Applying Life Experiences to Business – A back-breaking fall changes a life and prompts a fresh start
In a world overloaded with information – hacks for this, advice for that and courses for the other – aren't we all just searching for one or two people who can guide us on the rocky journey of life, love and work? One look at social media and it seems everyone’s hunting for ‘the expert’; a mentor, a coach, a wise woman, a sage man or just someone whose quiet guidance based on lived experience reassures - and encourages - them that, yes, they TOO have the potential and capacity to reach higher or simply push through when the darkness hits.??
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A soldier and avid mountaineer, Darren Edwards’s life changed the moment he suffered a spinal cord injury in a rock-climbing accident. Now an acclaimed speaker and expert in mental toughness and teamwork, he’ll be sharing some of his life lessons at IMEX Frankfurt in May.??
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How do you apply your life experience to business; where are the strongest crossovers??
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In an ever-changing and constantly shifting world, a business's ability to adapt and its staff's mental toughness has become integral to success. My journey tells the story of overcoming a life-changing injury and adapting to a new set of circumstances that presented the greatest challenge I had ever faced. After a fateful day when my life hung in the balance on the edge of a rockface, I learned several powerful lessons that have shaped my ability to adapt and remain resilient during difficult times. These lessons are incredibly relevant to businesses and their leaders. Ultimately, I share five key fundamentals for overcoming adversity and embracing the power of positive change and evolution.?
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What angles and themes are your clients mostly asking for now, compared to a few years ago? In short, what's changed, if anything??
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It's no surprise that since the pandemic, there has been an increased demand for content focused on resilience, mental health, and well-being. As we navigate our way back to normality, there is a growing recognition among leaders of the importance of building positive psychological foundations within their organizations. Resilience and mental toughness will likely continue to be a key area of focus in the years to come. In addition, I’ve also witnessed a growing demand for content that draws lessons in teamwork and leadership from my experiences as a Disabled Adventurer and Expedition Leader. This highlights the recognition that there is value in applying diverse life experiences to the business world, and that inclusivity and adaptability are key components in achieving success.?
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What is it about the power of suffering that often calls us to wake up to our full potential? Are we all 'asleep' until a calamity happens??
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The concept of the power of suffering is both intriguing and worth delving into deeper. As an avid mountaineer and former soldier, I have always recognized the potential for suffering, in the sense of pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, to cultivate self-belief and unlock untapped potential. However, it wasn't until I experienced a life-altering event that I truly understood the transformative nature of suffering. Through a near-fatal climbing accident that left me permanently paralyzed from the chest down and a lengthy rehabilitation process spanning five months, I discovered first-hand how embracing hardship, with the right mindset, can ignite a newfound determination to conquer adversity and transform the seemingly impossible into reality.?
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How and where do people most frequently under or over-estimate themselves??
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It's an intriguing question because in my experience delivering keynotes, I have noticed that people often underestimate their own ability to remain resilient in the face of overwhelming adversity or the need to quickly adapt to a new situation. Whenever possible, I strongly challenge this notion and reject the idea that I am somehow inherently more resilient or mentally tough than anyone else. I firmly believe that each of us possesses the capability to persevere through difficult periods and overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Resilience is ingrained in our collective DNA. While some individuals may naturally possess greater mental fortitude, we all have the capacity to strengthen our resilience and mental toughness. The key lies in actively seeking out experiences that test our limits and push us beyond our comfort zones.?
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Do you think we're all over-obsessed with self-improvement and self-empowerment nowadays? What are we missing? What are we (still) getting wrong??
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There is undoubtedly a growing focus on self-improvement and self-empowerment in modern society. But is this excessive emphasis on personal growth necessarily a negative thing? From my perspective, far from being detrimental, it has brought about valuable progress. While extreme examples of toxic masculinity and femininity do exist, the abundance of information and resources available for personal development has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on our collective growth. As someone who has led expeditions and pursued a career as an adventurer, regardless of disability, I have been both informed and inspired by this societal movement towards self-improvement and empowerment.?
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Which leaders do you admire/follow/take comfort and direction from??
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I have had the privilege of meeting numerous remarkable leaders throughout my life, particularly within the realm of adventure expeditions, who have served as a constant source of inspiration and guidance. However, it was during my time as a soldier before my injury that I underwent the rigorous selection and training process for the SAS Reserves in the UK. The SAS ethos, built upon the pillars of relentless pursuit of excellence, humility, humor, discipline, and an egalitarian society, profoundly influenced me. These principles have consistently guided me through the most challenging moments of my injury and subsequent rehabilitation. Moreover, they have proven invaluable when leading groundbreaking expeditions in demanding environments across the globe.?
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Meet Darren at IMEX Frankfurt, where he’ll be speaking at specialist events, Association Focus and Exclusively Corporate. And presenting a session during the show at the Inspiration Hub. He’ll also be joining the new Tough Talk sessions, discussing important life challenges in a closed environment.??
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Join Darren as well as some of our other brilliant speakers for a quick-fire introduction to IMEX Frankfurt 2024 on Wednesday 13th of March. Discover what you’ll take away from a variety of sessions and gain an insight into what’s to come in our expert-led education program.?Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
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Record-Breaking Adaptive Adventurer Redefining the Impossible | Inspirational Speaker
8 个月Thank you for inviting me to be part of this year's IMEX in Frankfurt. I'm excited to share these lessons and learnings with the expo's delegates across three days!