James Samana James Samana

The real risk in capability work

Most organisations assume that reaching more people creates more impact. The evidence says otherwise. Real capability grows through trust, reflection, discomfort and practice, not mass exposure. This piece explores why depth outpaces scale and how leaders can design learning that genuinely shifts behaviour.

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James Samana James Samana

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving isn’t just a story about the past… it’s a living practice of welcome. This reflection weaves art, ancestry, and a hand-carved wooden bowl into a reminder that our greatest inheritance is the choice to share what we have. It’s an invitation to honour the generosity that once shaped America by offering it forward, one small act of welcome at a time.

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James Samana James Samana

Reaching across difference

True leadership and connection begin with listening. Reaching Across Difference reflects on how courage, humility, and daily acts of service help us dissolve fear, build trust, and foster community.

Drawing inspiration from lived experience, a variety of traditions, and servant leaders like Zohran Mamdani, it invites readers to practice empathy and bridge divides.

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Weaving connection

Effective policy and leadership depend on genuine connection… not just consultation.

Spending a day with the Corroboree Group reminded me that listening to community isn’t a courtesy; it’s the foundation of systems that work. When we slow down to learn from Indigenous colleagues and communities, we rediscover that trust is the hidden infrastructure of good governance.

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Remembering wholeness

When a man forgets who he is, he often mistakes exhaustion for weakness. But it’s not weakness… it’s disconnection.

Years ago, I spent a week paddling a canoe with poet Robert Bly. One night, he recited Rilke’s lines about a man who leaves his table and keeps walking east - searching for something sacred he can not name.

I’ve come to believe men’s mental health is like that. A Journey of Remembering… a Return to something ancient, noble, and deeply human.

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Understanding Assertiveness

Drawing from Robert Bly, Steve Biddulph, and lessons learned through Aikido, this reflection explores the paradox of assertive peace — how true strength blends courage with compassion, and how leaders can learn to stand firm without hardening… how they can maintain an assertive position without being arrogantly aggressive.

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James Samana James Samana

human destructiveness

From Orwell to Rush, from Pink Floyd’s wall to the glass towers of today, our dystopias have always warned us about control, conformity, and the quiet surrender of the self. But what if the path that leads away from disaster isn’t out there (in politics or systems) but within us? Through awareness, reflection, and the daily practice of insight, we can begin to dismantle the walls we’ve built inside ourselves.

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+ Men's Health, Fatherhood, + Self Agency James Samana + Men's Health, Fatherhood, + Self Agency James Samana

Health, presence, and the legacy you leave

Fatherhood isn’t just about showing up, it’s about shaping who we want to be, day by day. In this post, I draw on my perspective as both a professional coach and a dad to explore how health, presence, and legacy intersect. Through personal stories, reflections, and practical insights, I offer inspiration and tools for fathers who want to step into their own sense of agency… to build the identity they want to embody, and to find the grit needed to take charge of their health, their relationships, and the moments that matter most.

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Shaping the father we become

This Father’s Day reflection blends myth, sculpture, and the realities of fatherhood. Carving Daedalus became a meditation on love, fear, and growth — reminding us that the strength we build in ourselves becomes the greatest gift we can offer our children. A message of compassion and hope for every parent on the path.

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James Samana James Samana

Fatherhood is a long walk… without a map

Fatherhood doesn’t come with a map. It’s a long walk full of unknowns, where presence matters more than certainty. Along the way, our children don’t need us to have all the answers… they need us to keep walking beside them, steady and loving, no matter what.

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James Samana James Samana

Five reflections on Fatherhood

This week, around Father’s Day, I reflect on what it means to be a Dad… not as a title, but as a daily practice of presence, listening, and growth. Join me in exploring reflections that invite questions, awareness, and intentional action in fatherhood.

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James Samana James Samana

The practice of presence:

Doubt, disillusionment, and the pressure to perform can make writing (and leading) feel impossible. This post explores how showing up authentically, stepping into your own voice, and embracing disciplined vulnerability can help you create influence, leave a trail, and lead with impact.

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James Samana James Samana

Walking on The floor of mistakes

In an age where leaders burn books and bury truths, we’re tempted to hide our own histories too. Yet denying mistakes (personal or collective) only deepens the shadow. This piece explores how mistakes, faced and learned from, become the very ground of wisdom, courage, and growth.

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James Samana James Samana

Legacy and the Insightful Path:

An old fishing tackle box transformed into a cherished craftsman’s chest, holding more than just tools… it holds stories, intention, and legacy. Through repurposing and care, this simple box becomes a bridge across generations, reminding us that purpose lives in the quiet rituals we pass on. Discover how craftsmanship and mindful living shape not only objects but the people and communities we become.

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James Samana James Samana

Why strong facilitation communities matter:

Facilitation is more than guiding meetings… it’s about building vibrant communities that connect, inspire, and create lasting impact. Join me as I explore why strong facilitation networks matter, how global and local communities nurture this vital profession, and why the upcoming IAF Conference is a can’t-miss opportunity for facilitators ready to grow and connect.

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James Samana James Samana

Resistance to change…

Why do people cling to harmful beliefs, even when the facts are clear? It’s not ignorance. It’s emotional survival. Here’s how we can help them (and ourselves) see.

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