“Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration - of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine.”

Lance Secretan; Industry Week, 10/12/98

It has been about 4 years now since Jules and I met up. The last 4 years has seen Avo grow hugely. If you remember, 4 years ago Avo was just Jules, Grant, Clint, Hanli and Carin. Just a few years later we have 24 team members (at the last count anyway)!

I have watched Jules make the transition from running a tiny business to leading an awesome training and consulting company dedicated to delivering the most inspired training possible. Most people who meet up with Avo are struck by the what we call the Avo culture. It has been described as something between; warm and fuzzy, innovative and fresh, committed and inventive, etc. Clients and associates alike are struck by the dedication of the team towards their clients and each other. This Avo culture  is what  defines Avo and makes it magic.

As Walt Disney said (and as Jules keeps reminding us) “There is no magic in magic, it’s all in the detail.” This is what makes Jules a leader.

Jules runs a tight ship, about that there is no doubt. She could best be described as a detail ‘ball-buster’ who can spot a miscalculation, an uncrossed ‘t’, incorrect punctuation or incorrect grammer from 50 feet! But her ball-busting is because of her ability to visualise the potential of her team. And quite frankly nothing but the best is acceptable to her. She wants the only the very best for her team, and her clients. Nothing less is acceptable.

She probably sees or knows more about what we are capable of than we do. She is able to drive you to fulfill your potential… It is as if she sees the potential hidden within, and focuses all her attention on developing the magic and the power lying within you.

Now most people come into the world seeking to receive rather than to give, yet here is a woman completely centered on providing for others, developing others… She lives and breathes to grow and develop people. Her commitment is to this country and the enormous pools of undiscovered talent that we have here.

Yes, it is easy to give someone a job, but for Jules that is simply not enough. For Jules it is about opening her heart and often her life and her home to those who cross her path. Empowerment for her is not just about making money or giving money. It would be so easy to be committed to just making money and keeping people safe and yourself as well… To serve yourself and your family only.

Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Money is important yes, but true wealth for Jules lays in her ability to inspire,motivate,encourage and develop people one day at a time.

For Jules it is about growing every aspect of the person to empower them so completely that a life is changed forever.

Jules your time has come, it is time to birth FOOTPRINT.

Well done!

Jules, it is time!.