Pay It Forward and Have a Good Life!

What happens when you dine with the world's #1 leadership guru?

I am thrilled to have been invited by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith to be part of his 100 Coaches group. Marshall is the world’s # 1 leadership thinker and coach (Thinkers50, Fast Company, Harvard Business Review), a highly prolific author. I was doubly delighted that the event coincidently took place at my intellectual oasis, Henley Business School.

The 100 Coaches concept is simple and powerful. A small group of coaches and business leaders from around the world unite with a common purpose - to create a positive impact. In exchange for Marshall's guidance and learning everything he knows at no charge, he wants us to do the same for others, if not today, one day soon.

HONOURING IMPORTANT ENABLERS

Spending time with the great fellow MG100 coaches and the wonderful Sarah McArthur ("Work is Love Made Visible") inspired me to think of people who despite their own full-on professional responsibilities and too many plates spinning are also set on paying-it-forward as a way of being in life, to name just a few:

1. Laine Joelson Cohen, MG100, Leadership at Citi North America, whose wisdom I lean on a lot. In her words, 'leadership happens in small, everyday moments and that each of us has the potential to exhibit leadership by being mindful of these opportunities and making deliberate choices'. Listen to Laine's fantastic podcast https://bit.ly/2FsuWoB
2. Nilema Bhakta-Jones, the creator of Courageous Leaders Event 2019, Champion of Women, Role Model to many https://courageousleadersevent.com/ https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/courageous-women-leaders-iwd-nilema-bhakta-jones/
3. Jill Blane of Jamie's Farm https://jamiesfarm.org.uk/ which acts as a catalyst for change, enabling disadvantaged young people to thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
4. Everyone at Kings Cross Academy and Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children - I'm in awe of your hard work and privileged that I can pay-it-forward to you as you develop leaders aged 5 onwards (I later work with their adult version to carry on your legacy).

MESSAGE FROM MARSHALL

What happens when you dine with the world's #1 leadership guru?

Yes, you discuss business and, yes, you elaborate on how the global socioeconomic factors impact our role as behaviour change experts in the hyperconnected world of shifting paradigms.

But what resonated the most at the end of a busy week was Dr. Marshall Goldsmith's simple reminder in reference to self and those we coach that we are not human doings but human beings in search of meaning and purpose, as well as:

• Take good care of yourself and those around you
• Tame your desire to always win and show how smart you are
• Life is not a contest
• Support communities in this increasingly fragmented world of rising loneliness, unrealistic social media presenteeism and mental health crisis
• Our values are not what we say, our values are what we do
• The second you lose control, you are the problem
• Keep your 'survivor bias' in check, don't postpone vital goals because today is a 'special day' not to start them
• Reputation - it doesn't matter what we say, it matters what they say
• It's ok to need support and people love to help
• Whom do you wish to become? - identity is a dynamic process which you influence through your life. Which part of your identity is worth parting with and eliminating, which part is worth preserving, creating and accepting?
• Last but not least - Life is good!

MY PAY-IT-FORWARD INITIATIVE

As my first official pay-it-forward initiative, I will soon be announcing a coach collective to support innovators in education where funding is scarce and leadership development opportunities minimal. Pm me to register interest.

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