Life of a Managing Director: My Four Most Inspiring People
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Five words that I’m sure many people can relate to: I didn’t try at school.?
Looking back, if I’d put even a little effort in, I could have walked away with some solid grades. Communication always came naturally to me, and I was pretty good at languages. I never quite reached the promise of my sister, though, who is fluent in French & Spanish. (Meanwhile, these days, I can just about order a beer on holiday).
I’ve never regretted not seeking further education. I chose to learn on the job, and I’m sure that’s been integral to any success I’ve had. That said, I always want to push myself to be the best I can be.
I like to be a poster child for the old cliché: work hard and play hard. To get to the position I’m in now, which is to love what I do and have expendable income, I’ve had to not only work my socks off but think smarter. Education, it seems, comes in many forms.
I’ve never lacked confidence, but even when I’m wavering, it helps me to learn from people who have been there and done it, many whilst facing overwhelming adversity. I like to tune into the feeling that I can achieve anything, and hearing from people laying a blueprint for me to follow, makes it all seem more attainable.
It’s all very well manifesting your dreams, but you have to put the work in too. You have to put yourself in a position to receive the things you’re conjuring up from your bed.
On days when I’m feeling down, jaded or just not firing on all cylinders, there are people I can turn to who remind me of what’s important in life.
Here are four people I follow who help me reset, refocus, and thrive.?
Les Brown
When I got divorced, I was going through a really tough time. Now, I know people respond to different types of inspiration and motivation, but anyone who knows me best will tell you that I prefer a good kick up the backside to get me going.
Les Brown learned from people like Zig Ziglar and other giants of the motivational speaking game.
He had an intellectual disability at school and was branded as mentally retarded (a term which has thankfully long since expired). That never stopped him, though.
He went on to become a radio DJ, won election to the Ohio House of Representatives, became a host on PBS and even had his own talk show on TV. Everything he accomplished was against overwhelming odds.
You can watch one of his videos here
Inky Johnson
Inky Johnson grew up in poverty in Atlanta, raised by his 16-year-old mother. He lived in a house with 14 people and only two bedrooms, so he often shared a bed with six other kids.
From a very young age, he knew hard work was what would help him transcend his environment. At 11, he would visit his mum’s work and ask her to leave the car park lights on. Then he’d run laps. As a promising athlete, he knew football was his best chance at providing for his family.
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It wasn’t long before his efforts were noticed, and he received an offer to be moved to a better school where he could win a scholarship. While mulling it over one day, Inky was washing his hands and saw a sign that read: out of courtesy, please leave this restroom better for the next person. It may seem innocuous to everyone else, but to Inky, it resonated. Even then, it was all about legacy. He knew he wanted to be the first person from his school to go to university; what he was leaving behind was just as important as where he was going.
He not only made it to university, he excelled. In fact, he did so well that one day he was called into a room and told that all he had to do was play as he had been for the next two games, and he’ll be signed by the NFL. Inky called his mum and told her that the money worries were almost over.
In his very next game, he took a hit in a tackle and was unable to get back up, passing out on the field. Inky woke up in hospital to the news that a blood clot in his leg would kill him unless he had immediate surgery.
He had the operation and survived. When he came to, the doctor said, “I’ve got some bad news. “Bad news?” Inky replied. “I was told I was going to die yesterday. I’m still alive; that’s good news!”
Inky lost his arm and his career, but he pivoted like the athlete he’s always been and became one of the world’s most prominent motivational speakers.
As he never tires of saying: It’s not about the end result; it’s about the process.
Chloe Angus
My sister, Chloe, was entrenched in the corporate rat race as international customer service manager for a manufacturer of seals and bearings. Being fluent in French and Spanish (and semi-fluent in Italian), she could travel and work all over the world.
After her marriage to her childhood sweetheart ended, she decided to shift gears.
Chloe left her job and dedicated her life to helping people. As a wellness coach, she now works on her terms, helping her clients irradicate imposter syndrome, build confidence, and change their outlook on life. She does all of this while raising money for cancer charities.
She’s a huge inspiration to me, but also to my young daughter.
Paul Angus
My dad, Paul, has always been an inspiration to me.
He was a business owner with his father until they, unfortunately, went bust.
At the time, I was 11 years old and at aprivate school. Then the money ran out, and I got moved to a comprehensive. There were rumours that we were millionaires, and now my dad was on the dole. Neither was true, of course, but that didn’t stop the bullies.
My dad handled it by doing what he does best; he got to work. And over Christmas, he’d accelerate. He’d be selling Betterware books at people’s houses, working nights in a factory for 12-hour shifts, often getting just a few hours of sleep a day; and all so he could make sure we had presents to unwrap.
To this day, I’ve still never met anyone that works harder than him. Last week he worked until 3 am two nights in a row. He’s 66 years old. In fact, he’s also the only 66-year-old I know on TikTok. He’s on there figuring it out, getting involved in the business and helping us grow. Dad’s always been a great supporter of me, and I’ve retained so many of the values I learned from him growing up. Whether it’s being the hardest worker in the room, paying people what they’re owed, or acting with integrity, it’s all to build a business that can support our family for generations to come.