Meet Lorne

QUICK TESTIMONIAL: “He’s a such a nice guy” – Lorne’s Mom

His audiences have included executives and employees of organizational giants from NASA, to Sony, AT&T and The World Bank. Business and conference speaker LORNE SULCAS has been inspiring top international organizations, entrepreneurs, athletes and teams on performance since 1996 with his extraordinary Bushveld Lessons™ presentations. In his Thriving in a Wild World™ keynote, Lorne shares game-changing success lesson from Africa’s Big Cats around EXCEPTIONAL TEAMWORK, GROWTH, RESILLIENCE, AND LEADERSHIP IN THE FACE OF CHANGE, CHALLENGES AND COMPETITION.

So Lorne, you’ve spent time in a few places. Where and how come?
Well, I was born and bred on the Atlantic seaboard in Cape Town, South Africa. Left the city and corporate world to follow my dream to work and live in the bush. Guided safaris as a game ranger for about seven years, mostly in South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park, and later in KwaZulu-Natal and Botswana. Then moved to Colorado, USA for seven years, to continue my motivation and training path with my Bushveld Lessons business. ‘Missed the bush and Africa too much so returned (at that time with my wife and our then 2-year old first child) to South Africa in 2003. Now full circle – back in Cape Town– living in the beautiful Deep South. I travel quite a bit to speak, and love coming home! I’m also still in the bush a lot; one of my favorite places being Tanzania where I still guide a safari every year to the Serengeti to see the Great Migration.

What kind of kid were you?
Very involved in sport and extra-murals; hated the academic side of high school – was frequently called into the headmaster’s office to be told I’m “not reaching my academic potential.” Always loved being outside; playing with insects and arachnids (much to my Mother’s horror, when for example, the egg sac of a Black Widow spider I was ‘raising’ hatched out about five thousand live babies – inside a kitchen cupboard at home!). Ironically I didn’t have any real exposure to the bush till much later – then the bug bit (good pun, huh?!) and it became a huge passion when I was at University.

Who is your celebrity crush?
Mmmm…hadn’t really thought about it… 

Ok then: any of Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz or Michelle Pfiefer (I’m dating myself here, aren’t I?! 🙂 ).

What do you like to watch on TV or online?
Sport. And did I say sport? I’m a huge sports fan – ‘love learning about what it takes to win and succeed.

Some NatGeo. Really good movies and with my kids programmes like ‘The Amazing Race’ that have great lessons about goals, perseverance, character and relationships. But I purposely have no DSTV or cable at home ‘cos after years in the bush I learned the joy of picking up a good ‘ole book and I want my kids to know how great that still is. Actually these days they’re picking up a ‘not so ‘ole’ Kindle… My not so subtle tactic’s definitely working though: both my kids are huge readers and I’m excited for them about that. I personally also watch and read whatever else I can that helps me become a better speaker and human being: around current, business or environmental issues and trends; anything to do with success and excellence; other inspirational speakers, entertainers and performers.

How did you get started as a speaker?
Towards the end of my six years as a game ranger and safari guide in South Africa’s Kruger National Park area, one of my guests was a visiting CEO of a prominent US management consultancy. He invited me to speak at a conference in the US on my content I was busy developing about the corporate similarities to the ways in which African wildlife have continued for millennia to be resilient to change, survive competition, exemplify leadership and function as High Performing Teams. Then later when I moved to the USA, I started finding lots of other organisations interested in my message that I could help.

How long have you been doing this?
I’ve been in front of audiences as a leadership and teambuilding trainer and facilitator since the late 80’s. First keynote in ’93. Really started as a ‘real’ speaker in ’96.

So you’re obviously a real pro. Can you say: ‘Peter Piper Picked a Pickled Pepper’ and cross-sell a washing machine at the same time?
No, washing machine has too many syllables…! Hahaha…(I could definitely do it with ‘fridge’ though!)

What do you like most about professional speaking?
Seeing people helped and moved by your message.

And always being able to learn something new about one’s own, others’ and teams’ success, challenges and performance.

What do you like least about it?
Fortunately as soon as someone sees my presentation in person, it’s a ‘no-brainer:’ they ‘get’ the impact and value straight away, and that thankfully leads to many engagements and referrals. But I never feel like describing what I do and speak about to someone who hasn’t actually seen my presentation, ever really ‘cuts’ it. I hate having to ‘blow my own horn.’

Okay, so please blow your own horn here… three achievements you’re proud of that help your speaking business?

• So in other words I have to brag, right?! Okay…
  I think probably the biggest is establishing cred over the years around the world. Appearing on CNN several times has been so interesting. I’ve also managed to win many local and international awards and competitions, which definitely helps to ‘stand out’/true expert. As a speaker, I’m a two-time Division Champion in the Southern Africa region of the Toastmasters International Speech and Evaluation Competition. For my wildlife photography, I’ve won multiple categories, medals and been a finalist in many national and international wildlife photography competitions and salons, including the prestigious Fuji/Getaway Wildlife Photography competitions in South Africa and international BBC Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
• I also hold two Associateship Honours (APSSA) from the Photographic Society of Southern Africa for my wildlife photography, and in a very competitive market my photos and writing have been published in books, magazines and calendars in South Africa, USA and Europe. In my Thriving in a Wild World keynote, the photos -and that they’re my own- adds huge impact.
• In 2007 I started a greeting card company using my own wildlife photographs to create a humourous range of greeting cards, that still today continues to sell extremely well throughout Southern and parts of East Africa, and in a few outlets in Europe. Like any successful endeavour, it’s taken hard work. But it’s a great business, a great teacher and a lot of fun…!

And your biggest accomplishment?
Raising two incredible (okay, I’m a little biased 🙂 ) children into being fully fledged, well functional young adults. And surviving it!

What song(s) best describes your work ethic?
It’s been a hard days night (and I’ve been working like a dog) – The Beatles 🙂

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?
Maybe not have done my post-Grad at UCT and instead start working sooner in my passion with wildlife. I definitely would’ve started speaking professionally and authoring much earlier. And much more surfing (my kids tell me I’m a nicer person when I’m surfing :-)).

Who are your heroes?
People who invest themselves in others, and people who have the courage and work ethic to succeed despite all odds and failure. And then of course, John Cleese. 🙂

What weird or wonderful things do very few people know about you?

• I’m addicted to chocolate
• My son and daughter tease me ‘cos of my taste in music. I love classical (Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelsohn, etc.) and what they repeatedly (and I personally think rather unfairly) call ‘groovy’ (Sting, Queen, Bryan Ferry, Pink Floyd).
• I have a Bachelors Degree in Architecture (would you believe it!!) and a Post-Grad in the Social and Behavioural Sciences from the University of Cape Town.
• I was a serious sportsman in my long-past youth, notably tennis and squash (provincial colours for several years).
• I don’t really ‘do’ desserts. (But I do have to have some chocolate with rooibos tea every night after dinner!).

Other than your speaking, what are you excited about?
Chocolate, my two awesome kids, (listed in no particular order, of course!!), laughter, being in the bush, my kids’ successes and failures, great friends, and the first of my books being published this year!!!

What do you do in your spare time?
Answer interview questions like this…! No seriously, spare time: what’s that…?!

Do you do any volunteer work?
Well, I’m a parent. Does that count?!! 🙂

I do believe we have to give back in life. And that we also have to be an example to our children, of serving and giving back. I’ve served on zillions of committees and organizations. ‘Was involved on the leadership side of the Toastmasters organisation for several years. I coached sport at my kids’ school and helped out on the weekends on the beach with Nippers (surf lifesaving) training, which both my daughter and son did for many years. Although it was often a juggling act as my speaking business (and my travel commitments) grew, it was worth every second to be able to give in that way. I also mentor and coach other inspirational and aspiring speakers, which is always a lot of fun and hugely rewarding.

Jeff Bezos gives you a million dollars to launch your best entrepreneurial idea. What is it?
Making recycling into a sustainable, profitable business.

If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
If you’re willing to risk my culinary expertise…Having spent a lot of time in the bush around a fire, I love to braai (South African for ‘barbecue’). Always happy to get a fire going -a real fire: with real wood… You’d have to tolerate though the somewhat labour intensive ritual I started years ago (to teach my kids) of making a fire from scratch/without firelighters…
I also make some pretty good hearty soups, and thanks to the invention of the air fryer, I make a killer Rosemary chicken 🙂

So how do you make a tuna sandwich?
First you have to catch the tuna 🙂 !!

Then ‘mandatory to have chopped up sweet and sour pickled cucumbers mixed in and maybe even capers. A tiny bit of wasabe really rounds it off nicely.

What’s your favourite quote? And why?
Never tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon. – Unknown. We are limited only by our own thoughts and imagination.

My partner and I are going on vacation, where would you recommend?
For ideal setting, a safari in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Nothing like it anywhere else in Africa. Or the world, for that matter. Nambia is an amazing country, and it’s Etosha National Park is one of my favorites on the continent. But for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, seeing the Great Migration on the plains of the Serengeti/Maasai Mara ecosystems in East Africa is hard to match – an indescribable phenomenon! I mentioned I still guide at least one safari a year there, and it’s absolutely mind-blowing every time.

How hard do you push yourself?
Very hard. Especially on the workfront. Also as a parent and partner. I believe you get out what you put in. There’s no shortcut. Everything takes WORK, including relationships. And a willingness to constantly look in the mirror for ways to be a better human being. 
I do take time off though to surf, read and go to the bush – my happy places:-)

When are you completely satisfied with your work?
Never. There’s always something one can work on -to stretch, get better and improve- to add value.

Why have you succeeded in a field where so many others have failed?
Perseverance and commitment to constant improvement, and having a totally unique niche in my Big Cat work.

How has South Africa changed since Democracy?
Positively: growth of colour-blindness. Negatively: the progressively weak currency.

How have you changed?
I’m even more focused. Oh, and my forehead has increased slightly in surface area 🙂 And my beard’s a little greyer too… 🙂

And finally, what’s the magic formula for success?
Dream. Big. Then go and put in the work to make it happen. 🙂 🙂
And laugh. A lot. It’s the answer to everything 🙂