5 leadership tips from world class speakers

1 – ‘Leadership is about closing the gap’
Michael Finnigan, ​​elite golf and football performance coach

Here we take you back to the inaugural Cheshire Business School mindful monday keynote by none other than Michael Finnigan.
Michael has worked with some of the best athletes in the world – he still does. He is no stranger to high performance environments.
During the session Michael powered through a variety of intriguing leadership thoughts with vigour.
“People don’t perform to the limit of their potential,” he told our members and guests, “they perform to the limit of what they believe in. There’s a gap and leadership is about closing the gap between where they are now and what their potential is.”

2 – A behaviour, not a job title
Paul McGee, aka The SUMO Guy

Mancunian Sunday Times bestselling author Paul McGee shared several views on what leading means to him.
One of his attention catching comments – more a SUMO Guy definition really – offered up some serious food for thought.
“I don’t believe there are leaders and then the rest of us,” said Paul. “To some degree we’re all leaders. The primary responsibility we have as a leader is leading ourselves. Some people can say ‘I’ve not got that job, that title’. My take on that is that leadership is a behaviour not a job title.”
Prior to Paul’s mindful monday keynote he raised some important points on the subtleties of leadership.
While alluding to his talk as being ‘designed to give leaders headspace for a short period while not overwhelming them with facts and statistics’, Paul told us: “I describe people in leadership positions as thermostats. Whether they like it or not, when a leader walks into work they set the temperature for everyone they are working with, with their energy and attitude.”
An excellent addition to the checklist Paul. We all affect each other, even when we do something as simple as walk into the office.

3 – Less is more and remember how amazing you are
Dr Andy Cope, Dr of Happiness

No other organisation had dared to book Dr Andy Cope’s talk on Quantum Thinking.
But it didn’t stop Cheshire Business School from inviting our friend – aka the Dr of Happiness – in.
With a firm belief that leaders – in fact anyone – need less on their mind, not more, Andy delivered a keynote on rethinking how we think.
“Once you’ve got less on your mind there are more ideas for creativity and more space for solutions – instead of being weighed down.”
Andy touched on the average smartphone use by an individual being 44 days a year and questioned how people can feel amazing in a world that is not conducive to us feeling amazing.
“With the relentless nature of today’s world people can forget how amazing they are,” Andy told Cheshire Business School.
“Quantum thinking is rethinking how you think, tuning yourself back into being your best on a more regular basis.”
After the keynote Andy said: “I love that Cheshire Business School allows me to wander in new directions. In fact, they encourage me!
“Fact; before this workshop I asked ‘do you want something tried and tested or do you want me to take a risk?’ The risk was actively encouraged, hence the delegates got something fresh, edgy and a little different.”
Andy – thank you. A non-traditional keynote at a non-traditional business school.

4 – Transformation is there for the taking
Ivor Cummins, aka The Fat Emperor

World renowned speaker Ivor Cummins centred his January 2023 keynote on cholesterol, blood insulin and lower carbohydrate diets.
Perfect timing after the festive break!
The co-author of Eat Rich Live Long broke down his three major myths in health and longevity.
He spoke rigorously about why personal transformation is ‘within every person’s grasp’. And why following the correct science in your diet will lead to enhanced productivity.
“It will utterly transform your physiology, your life expectancy and also your mental acuity and whole mental outlook,” was one of Ivor’s many inspirational and thought provoking nuggets.

5 – Plug into Shakespeare’s comedy to help change company culture
Adam Fotheringham, Olivier Mythodrama
Last but not least is Adam Fotheringham’s keynote on motivating people through difficult times.
His short, sharp and insightful answer: Plug into Shakespeare’s 1599 comedy play ‘As You Like It’.
Perhaps the most unusual keynote in Cheshire Business School’s roster – perhaps not…
Olivier Mythodrama’s Adam took our members and guests back in time.
And they soon discovered why Shakespeare remains relevant to the modern world we live in.
Leadership lessons?
As Adam explained to us: “The answer to that lies in the events in the story, which starts in a court that has become very stuck. The Duke has taken the power from his brother and he’s become a very tyrannical and paranoid kind of figure.
“The people who are living in this context are very frightened, guarded and unhappy. It results in all the main characters being exiled or running away into the forest. They find themselves in a completely different context where there is no social hierarchy. It’s a much flatter structure and they’re having to hunt for food and face the elements with no amenities.”
“This is all about learning new things, new ways of being and developing new skills,” Adam told us.
“There can always be new ways of interacting with each other. And that’s really where all the lessons are. There is the possibility that they will take all of the new learnings back to the court and transform it into something much more functional.”
Thank you Adam.
This really was a story of transition – similar to how we as people had to adjust and adapt to the unexpected nature of the pandemic just a matter of months ago.
Rachel Kay, the founder of Cheshire Business School, is available for interview and is an expert commentator on leadership.

Cheshire Business School is excited to bring you and your company world class training and access to the very best speakers.

For senior leaders we know time is precious and that impactful training with real results is what leaders are craving.

We offer business memberships and transformational training, mentoring and coaching symposiums.

All of our face-to-face programmes will be delivered at De Vere Cranage Estate, Byley, Cheshire.
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