Life Beyond The Numbers

#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 
 
 

#152 Asking for Help - Migena Gjerazi

"Asking for help, I mean, I had no clue that that was the way out. It didn't even cross my mind at all. It's so crazy that asking for help was the way out." Migena Gjerazi
 
Migena Gjerazi and I delve into personal visions, change, surrender, taking responsibility for our choices and asking for help. Migena shares the importance of aligning with values that bring joy and excitement, even when the vision is unclear and encourages trust in the first step and openness to the unfolding path. She shares insights on imposter syndrome and suggests practical tools to combat self-doubt, including self-compassion, acceptance, and positive feedback. She recounts a powerful anecdote about asking for help and how this simple act can offer others an opportunity to contribute to our growth, creating a network of support and collaboration.
 
Migena Gjerazi MBA, CPCC, PCC had a stellar career with over 20 years in HR and Finance and is now an award-winning coach and facilitator in Copenhagen, a TEDX-er and an award-winning entrepreneur in her native diaspora (Albania). Migena has led countless coaching & leadership programs for UN agencies, engineering institutes, Amazon, Mars and many more, and many hours spent in the coaching chair. Her magic is supporting her clients to shine, inspire, and create empowering change. She is the queen of facilitation and the slayer of imposter syndrome. Migena is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Certified Leadership Coach trained by the Co-Active Training Institute; Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by International Coach Federation, Organizational Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC) and LCP certified.
 
Connect with Migena
Through her website 
On LinkedIn
 
Resources Mentioned:
Episode 120, Reconnecting with Sam Allen 
Influence is your Superpower by Zoe Chance
Untaming Femininity Podcast

#151 Setting Intentions

"There is something about setting intentions and having it written down or saying it out into the world that makes a difference, especially if it's something you want to do."
 
In November 2022 I spoke about my intention to write a book in episode 110, Four Week Streaks. I reflect on the year that followed with a focus on the power of setting intentions, building habits and consistency and the fact that life can change in an instant.
 
Resources Mentioned
Episode 110 Four Week Streaks
Episode 122 What Matters Most
Episode 138 About Time
Episode 87 Susan Speaks

#150 Celebrations - Susan Ni Chriodain

I'm celebrating!
Submitting Leading Beyond the Numbers: How Accounting for Emotions Tips the Balance at Work to the publisher.
and
A milestone birthday.
 
Connect with me:
On LinkedIn
Through my website 

#149 A Fair Person - James Perry

"If you can demonstrate to someone that you have their back and you're fair, you're a fair person. I think that's all you need to ask for, isn't it?" James Perry
 
James Perry talks about his experiences with different bosses, emphasising the significance of fairness and support in the workplace. We talk about the importance of creating a relatable and empathetic work environment to engage employees and retain staff. James also reflects on his journey of self-awareness and the impact it had on his career. We touch on topics such as defining success, finding balance, looking honestly at ourselves, building rapport and the power of human connection. 
 
James Perry holds a Certificate in Executive Coaching from Cambridge University. He runs a unique business coaching Accounting Students on mindset, motivation, study & exam techniques. He is one of Northern Ireland’s Top 40 Under 40 and a TEDx Speaker. He is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, an Associate Lecturer at the University of Ulster, a former Associate Director in a global Accounting firm and Financial Controller of a multi-million pound group.
 
Connect with James
On LinkedIn
On YouTube
 
Resources Mentioned
TEDx: Does Passion Need a Purpose?
"The Possibility Exists" by Eoin Scolard
"The Highly Sensitive Man" by Tom Falkenstein
 
 

#148 Conversations - David Lee & Me (Republished**)

**Please note that the episode that went out on Oct 14th was a repeat of episode 102. This was my mistake - apologies. This is now the correct version of episode 148
 
"Difficult conversations by definition are difficult, but the relationship, just like in anything in life between skill level and how much courage it takes, the more skill, the less courage you have to summons." David Lee
 
In this episode David Lee is asking the questions - well it is more of a riff about constructive conversations, creative, courageous conversations, psychological safety, etc. We both share stories and insights on addressing difficult topics, separating the behaviour from the person, creating cues of safety and a psychologically safe environment for open and honest communication. We also explore strategies for emotional self-regulation, the significance of silence and the impact of body language and non-verbal cues. 
 
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 David
On LinkedIn 
Through his website Human Nature at Work
 
Resources Mentioned
David Whyte
Don't Bite the Hook: Finding Freedom from Anger, Resentment, and Other Destructive Emotions by Pema Chodron
Polyvagal theory and Dr Stephen Porges
Fierce Intimacy by Terry Real
Margaret Heffernan 
Lisa Feldman Barrett
Approaching Difficult Conversations, the Polyvagal Way | Psychology Today by David Lee
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain
Permission to Feel by Professor Mark Brackett and the "How We Feel" App

#147 This is my Camino

In 2018 I walked from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela, or The Camino. I reached Santiago on Sept 30th and on the 5th anniversary of that milestone I've put together an episode to share some of the stories, thoughts, lessons learned and emotions from that four week journey:
Week 1: Survival
Week 2: Struggle
Week 3: Stride
Week 4: Satisfaction
 

#146 Highlights from the first 21

A selection of insights from guests who featured in earlier episodes including  
Episode 1 with Sue Rosen
Episode 4-5 with Gary Cox
Episode 6 with Helen Joy
Episode 9 with Jerry Harris
Episode 13 with Mags de Valois
Episode 14 with John Hayns
Episode 15 with Marcus Thompson
Episode 17 with Kim Bowden
Episode 20 with Aoife O'Brien
Episode 21 with Mark Samowitz

#145 Facilitate People - John Fairhurst

"Leadership [....] it's a lot about trying to create environments where people could thrive and facilitate people being successful and therefore the team, the agenda and the organisation being successful." John Fairhurst
 
John Fairhurst and I discuss his leadership style and philosophy. He emphasises the importance of facilitating and enabling people to be successful. He reflects on the changing nature of the private sector and development sector. And we talk about the crucial need for voices from different sectors, including the private sector, in advocating for change and addressing global challenges. We touch on the importance of not being solely reliant on key individuals in driving change. And we discuss the importance of well-being in the workplace and the need for a broader assessment of what it means to have a thriving workforce.
 
John Fairhurst is the head of Private Sector Engagement at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. John has worked in both the private and not-for-profit sectors. Prior to joining the Global Fund John was Executive Director at UBS Optimus Foundation and COO at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). He was involved in the establishment and management of the portfolio of programmes of one of the largest international development private foundations, the Children's Investment Fund (CIFF). He oversaw development and humanitarian programs for Oxfam in various geographies including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, and Afghanistan.
 
Connect with John
On LinkedIn
 
Resources Mentioned
The Global Fund
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation