“A fallen lighthouse is more dangerous than a reef.”
Navjot Singh Sidhu
“Why the light house?”
“Is there any significance to the light house?”
“Hey, nice logo. What’s it mean?”
These are the questions I often get when I hand over a business card or refer people to my website and they see my logo for the first time. When I explain to them the rationale behind the design they all get where I am coming from and some suggest I should write about it.
As some of you will be aware I had a fantastic career as an officer and leader in the Royal Australian Navy. My connection with the sea is something I will forever be proud of. People often ask me if I miss being at sea. This is an interesting question for me because, I do miss some aspects like the people I lead, the motion of the ship and the ability to look around and not see any land. Additionally, I do love what I do now and I know I left the Navy for the right reasons. I also think it’s important not to look back unless you are informing yourself about how to act in the future.
“Allow your past to inform your future. Not define it.”
Anthony Campbell
When I first started my executive coaching career after I left the Navy I used a ship logo that I designed myself.
At the time I thought this well defined what I was about and where I had come from. A ship moving through the ocean signified getting to a goal. The sea is a complex and unpredictable place, much like the environment in which my clients operate as well.
Soon after my business began to grow and I started taking on more clients. My skill set and understanding of what I did also developed and I realised that my role as a teacher, coach and mentor to my clients was more of guiding role than a driving one.
In my role I understand that you are the experts in your lives. My role is simply to ask you questions, challenge your assumptions and provide feedback. In doing this you raise awareness of yourselves, others and your interactions with them, and the environment in which you operate. Once you have that awareness, you have the confidence to navigate the seas ahead.
So, if you think you could use some guidance, some increased awareness or some assistance navigating the increased complexity of your work or personal lives, please, get in contact and we can discuss what you need.
