Hello

"...wise, kind and clever advice I rely on."

Those are the unedited words of a client and they took me by surprise. 

My clients are typically very senior executives and they are not usually effusive in their praise. They expect excellent work and don't lavish you with compliments for doing the job as required. I'm very comfortable with that.

So to see those words written by a client I respect enormously in an email referring someone to me...well, those words mean a great deal.

What might those words mean to you?

Wise comes from decades of experience and there really is no substitute for that. Since 2011, I've focused on personal brand for executives and advisors, and that depth of experience resonates in my advice. Brand is a long game; don't believe anything to the contrary.

Kind comes from having the arrogant, obnoxious superiority of my youth ruthlessly pummelled out of me by life. Things that were once easy for me are now hard, often very extremely terribly hard. The upside is that I bring empathy and understanding to my recommendations for you. Career is important but kindness (to self and others) matters more.

Clever comes from creativity, curiosity and imagination; a mind always thinking in stories and how to tell them for the greatest impact. And yes, from book learning, and also well read parents and a storehouse of general knowledge built on the unearned gift of a good memory. The more crowded your arena, the more clever we need to be.

Those things – wisdom, kindness, cleverness – are what I can offer you in support of your career goals. 

There are other things I am not – not a qualified counsellor or certified coach, not a recruiter, not a former corporate executive – and if you want those things, let me respectfully suggest you look for another brand advisor. I'd be very glad to recommend one of my colleagues.

What I am is enough – more than enough – to help you win the work you want.