big Wave International surfing event in the biggest and heaviest waves ever recorded in the history of the sport.

He also recently became the first person ever to cross any ocean on a SUP board, paddling 7500km’s solo, unsupported and unassisted for 93 days, across the Atlantic Ocean from Morocco to Antigua.

Being an inspirational speaker requires him to travel all over the world, inspiring audiences to believe that they too can achieve great things. His mission is to raise money for charities like the Lunchbox Fund through his expeditions.

Interview
Chris Bertish definition Of Success Is | Inspiring & helping others, while squeezing the most out of life. One day and one goal at a time. I try and live life by this everyday and in everything I do.



I Am Driven By | Testing myself mentally & physically, pushing the limits of what’s possible & living with the courage to follow my passions, by believing in myself, my path, while in turn, inspiring others to believe they can too, if they truly set there mind to it…as Nothing’s Impossible unless you believe it to be.



The Difference Between good And Great | A strong enough drive, hunger, desire and will/ want to succeed, so they want it so badly it’s like the need to breathe. Dogged determination, commitment, an unwavering belief in yourself and an ability to see past any obstacle that arises no matter how big it may seem at the time…. and most importantly of all, to never, ever, ever, ever give up!

If you don’t give up you can never fail. As, there’s no such thing as failure in life, only a failure to try.



My Key Strength | Dogged determination, a toughened resilience, a never give up, never give in attitude, coupled with an unwavering belief & trust in myself, my decision & my ability to achieve any goals that I set for myself. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Chris Bertish | The Legacy Project | Ocean Adventurer Big Wave Surfer, Adventurer and Professional Speaker

Lee Colan Definition Of Success | You don’t have to become an industrial baron and make a billion dollars to live a life of significance. All you have to do is share the resources you now have. However insignificant you may think they are, your resources are often of greater value to someone that they are to you.

The straightforward way to live a life of significance is simply to share your three T’s: time, talent, and treasure. Our lives are meant to give away–to significant causes, to loving families, to friends in need, to lasting relationships. Find a way that your gifts can serve others. Your time, energy, and money are precious resources–they are limited, and you are the sole owner. If you spend them in one area, you can’t spend them in another. When we say “yes” to one thing, by default we are saying “no” to something else. The key to winning is to say “yes” to the significant things in your life.



1.) Time. It’s a paradox of life that only by giving away our time do we make our lives meaningful, for time is the most precious gift of all. The time we spend playing with a child or grandchild, chatting with a bedridden friend, coaching a team member, supporting a colleague, or serving those in need in our community cannot be measured in dollars but is priceless. And life rewards those who donate their time, first in terms of their own satisfaction and the good opinion of others, later in ways they can never foresee. The time may come when you need a hand, and there will be many more hands offering help than you can count.

2.) Talent. There’s something especially rewarding about applying your best talents toward the benefit of others. The way to make the greatest contribution with your talent is by recognizing and using your strengths. Applying your talents to something bigger than yourself–a team’s goal, an industry meeting, a professional association or a community project–inspires a sense of meaning and significance.

3.) Treasure. You don’t have to be wealthy to donate your treasure to others–an insignificant part of modest holdings can be a fortune to others–but stories of truly generous wealthy people inspire us. Here’s one such story.
In 1981, business leader and self-made millionaire Eugene Lang looked out at the faces of the 59 African-American and Puerto Rican sixth-graders who had come to hear him speak. Years earlier, Lang had attended this same school in East Harlem. Now, he wondered ho

Lee Colan | The Legacy Project | Co-Founder Of The L Group Lee Colan Definition Of Success | You don’t have to become an industrial baron and make a billion dollars to live a life of significance. All you have to do is share the resources you now have. However insignificant you may think they are, your resources are often of greater value to someone that ...

Nomndeni Mdakhi Definition Of Success | Success is about making decisions every day that bring you closer to the dream, the bigger vision of who you want to become, being an active participant in this journey is success, small milestones, achievements, that is what it is all about. You never know when your day will come but if it finds me in this journey to the ultimate vision of me. I would have lived an amazing life.



Has your definition of it changed? | Definitely, I think at the beginning it is all about the things other people can see, the money you can accumulate, the things you can afford but as you mature, your definition of success becomes more personal.



I Am Driven By | Gees, the other I had a light bulb moment. I posted the following thought. “The realms of human potential excite. For me the best way to give praise to God is to show what He can make possible for humankind by reaching your true potential.” The mission for me to be the best that I can be is what drives me.



My Highlights | Personally: It was getting to a point where I was managing my role as a mother, business person and wife better. The balance is hard but necessary.

Professionally: I give personal branding talks to girls every two months at a school I own with DJ Zinhle and I always say to them. As your set out on your journey you need to write down what you want people to say when they are talking about you and then shape your behavior and attitude to attain that. So, every time I hear someone say all the things I wrote on that initial list about my business and myself as a professional, I get goose bumps.

Nomndeni Mdakhi | The Legacy Project Entrepreneur | Speaker

Peter van Kets, Definition Of Success: To be able to achieve the vision that you have set out for yourself, from a personal and a professional perspective. Most importantly I believe that being significant is way more important than being successful. Therefore, success is not about winning a race but about what happens afterwards. I feel successful if I can inspire people and change that way they think about themselves.



I Am Driven By: what I can achieve during and from my expeditions that have positive conservation results. There is a difference between what motivates me and what drives me. Supporting my two charities, The Karel du Toit Centre for the Deaf and Children in the Wilderness drive me. If the wilderness in Sub Saharan Africa is to thrive, I believe that it is the children living in these areas that need to be supported and educated.



My Highlights: A major highlight was meeting my wife Kim, that event changed the course of my life. The birth of my daughter Hannah was a huge highlight and a life changing experience. Other highlights include winning the Trans-Atlantic rowing race in 2008 and holding the South African flag over the South Pole commemorating the Centenary of the Scott Amundsen race in 2011.



The Characteristics Of Success: Many books have been written on this topic and people have their own ideas however I believe there is not just one characteristic that will determine success. People also believe that if you have socio economic advantages, you will have guaranteed success, I don’t adhere to this. Attending top schools, having a high IQ will not automatically result in success. For me, the significant predictor to achieve and sustain success is perseverance.
My boat for the Trans Atlantic race was called “Ngama Zela” which means perseverance, but it also means more than that. It also means to see something through to the end and to see it through well and with significance. Vas byt!

Peter van Kets | The Legacy Project | Motivational Speaker Professional Endurance Adventurer, Conservationist and Keynote Speaker

Alex Seropian made his name as one of the founders of Bungie, the developers of Halo (the most successful box games of all time with $4 billion in revenue and more than 50 million games sold). Alex recently founded Industrial Toys a company focused on revolutionizing mobile games for core gamers and who are very close to launching their first ground-breaking and very anticipated game, Midnight Star.

Interview
Alex Seropian Highlights | I’m very proud of what we’re able to achieve, what we’re dealing with, particularly with Halo; it’s gone on to have a life of its own that’s above and beyond anything we would have expected when we were working on the game. So I think absolutely it’s up there as one of the things that I’m most proud of. I would say I’m maybe just slightly more proud of the fact that the team and Bungee as itself, you know, lives on, and so does Wide-load.

Alex Seropian 2 Daily Actions and Habits | When I get up I do something to take care of myself, something completely not work related… And after that I tend to make lists. And I tend to do that by hook or by crook, really just to get myself some goals for the day to try and get some things crossed off. I don’t know if everybody is like this. I don’t know if this is exactly a successful trait or quality or whatever but I think it’s good to cross things off lists… And then when I get to work, I basically check in with everybody on the team, to make sure that they are sort of pointed in the right direction.

Alex Seropian | The Legacy Project | WeSpeak Global Creator of Halo and Mobile Game Producer

What has been Paddy Upton biggest failure / learning experience? |My biggest professional error, and lesson, came when I was coaching the Indian cricket team with Gary Kirsten (2008-2011). After joining the team, the results were on the up and getting lots of positive media attention. Gary as head coach was getting the lions share of the accolades, and very few knew of my backroom contributions. In preparing for a tournament between the worlds top eight nations, hosted in South Africa in 2009, Gary and I prepared the team exceptionally well, which included giving players personalised leather-bound folders with all sorts of notes, plans and information. Much of the content within the folders was my work, including things about diet, exercise, the mental game, the impact of s*x on performance, etc. Much of it was written in tongue-in-cheek style to keep players interest.

The tournament was being held in our home country, South Africa, and there was also an Indian journalist on that tour who took an interest in my work. I also knew the chance of these folders being leaked to the media was high. I joined the dots and leaked the folder to him, knowing he would write a well-informed feature article on the wonderful work Paddy Upton was doing behind the scenes that was driving the Indian cricket renaissance.

What I woke to the next morning was the polar opposite of my plans! News across the cricketing world was that coach Gary Kirsten was promoting the Indian players to have s*x before performance, regardless whether their wives were on tour or not. And if they couldn’t get s*x, they should go solo whilst imagining they are getting it from whomever they wanted. This was scandalous, exacerbated by the fact that Gary and his family are committed Christians, which brought him disgrace on so many fronts. Gary was even prepared to resign from the job should the Indian authorities require a scapegoat for this embarrassment.

I told Gary that it was me who leaked the document, and that I did so to get recognition for my work. When I confessed and made a heartfelt apology to his wife, who is from a prominent Christian family, it was too much to ask to hold back the tears.

Gary and I had a longstanding and close friendship, which helped us move past this with the relationship intact. It was a powerful lesson of just how ineffective we can be as leaders, when we operate to serve our own ago and its need to look good, rather than serve the interests of the people we are charged to lead.

Paddy Upton | The Legacy Project | Leadership Speaker The Art of Leadership

What drives Sterling Hawkins? | I’m constantly driven to realize the full potential in myself and others. There’s this funny thing about potential — we treat it like it’s real even though it’s not yet. We might even say to each other: “you have so much more potential!” or “your business has the potential to…”. I’m about not just seeing that potential, but taking the steps to make it real.



What do you think is often the difference between people who are good at what they do and people who are great at what they do? | What makes people great is a commitment to excellence over time. Most people can do an 80% job; it’s the attention to small details adding up over time that brings it to that 100%. We’re all capable of it, it just takes a tremendous willpower to continually stand for that greatness.



What has been your biggest failure / learning experience? | I have two actually. The first came when the group that acquired my first company raised over $550 million USD before going bankrupt. The company was great at spending more — first class tickets, parties at the Four Seasons, bringing in high-profile business people . I was ready to retire and buy an island with my holdings. I left before the bankruptcy, but I learned how not to operate a business and what not to do. Maybe more importantly, I learned that satisfaction, fulfillment and real innovation come from within, not the external world.



The second was about five years ago when another business I had fell apart. At the time is coincided with some family issues, a romantic relationship ending, and I had very little cash. It was like my life had become a bad country song. But my mom, quoting Robert Frost, told me, “The way out is through.” I realized the path to success and to fulfilling potential was by owning and doing the hard things in the future.

Sterling Hawkins | The Legacy Project | Leadership Speaker Innovation & Leadership

Timothy Maurice Webster definition of success | Finding perspective as your journey evolves. You will experience extreme highs and lows but success is being able to see yourself in relation to your goals. Goals shift and evolve over time but perspective is a constant. Early in my career, accumulating a strong reputation was important, but as I’ve grown I realize that seeking perspective has to be a starting point and the rest sorts itself out.



I am driven by | Inspiring people to see the potential of their brain to elevate their creativity and ultimately their story and legacy.



My ‘MAGIC’ comes from | My ability to find perspective in relating my life experiences to the explosive potential of other people.



The difference between good and great | There are many variables that separate the good from the great, but most of it is relentless grit. When you add a strong IQ along with self-discipline and passion, you have a recipe for greatness.



A key talent | My ability to see women for who they are rather than as just s*x objects.

Timothy Maurice Webster | The Legacy Project Author and Thought Leader

Chris Wilkins Definition Of Success | Success is often interpreted as relative. It becomes a competition. Success for me means making something happen that is generally believed to be impossible or fraught with ‘risk’.



I Am Driven By | My desire to control my own destiny and lead a simple but stimulating life.

The Difference Between Good And Great | What is good and what is great? Who measures this? I think we all are given wonderful gifts, and being ‘great’ in 1970 involved different gifts that might be construed as ‘good’ in 2015.

A Key Talent | I can speak and I can write. I can define a concept in simple terms, and give you the confidence that it holds water. But you cannot replicate talent. Talent is finding out what you good at, what you enjoy, which means you will look ‘talented’ once you find out what you good at. If it sounds obscure, it is.

The process of discovering your talents will start when you leave academia. Talent is certainly not getting good grades at school or university. Talent is making stuff happen around you and feeling fulfilled afterwards. In fact, finding ways to really fulfill your ambition is a talent. Life is measured over a lifetime, but it is short. So try things out and discover what you really good at.



The Characteristics Of Success | I completely trust what feels right. But I will also consider my partners and the team around me. I trust them to give me the balance we need as a team. I will always put my view out there, but I am happy to be convinced I need to tweak or change my view and approach.

Chris Wilkins | The Legacy Project | Dynamic Technology Chris Wilkins Definition Of Success | Success is often interpreted as relative. It becomes a competition. Success for me means making something happen that is generally believed to be impossible or fraught with ‘risk’.   I Am Driven By | My desire to control my own destiny and lead a simple but...

Rana Florida on the Difference Between Good And Great | People who are great at what they do, have a singular drive and focus; they are dedicated and work very, very hard. They eliminate distractions and stay the course. When I see experts work, whether it’s a scientist in his lab, an author deep in his thoughts, or a creator in studio, it truly is a one-of-a-kind experience seeing a genius in their zone.



The Characteristics Of Success | I’ve always been curious, hungry for more information. In fact researchers say the most important question a toddler can ask is Why? It shows that they are inquisitive and want a deeper understanding. I’m always hungry for more information. On the hunt, I read anything I can get my hands on. I remember as a child after devouring the adult rags my father had laying around such as Time and Newsweek, I would read the packaging on boxes, the back of medicine labels, practically any household item I could get my hands on. Then I discovered the bookstore and would lock away for hours in my room, racing cover to cover on a stack of books.



Principles I Live By | Always be excellent. Why settle for second best? Strive for excellence.



Critical Skills I Develop | To take risks. When I wrote my book upgrade, I interviewed a wide range of successful people. From President Bill Clinton to First Lady Michelle Obama, to tennis champ Andre Agassi to fashion designer Tory Burch and so many others. I found one common theme throughout all my interviews. They were not afraid to take risks. Most successful leaders, thinkers and innovators inherently understand that new opportunities and rewards come only after taking risks. Facebook’s motto is “Move fast and break things,” meaning, it’s okay to take a chance on several things at once. Curiosity is stifled in a risk-free environment.

If workers are afraid of getting laughed at for their ridiculous ideas, any number of important inventions won’t ever see the light of day. Our society and workplaces need to encourage more risk-taking. Innovative leaders understand that not every risk yields success, but they also don’t reprimand their teams for taking risks. They encourage them to think their ideas through and assess their potential consequences.

Rana Florida | The Legacy Project | Business Management Rana Florida on the Difference Between Good And Great | People who are great at what they do, have a singular drive and focus; they are dedicated and work very, very hard. They eliminate distractions and stay the course. When I see experts work, whether it’s a scientist in his lab, an author deep ...

Ommo is the Founder and CEO of iBez, a technology company that provides software development services and also owns a number of web-based applications.

She is a qualified IT Practitioner, entrepreneur and public speaker with many years of experience gained from working for a string of well-known investment banks and software companies both in the UK and Nigeria. Ommo is an Alumnae of London Guildhall University UK with BA (Hons) Business Admin, and Brunel University UK with MSc Information Systems.

Interview
Ommo Clark is Driven By | I am driven by the belief that I have a duty to make a positive contribution to society and help people. A lot of people are born into circumstances and situations which they did not choose by themselves and they have no means to get themselves out of these situations. My mission is to use technology as a tool to help people and businesses get from where they are now to where they want to be. For example, one of the key issues facing households in Nigeria is finding competent tradespeople for their household repair and maintenance jobs. To solve this problem, I decided to build an online portal where people can easily and conveniently find certified and vetted tradespeople in their areas for their repair and maintenance jobs. However in researching and recruiting tradespeople to be listed on this application, we found that the vast majority of artisans in Nigeria have never had the opportunity to get an education or receive professional training simply because they were born into very poor families who send them out to work as soon as they are old enough. So in addition to providing a platform for the tradespeople to advertise their services which coincidentally was also an issue for them because of huge traditional advertising costs, they also get a chance to be receive basic training and improve their skills.





My Highlights | Graduating from university in the top five of my class both for my first and second degrees were very special moments especially as I worked full-time throughout my studies to fund my education. Furthermore, returning to Nigeria and building my businesses from grounds up with very little money, support or connections has been amazing. The businesses are not yet where I want them to be, but the reception we are getting so far is just incredible. Last year, I entered one of my soon-to-be-launched online businesses – Handy Jacks into a business plan competition organized by the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), we made it to the semi-finals out of nearly 700 initial applicants across Africa and the feedback I received is that ‘Handy Jacks has the potential to change a lot of lives across sub-Saharan Africa and make a huge impact’. This made me proud.

Ommo Clark | The Legacy Project Entrepreneur | Technology Speaker