Power and Influence: Self-Development Lessons from African Proverbs and Folktales

Power and Influence demonstrates how the indigenous wisdom contained in African proverbs and folktales can be used to enhance modern life. The timeless wisdom contained in African proverbs and folktales enriches self-development and positive influence. The inspiring results provide deeper understanding of self-development and self-leadership, forming a solid foundation for leadership effectiveness at all levels. This book is among the first to consciously acknowledge and demonstrate the rationale of applying indigenous wisdom to enhance the understanding of disciplines, theories, and practice. African proverbs and folktales express an accumulated wisdom of human relations; add dimensions to practice in ways that are soulful, respectful, practical, and socially embedded. By using African indigenous wisdom, the book contributes towards the much-needed, cross-cultural dialogue among individuals, organizations and societies in this increasingly diversified world.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Preface Chapter 1: The Emerging Age of Wisdom Chapter 2: Purpose Chapter 3: Concentration Chapter 4: Turning Vision to Work Chapter 5: Building Mental Power Chapter 6: Growing One’s Money Tree Chapter 7: Time Management Chapter 8: ‘Self’ in Self-development Chapter 9: Influence Chapter 10: Self-Development and Leadership Chapter 11: Conclusion Appendix 1: Power and Influence Proverbs Appendix 2: Personal Development Self Assessment Tool Appendix 3: Self-development Interventions Bibliography Index About the Author

About the Author :
Chiku Malunga is the first and leading indigenous wisdom-based organization development writer. He holds a doctorate degree in development studies from the University of South Africa. He is currently the director of CADECO (Capacity Development Consultants), an organization that promotes African-centered organizational improvement models.

Review :
[T]his book vividly highlights the cognitive relevance of African cultural heritages, of which proverbs and folktales are important segments. This well-researched, cogently argued, timely, and intelligently organized book provides important insights into African cultural heritages that are very riveting and prescient and logically and seamlessly flows from one theme to the next, making this a pleasurable reading experience. Hence, the author has made the sometimes complex cultural and sociopolitical entanglement of African folktales accessible to both scholars and lay readers. . . .Malunga’s text would be an excellent resource for anyone concerned with or currently engaged in multicultural self-development. The tone of the message is challenging, engaging, and uplifting, as it provides tips and hope for multiculturalists who may be weary of the continual struggle over the cognitive value of African oral literature. Malunga…pioneer[s] and demonstrate[s] how the indigenous wisdom in African proverbs and folktales can be used to enhance modern life. In this book, he brilliantly and convincingly demonstrates how. If you value wisdom, read this book—it shows how to rely on the wisdom of the centuries, not on the whims of the moment. If development and democracy in Africa are to be ‘home grown,’ the deep insights about endogenous human relations contained in the continent's proverbs and folklore will be a critical measure of this achievement. This tome of African wisdom provides insight into a long hidden world which will be valuable for those seeking to understand and learn from an authentic source of African oral history….Sometimes amusing, often inspiring—this book is a great read. …A must-read for all who are interested in their own and others development. Malunga makes his case for self-development with great honesty and wisdom, drawing upon a mixture of African indigenous proverbs, self-development literature, and—most importantly—his own life experience…Malunga has done a marvelous job in combining these strands, whilst maintaining his own unique voice.