- Team
- What Is
- Origins
- Application
 |
Name: Mario Denton
Position: Character First Consultant
E-mail: mario@crown.org.za
Dr Mario Denton was born in 1955 in Cape Town, South Africa. He is the study leader of 160 MBA research projects, has published eight books and two case studies, has contributed a chapter in book, published six international articles and delivere papers at 32 conferences worldwide. He is an industrial psychologist and international teacher. He holds two counselling diplomas and two master’s degrees, (M Econ and MBA) and completed his PhD in Organisational Behaviour and Business Administration. He has presented People Management courses 44 times consecutively to MBA students and trained about 2 000 participants, of whom 300 MBA were students in Emotional Intelligence. He is CEO of Strong Message Business Consultancy and the Crown Financial Ministries Marketplace Programme Director for Africa, as well as the Africa Director for FCCI.
Mario uses his strong academic and corporate background and his uniquely effective coaching style to help people tap into their inner being to utilise their strengths and enhance their skills and to make a difference in the workplace. He teaches people management, leadership, emotional and spiritual intelligence, organisational behavior and change management. He is an optimist who has a passion for people and tutoring and has a real love for life. He has devoted his career so far to people management and facilitating complex and perpetual change.
Stephen Covey said the following: “I’m convinced that 90% of failures in life are character failures, not ability failures.” I also believe that character is like a diamond and that the ultimate goal is to develop a radiance of character that is so blended together that many qualities sparkle in the light of a single deed. Character is the key that opens the door to true success and I am looking forward to serve you in this regard and to help you implement Character First in your organisation.”
|
| |
 |
Name: Sybrand van den Berg
Position: Character First Consultant
E-mail: characterfirst.za@gmail.com
Sybrand was born in the small Free State town of Vrede (meaning Peace) on 28 April 1969 but has lived in Pretoria since the age of 6. He studied electronic engineering at the University of Pretoria and obtained an Honours degree in electronic engineering in 1995. He also completed a Master’s degree in Real Estate Management in 2003.
In 2002 Sybrand started his own consulting business. FROG IT Solutions specialises in software development and FROG Consulting specialises in security consulting.
Sybrand became involved in Crown Financial Ministries in 2004 and he is currently their co-ordinator for the Pretoria area. During an FCCI conference in 2007 he was introduced to the Character First! concept and immediately saw the need and potential for character development in South Africa. It is with great enthusiasm and energy that he pursues this venture.
|
| |
|
| What is "Character First"? |
Character First! helps people see the value of good character, so they can build better workplaces and communities.
Character First! challenges leaders to model good character and helps them integrate character-based standards in job descriptions, reward structures and management practices. Character First! training tools describe good character and talk about the attitudes a person needs in order to improve relationships and make ethical choices. The character vocabulary helps colleagues challenge and applaud one another for good character.
As people care about integrity and relationships, an organisation will improve customer service, retain good people, strengthen teamwork and build goodwill in the community. But the greatest benefits of a character emphasis come when a person forgives instead of sabotages co-workers, takes responsibility instead of neglects family members, or tells the truth instead of betrays a customer’s trust.
Leadership Training
Character First! begins with training the leaders in your organisation so that everyone understands the importance of character and how to develop it.
- Basic Implementation Seminar for Businesses
- Teacher Orientation Seminar for schools
- Police dynamics for law enforcement
- Family seminar for parents and community organisations
- Conduct a culture survey to identify needs.
Some of the delegates from GEORGE Hospital during Character First
Character Recognition
Public recognition of good character is essential to a culture of good character. Establish regular opportunities to praise individuals for specific character qualities.
- Give public recognition during employee meetings or class time.
- Offer spontaneous recognition during the day.
- Get coaching from a Character First! Consultant to help supervisors or teachers give confident, meaningful character recognitions in public.
|
| How did Character First! begin? |
In 1991, Kimray Inc., an Oklahoma City-based manufacturing company, was experiencing workforce challenges such as low productivity, illegal drug use, low morale, quality problems, high Workmen's Compensation costs, absenteeism, disloyalty, employee theft, and discontentment.
Kimray tried many programmes, and some produced temporary benefits, but nothing was permanent. The owners soon realised that many of their problems were related to a lack of character. Waking up to this need, Kimray began emphasising personal character in the lives of their managers and employees.
In 1992, Tom Hill, President of Kimray, developed and piloted the Character First! programme to help employees reach their full potential as individuals. Kimray restructured its hiring practices, employee recognition, and monthly company meetings to promote good character. Kimray's character emphasis became more than a programme – it became a way of life.
Every month Kimray emphasised one of 49 character qualities using Character First! bulletins to provide definitions and practical applications in the workplace. During monthly employee meetings, supervisors and managers would publicly recognise employees by praising them for their character instead of mere achievement or length of service. Kimray also provided ongoing training sessions for supervisors and managers on how to recognise and develop good character on a daily basis.
In less than two years, Kimray's Workmen's Compensation costs decreased by 80%, and they experienced a 25% increase in profits, even though the market was depressed. Today, Kimray's character emphasis remains strong, and they continue to thrive with a dedicated workforce, quality products and satisfied customers.
Other companies heard about what Kimray was doing and requested information. Because of the growing interest in character development and the number of requests for help, Kimray established the Character Training Institute in Oklahoma City to continue developing Character First! materials and training seminars. |
| Where is Character First! being used? |
Portions of the Character First! curriculum are currently published in eleven languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Mongolian, Korean, Chinese traditional, Chinese simplified, Indonesian, and Telegu (India).
To our knowledge, Character First! is used in the following countries and provinces:
Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Canada (including Quebec), China (mainland), Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Trinidad, Turkey, United States
Is Character First! a religious programme?
The Character Training Institute is an educational organisation focusing on character. The Character First! curriculum teaches 49 character qualities in a non-sectarian manner useful for secular and religious institutions.
One person might study character in a religious setting while another studies character in a secular setting. This does not mean character is religious …it means character is universal. Like the law of gravity, principles of good character apply to people from all backgrounds. That said, Character First! uses a variety of examples to teach the character qualities, making the materials and concepts applicable to many settings. |
|
