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Thanking those who have trusted me to support them on their journey

by | Dec 23, 2022 | Open Leadership

As we approach the end of 2022, one theme that is coming back to me is the power of seeking to support people over the years and that the impact of this can be long-lasting once people take on board learnings and make them their own. There are few things more gratifying than to be told you have made a difference, and when that is a message given years afterwards, it is even more impactful.

My thanks go out to everyone, everywhere, that have trusted me to help and support them on their journey.

Two thoughts spurred by such memories to share today:

Swimming – It takes a village

First, to swimming, where last week Cayman’s Jordan Crooks, aged only 20, won the first World Championship by a Caymanian in any sport and is now, literally, the fastest swimmer in the world.

My piece on this: “It takes a village to make the fastest swimmer in the world” was written the day he won that race as so many memories of the building blocks for that success flew back to me and I had to capture those thoughts.

Business and the power of coaching for leaders and their businesses

In business, I was recently reminded of the work I and the Shirlaws Cayman team did nearly a decade ago, sowing seeds that have been bearing fruit for individuals and businesses in Cayman (and beyond, we worked in many countries) ever since, including playing a part in growing recognition of the value of investing in coaching and leadership development in Cayman, as evidenced by a growing number of businesses and bodies offering this there.

In 2010 I left a role I loved to follow a passion to “help businesses” more broadly in Cayman and beyond. By 2011 I formed the first Business Coaching firm in the region, in 2012 we partnered with the Chamber of Commerce on “Business Coaching Cayman” and by 2013 we ran our first year-long intensive “LGP” or Leadership Growth Programme. All in all, within a few short years our footprint of those we had worked with had grown fast.

Early in 2014, then, my brilliant Shirlaws colleague, Danielle Young, had the idea to create a series of videos to capture the experiences of those we had worked with. The essence of all of this was captured in a five-minute video, linked below. If you are from Cayman and in business there, you will know several if not all of these business leaders. My reflection today goes to the impact they have had on their organisation, business, and community since this was recorded nearly nine years ago.

Once again, thank you for trusting me (and the team at Shirlaws Cayman) with helping and supporting you on your journey.