Life Beyond The Numbers

#162 Never Think You Are Reaching Too High - Margaret de Valois (From the Archives)

"Never think you reaching too high. If you want to do something, go for it, go for what you actually want." Mags de Valois
 
Note: This episode from the archives was originally episode #13 on Oct 20th, 2020. For this episode I have recorded a brief introduction and a summary at the end with my key takeaways. 
 
Margaret de Valois shares her journey of embracing her individuality while navigating the corporate city world and breaking the mould. We talk about how much more rewarding it is to make active choices and really consider what it is that you want to do in life. We talk about stereotypes, how she felt as if she was in "a controlling relationship with the City" and her relocation to Cornwall. We also delve into her love of people, communication and pensions as well as her experience with the London Philharmonic Choir.
Margaret de Valois is an award-winning seasoned City professional now living in Cornwall. She qualified as an actuary and works as a Business Coach who helps businesses generate great ideas and plan practical strategies to guarantee business growth. And she is a co-host of the TV show Thinking Women.  
 
Connect with Mags
Through her website 
Thinking Women TV
 
Resources Mentioned
State Pension - UK Gov website

#161 All Roads Lead to Centre - Claudia Anghel

"I'm consistently, continuously discovering this... I discovered that the key is the centre. Not losing your centre. This message constantly comes to me, all roads lead to centre. Because of course it's normal, human, to go into extremes." Claudia Anghel
 
Claudia Angel talks about her transition from a traditional career in human resources to working with the resources of humans and guiding them in life. Claudia reflects on a pivotal moment that reshaped her career path. It happened after the end of a 13-year-long career with a multinational organisation that she loved. The end was abrupt but it lead to a significant life transition for Claudia. Claudia talks about the power of pausing and then pivoting and finally merging. During this time Claudia discover the Gene Keys — a system derived from ancient wisdom dating back 5,000 years ago. She talks about how Gene Keys provide insights into different aspects of your life, including work-life and various existential topics.
Claudia Anghel founded the holistic HarRa Center for Gene Keys students as a space to creatively express their gifts and grow together. Following a traditional career in human resources including working as an international HR professional Claudia made a shift from human resources to working with people's inner resources and guiding them in life. Claudia loves to bring people together in an energy of trust, familiarity, and collaboration.
 
Connect with Claudia
Through her website
Through the Gene Keys website
On LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram
 
Resources Mentioned
The Answer to How Is Yes by Peter Block
PWN Global: Professional Women’s Network
Gene Keys
The Art of Contemplation by Richard Rudd
 
 
 

#160 Create!

"Every conversation we have is co-created with other people."
 
In this solo episode I reflect on the influence of creative thinking in daily life. The World Economic Forum's top 10 skills of 2023 highlights creative thinking as the second top skill. Although creativity is often linked to monumental achievements or works of art, creativity emanates from all humans in our everyday activities. It is the ability to bring something into existence that didn't exist before.  Acknowledge the creativity you exhibit in your daily lives, from creating meals to creating conversations.
 
Resources Mentioned:
The World Economic Forum Top 10 Skills
Michael Neil 
Aengus Fletcher on ChangeStories

#159 Freedom to be Human - Karina Rook

"We are always at our best when we have freedom to be human. And what I mean by that is when we remember, or lean into, what makes us human, oh my gosh, that's octane for our performance and it's so much easier." Karina Rook
 
Karina Rook is an advocate for the virtue of 'freedom to be human' in our work-lives. In our conversation we cover the importance of genuine connection, overcoming stress and burnout, the role of rest and recovery and the concept of authentic self-leadership. We discuss the art of listening to our intuition, and nurturing attributes that light us up. Karina underscores her belief that humans are wired for success, and that compassion, understanding, and freedom to be human, dissolve barriers to optimal performance. And we discuss intriguing research that demonstrates, surprisingly, that performance only accounts for 10% of career success. Image or perception by others is 30% and networking or visibility contributes a whopping 60%. 
 
Karina Rook is the founder of Ventures Green Ltd. and has embarked on a mission to empower women in their pursuit of holistic well-being. Her qualifications span biology, business, nutrition, mindfulness, and coaching, woven with 24+ years of empowering individuals, teams, and businesses in the corporate world. She stands against workplace inequality and believes every woman deserves to shine. Ventures Green is built upon values of freedom, interconnectedness, stardust, and adventure. She is the host of the Freedom to be Human podcast. 
 
Connect with Karina
Through her website Ventures Green
On LinkedIn
Celestial Coach on Instagram
Freedom to be Human podcast
 
Resources Mentioned
Harvey Coleman career success research
Dr. Dorian Dugmore 
Good to Great by Jim Collins
 

#158 Wake Up - Caroline Tanja Banz

"This is my mission, I think this is what I really want to do and what I'm born to do, to help people wake up." Caroline Tanja Banz
 
Caroline Tanja Banz shares her journey of self-discovery, which led her to 'marry herself' symbolically as an act of self-love and commitment to her own needs. Prior to this she said she had been a chameleon, adapting to situations and people around her instead of understanding herself. We delve into the Enneagram, a model of human psyche. Caroline advocates for the Enneagram as a powerful tool for understanding our behavioural patterns, deepening our relationship with ourselves and others, and ultimately awakening to our true selves. We talk about this tool in the context of the work environment. And we cover the importance of self-reflection. 
 
Caroline Tanja Banz felt since she was a child that one day she would like to do something to make a difference. At first she wanted to be a musician, but then she completed a commercial apprenticeship. Then she became a mother to two wonderful boys. Music has accompanied her over the years and she still loves to bring joy to people with her music. When she later studied law, she learned a lot of practical things, but soon knew that this was not fulfilling her long-cherished desire. Today she is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and a trained Enneagram Coach. She loves her profession and has always enjoyed supporting people. Nature and sustainability are very close to her heart. 
 
Connect with Caroline
Through her website Be Your True Self 
 
Resources Mentioned
Be Your True Self sung by Caroline Tanja Banz
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz 
Episode 120, Reconnecting with Sam Allen
 

#157 Being Human (from the archives + new intro)

"Happiness comes from a wide variety of different sources. And actually happiness is not the one single thing that we should pursue because part of being human is the whole world of emotion and feelings. And all of them are valid." Gavin Andrews
 
In this episode, we explore the concept of mind-body connection and its implication for workplaces. The excerpts  highlight the importance of understanding and embracing emotions and feelings as a part of human intelligence rather than suppressing it. Guests share insights on navigating emotional data, enhancing emotional intelligence at a large scale in organisations, the power of belonging, importance of feelings, and the intersection of emotions and rationality. The conversation also emphasises the need for leaders to understand employee emotions, challenge unconscious biases, and foster a greater sense of belonging in the team. The episode offers a different perspective than traditional ways of thinking, urging listeners to tune in to embodied consciousness and bring their emotional selves to work for a more fulfilling and meaningful work-life. 
7:30 Steve Haines on how minds and body are connected and the importance of feeling safe including with our interactions with others
13:00 Gavin Andrews on accessing the wisdom of the heart and state of coherence - an optimal state for heart and brain to be in
17:55 Rebecca Cheetham on mind-body disconnection and squishing emotions
18:50 Lisa Milnor on bringing awareness to the body
25:10 Gavin Andrews on bringing our emotional self to work
26:55 Steve Haines on how to make sense of sensations in our body
28:50 Matt Phelan on emotional data in the workplace and a sense of belonging
35:55 Jenny Ashmore on the power of a sense of belonging for teams
 
Resources Mentioned:
My forthcoming book: Leading Beyond the Numbers: How Accounting for Emotions Tips the Balance at Work
Alison Jones & Practical Inspiration Publishing 
Coaches Rising
Episode 10, Life Beyond the Numbers, This Feelings Business with Steve Haines
Episode 38, Life Beyond the Numbers, Wisdom and Technology with Gavin Andrews
Episode 48, Life Beyond the Numbers, Baby Steps with Rebecca Cheetham
Episode 49, Life Beyond the Numbers, A Sense of Belonging with Jenny Ashmore
Episode 59, Life Beyond the Numbers, Weird & Wonderful with Lisa Milnor
Episode 67, Life Beyond the Numbers, Better Understanding with Matt Phelan

#156 2023 in episodes - Susan Ni Chriodain

In this final episode of 2023, I take a reflective look back at the year, highlighting some guest interviews, insights and personal journeys. The journey from episode 116 to 156 was marked by diverse conversations traversing topics like personal growth, slowing down, challenges the significance of creativity, self-expression and giving people the chance to be themselves in order to create a more productive and happier workplace. And I share some anecdotes about writing my forthcoming book and the valuable insights gained during the process. As we head into 2024 I encourage listeners to embrace life's simplicity and to dare to achieve your potential.
 
Episode Snippets from:
Episode #116 Challenges - Diego Adame
Episode #120 Reconnecting - Sam Allen
Episode #121 Courage - Robbie Swale
Episode #122 What Matters Most? Susan Ni Chriodain
Episode #126 Slowing Down - Professor Giana M. Eckhardt
Episode #127 The Performance Paradox - Kerry Cullen
Episode #134 I Feel Like Me Again - Jo Hunter
Episode #135 The Twin Trails - Achim Arnold
Episode #143 Executive Presence - Sue Rosen
Episode #145 Facilitate People - John Fairhurst
 
Resources Mentioned
64 Million Artists January 2024 Challenge
Inner Development Goals (IDGs)
Leading Beyond the Numbers: How Accounting for Emotions Tips the Balance at Work by Susan Ni Chriodain

#155 Friends - Susan Ni Chriodain

"I felt younger, I felt nostalgic, I felt the preciousness of life and the genuine appreciation of true friends." Susan
 
In this episode, I reflect on the significance of friendships in my life and the joy that they bring. I share experiences with friends from different phases of life, including colleagues from Deloitte, a friend from Pakistan, and school friends. I highlight the importance of friendships during challenging times and expresses my gratitude for my friends - many of whom I met at work. 
 
Resources mentioned
Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words by David Whyte
 
 

#154 Be Curious - Dr Susanne Evans, David Lee and Me

 "If I'm working with somebody and they don't do their agreed upon "homework" and I'm telling myself a story like, Oh, they're not motivated. They're lazy. They don't take it seriously. And instead of  coming from that judgey point of view, asking, so what happened? And it turns out they didn't understand what the assignment was or whatever. Get curious, not furious. Get curious instead of judging." David Lee
 
Dr Susanne Evans, David Lee and I tackle the topic of motivation. We share their own examples, interpreting our motivations for our own personal behaviours and habits. We also explore motivation in a broader workplace context, including during change in an organisational setting. We emphasise the individuality of motivation, the need for leaders to understand team members' unique motivating factors, and the importance of cultivating a curiosity-driven rather than judgment-driven mindset in organisational settings. 
 
Dr Susanne Evans is an organisation change consultant, trainer, coach and researcher on a mission to change the way that transformations are managed in organisations. She founded Feldspar Consulting in 2007 to help her clients lead change in a more human, effective way. As well as writing and speaking about organisation change, Susanne hosts open storytelling workshops, supporting organisations and individuals in writing a compelling story for themselves, and she is the host of the popular ChangeStories podcast.
David Lee is a coach, consultant, workshop facilitator, keynote speaker, and author, who loves creating a win/win/win relationship between people and the organizations they work for. He helps leaders and leadership teams learn how to become "people whisperers", and by doing so, increase their ability to make their organization THE choice for "A List Talent" and inspire the best in their people.
 
Connect with Susanne
On LinkedIn
Through her website: Feldspar Consulting
Listen to Change Stories podcast
 
Connect with David
On LinkedIn 
Through his website Human Nature at Work
 
Resources Mentioned:
The video version on YouTube
Quiet by Susan Cain
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Dark Horse: Achieving Success Through the Pursuit of Fulfillment by Todd Rose & Ogi Ogas
The School of Life
Change Anything by Vital Smarts
Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
Drive by Daniel Pink’s 
Dr. John Launer on ChangeStories Podcast
David Rock SCARF Model

#153 Self-love - Stephan Pfingsten

"When people realise that I don't have enough self-love, I don't think you can teach somebody to have self love or to have a connection to your heart, but you can, become more conscious with the lack of it. And by doing that you start to vest in your own love and then in the love for other beings." Stephan Pfingsten
 
Stephan Pfingsten and I discuss his concern for the imbalance in global consciousness versus technological advancement. He explains how accumulated past traumas unconsciously affect us and suggests that we need to strive for an honest and emotional self-reflection in order to unlock our hidden potential for personal and societal transformation. Stephan shares his journey from working in accounting to being a CEO with a focus on human potential. We explored the symbiotic relationship between nurturing our inner potential and effective leadership, connecting with our heart-space, unlocking emotional intelligence in the business space, and why this is essential for harmonious, sustainable growth in the world.
 
Stephan Pfingsten's special gift is to be able to see a human being in all of her/his potential and in her/ his sufferings and longings. He is dedicated to accompany a person in developing her/his potential to the fullest. After graduating with a MBA he spent 3 years with Coopers & Lybrand (PwC) in San Francisco to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of California, U.S.A. After that he held various senior management positions in multinational enterprises in the software, banking and automotive industries in the US, Italy, and Germany.  Later he received various coaching certificates. 
 
Connect with Stephan
Through his website
On LinkedIn
On Facebook
 
Resources Mentioned
Ken Wilber