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Ok, so you are who you think you are.

How would you describe yourself to someone being mindful that they observe you through the position or title you have, as defined by your gender, or your status as parent, head of the family, breadwinner, boss, whatever?

While you make your way with these ‘labels’, and the expectations based therein, you develop a brand and a reputation in both formal and informal settings. There is no place to hide.

What about your personal philosophy, it’s a key piece of your life’s puzzle. How easily can you articulate it?

When I first mentioned to my wife that I was going to write a book on philosophy, she was relaxing, lying down busily flipping on her cell phone. After a milli-second she let out an indignant chuckle that sounded like a gurgling mountain stream.

Why would it be so amusing? I asked.

What do you know about philosophy? she enquired.

About as much as you do, I guess.

I don’t know much, she replied.

You would know more than you think I said. It’s just that you have probably not given it much thought.

One can get philosophical about anything – it just takes thought, which is what triggered the possibility of another book.

One evening while enjoying an outdoor braai (barbeque) with some friends the conversation wavered between a range of familiar topics. Although we had been friends for over 30 years, I became curious listening to the talk as it flitted between family, economics, sport, culture, politics, leadership and world affairs.

Fascinated by the range of responses, subjective opinions and ‘factual’ citations, at times emotive, I began my quest to question beyond the entertainment value it provided.

After all is finding meaning not the highest pursuit in life, because life matters?

I am the author of Leading Self and Others (how to make a difference where you are with what you’ve got) and Teaming with ideas (life lessons in teams- from business, sport and parkrun). You can contact me here.