Behind every complaint lies a hidden commitment. Through carving a cantankerous magpie, I reflect on how leaders often silence their own frustrations (mistaking commitment for complaint) and what it means to listen to ourselves with the same compassion we offer others.

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.

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.

When a charred piece of firewood caught my attention, I sensed it held something more than fuel for the flames. What emerged became (The Fiery Weight of the Crown of Responsibility) a reflection on leadership, transformation, and the courage to carry light without being consumed by it.

What does it take to speak truthfully when the stakes are high?

In this reflection, I share what I’ve been learning from coaching leaders around the world… about the cost of staying silent, the courage it takes to name what’s true, and the moments that remind us to live vividly.

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.

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.

Being a dad isn’t about ownership… it’s about stewardship. Inspired by Kahlil Gibran’s timeless words, I reflect this Father’s Day on what it means to let our children step forward into lives that are truly their own.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

While carving a fallen tree trunk, I found myself face-to-face with Daedalus: the myth, the man, the father.
In wood and memory, I explored the tension between giving our children wings and knowing we can’t control their flight. This is a story of legacy, love, and the quiet anguish of letting go.

Amidst the pace and pressure of public service leadership, I’ve found mindfulness to be less a retreat from the work—and more a way to meet it well. This reflection explores how the quiet tools I first learned on mindfulness teacher training retreat have become a steady thread through the leadership programs I design and facilitate.

A simple piece of firewood led me to a deeper question about purpose. In craft, as in life, the invitation is always the same: how can I be of use?

In my work in leadership development, I explore a wide range of topics—each a thread that can weave into a stronger, more connected life and workplace. Resources like Echoes from the Edge offer thoughtful provocations—ideas that stretch us, ground us, and guide us toward growth.

Luck, I believe, does not come like ‘Grace’ - unbidden and without effort on your part, it comes through your ability to get out of your own way. It requires patience and it requires some willingness to accept, even those difficulties that arise in your path.
When we engage with difficulty, we also engage more deeply with our own resourcefulness. We start to see potential where others see waste.