149. Feeding the Force for Good: Purpose-Driven Leadership with Dr John Blakey

Sacred Changemakers

Our guest today is Dr. John Blakey, the UK's leading executive coach for purpose-driven CEOs, the founder of The Trusted Executive, and the author of the visionary book “Force for Good”. John is an authority on purpose-driven leadership; his expertise is sought-after by ambitious leaders aiming to be a force for good and achieve the triple bottom line - profit, people, and planet. He has a unique track record as a pioneering coach, global thought leader, and former FTSE 100 international managing director; he has worked with over 130 CEOs around the globe, including the leaders of gold-medal-winning Team GB Olympic squads, title-winning premiership football clubs and England cricket.

We have more than a few things in common, so this was a delightful dialogue, you’re going to hear about John's inspiring journey from his humble northern UK roots to becoming a leading voice in purpose-driven leadership. We explore how the global pandemic spurred John to think deeply about the role of business in society and its potential to be a force for good in the world.

We discuss the critical link between trust and impactful leadership as John shares some great stories and thought-provoking metaphors. This conversation touches on modern leadership themes such as values alignment, the triple bottom line, and overcoming the tensions and dichotomy between profit and societal contributions. John shares his vision of businesses as engines of innovation and hope, emphasizing the importance of community, collaboration, and going beyond success to also live a significant life.

Whether you're a skeptic of purpose-driven leadership or an advocate, this episode will give you some valuable insights and practical advice for aligning your personal and organizational values with a higher purpose. Stay tuned as we dive deep into how you can become an ambassador of hope and make a meaningful impact in your personal and professional life.

Key Takeaways

• The ultimate choice for all leaders lies in the parable of two wolves
• How crafting a vision beyond profit builds genuine trust
• The role of community in sustaining courage, hope, and leadership
• Becoming an ambassador of hope is critical for leaders and practical skills to help
• The practical steps to go from a life of success to a life of significance

Memorable Quote

“A big part of winning people's trust is for them to understand what you stand for and whether you stand for something bigger than profit.” - Dr John Blakey

Episode Resources:

• Dr John’s Website
• Dr John’s Linkedin Profile
• BOOK: Force For Good: How to Thrive as a Purpose-Driven Leader by Dr John Blakey
• SacredChangemakers.com
• Our Sacred Community
• Jayne’s Website
• Jayne Warrilow on Linkedin

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