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.
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.
Our children are not our children
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wrestling with Daedalus
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.
Finding stillness in the storm
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.
Working with purpose
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?
Insights found in Echoes from the Edge
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.
The beauty of what remains
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.
The work of renewal
There's something powerful about seeing not what a thing is, but what it could become. It’s what artists do—and it’s what we do when we lead. When we coach. When we grow. We look beyond the surface. We sense the potential. We bring shape to the unseen.
Authenticity, Influence, and the Art of Connection
I write to influence, but true influence comes from authenticity. As a transformative coach, I help leaders uncover insights that let them stay true to themselves while navigating complexity and change. If you’re on the path to deeper self-awareness and want to explore how coaching can help you find your authentic voice, reach out. Let’s talk.
Part 1: Seeing through the surface
Our experience of stress is shaped less by the challenges we face and more by how we respond to them. The more aware we become of our automatic reactions, the more we can interrupt them, creating space for better, calmer choices. This clarity is the foundation for making more effective decisions.
Part 2: The grip of Attachment
Attachment keeps us from connecting with what’s real in the moment. Instead of sensing and accepting things as they are, we’re constantly searching for something better, something more. The practice of observing attachment allows you to create space between stimulus and response.
Part 3: The trap of Resentment
How often do we see the full humanity of those around us—or even ourselves? In the rush of life, anger and assumptions cloud our perception, pulling us away from the present moment. By asking “Who else is this person?” we open the door to surprising insights, deeper connection, and a clearer path forward.