From the Desk of Caspar
I looked down at my notes.
My slide clicker was in my hand.
My friend and former colleague was speaking and was sharing how we knew each other and why I was there.
It was almost time for me to take the stage.
It was 15 years ago that I left KPMG. Things felt like they had come full circle.
I was back, this time about to present to a group within KPMG in Boston to about to talk about culture, vision, mission and values.
Back then, quite frankly I didn’t understand what culture, vision, mission and values meant. It was a bunch of mumbo jumbo.
Since then I have been on quite a journey from starting multiple businesses, selling one of them and a personal project - sailing around the world with my family. Over the last 15 years I have learnt the necessity of values, mission, culture as the difference between surviving and thriving.
So it was an odd feeling going back to my corporate world and delivering a talk on this subject. Little did I know that I was about to learn something.
I’d been doing my research and had done a deep dive into the culture and values of KPMG and what they were all about.
What I found truly surprised me but also resonated deeply with me.
The first question in their documents was this:
"What’s your personal purpose. Why are you here? What’s really driving you."
Here’s why it surprised me.
For the last 18 months I’ve been speaking to companies about leadership, teamwork, culture and values.
Although I know how fundamental personal purpose is, I’d been shying away from it.
Why?
Because from my own corporate days I had made the assumption that companies would be reluctant to embrace that message of finding your personal purpose; because of the fear that some people might leave and go live their true purpose.
AND NOW.
Here was KPMG having it as literally their first question.
I could not agree more with the philosophy.
If you know what's driving you and you are clear on what's important to you and your family, it unleashes an astonishing amount of drive and energy.
Align that drive and energy with a powerful and meaningful mission for your company and you will be flying. Both personally and in business.
Ask yourself this question:
What’s truly important to you in life. Write it down and get clear on your purpose and drivers. So many of us fail to do this and go through life reacting rather than taking control.
Huge hat tip to KPMG for bringing this into focus for me.
PS It’s massively more powerful to do this with your partner - see the details below of the Thrive Manifesto.
Where's the fun?
I was in Dublin last weekend for a conference.
Whilst there I went to the Guinness Storehouse.
I loved learning the history of this iconic brand that challenged the rules and in particular to see it’s history of playful and entertaining marketing.
It’s a great reminder to be fun, playful and not take life too seriously.
How you can impact others?
I attended my first board meeting for a while last week.
It had to be a good reason to get me back into a boardroom.
And it was.
I’m both honoured and excited (also with a little trepidation) to have been invited to join the Development Board of this incredible charity, which changes the lives of young people, typically from disadvantaged backgrounds by taking them on expeditions to remote places.
Their values of courage, challenge, self belief and community resonate deeply with my values.
I’ll be sharing a few things over the coming months - stories of the incredible impact they have to change lives and exciting ways for adventurous minded people to get involved.
The board meeting was good, by the way. Some brilliant people all united by a common cause.
Can’t wait to help send more young people off to make a positive impact on the world.
Be a Better Leader
Are you (and your team) learning and growing?
Today’s quick leadership tip of the week from Harvard University.
Thought for the Day
"Nothing ever happens without a deadline."
Upcoming Events
June 30th - Guest Speaker, Plymouth
July 9-10th - 2 Day Thrive Workshop, Surrey
July 12-13th - Keynote Speaker, Malta
July 14-17th - NSA Convention, Dallas
August - The next sailing adventure…
August 2 - TV Filming, LA
August 10 - Keynote Speaker, San Diego
September 10-11th - 2 Day Thrive Workshop, Surrey
The Thrive Manifesto
Would you like to have a thriving business/ career without feeling like you are sacrificing your marriage or relationships.
Download our Thrive Manifesto - the 21 principles, a checklist that worked for us.
Click this link and you will be sent them via Facebook Messenger:
“Caspar’s new book “Where the Magic Happens” is a masterpiece.
It’s an incredible personal development and business book all told through the lens of a gripping real life transformation and adventure story.
This book needs to be made into a film.”
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