"Living a fully expressed life matters."
Welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview with Fiona English, a keynote speaker, coach, writer, and thought leader who combines extensive experience in global investment markets with expertise and thought leadership in human potential, purpose, leadership, and self-expression.
After almost 20 years working in global investment management, she resigned in 2017 to have a greater impact in the world. Today, she draws on her multi-disciplinary background and a deep love for narrative and story to speak and write on topics such as meaning, purpose, leadership, self-actualization, authenticity, self-expression, and spirituality.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Fiona English: I am a keynote speaker, coach, writer and thought leader combining extensive experience in global investment markets with expertise and thought leadership in human potential, purpose, leadership and self-expression. After almost 20 years working in global investment management, I resigned in 2017. As I watched the mounting problems globally, I was certain I was supposed to have a greater impact in the world.
During that period of soul-searching, I returned to university to study the psychology of human potential and conducted an academic study into spirituality, meaning, purpose and authenticity.
Today when I speak and write, I draw on my multi-disciplinary background and a deep love for narrative and story. I speak on topics as diverse as meaning, purpose, leadership, self-actualisation, authenticity, self-expression and spirituality; what they share is the exploration of who we are & how we want to show up in the world.
Alongside my speaking practice and writing a Substack publication called Expression with Fiona English, I coach and advise purpose-led entrepreneurs, business leaders and individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of who they are so they can live, work and lead with greater impact and authenticity.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, services, or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Fiona English: It’s an interesting question as I am not sure what Warren Buffett would think of my approach to business although I would welcome the opportunity to chat to him about it! I definitely differ from more traditional business models in my willingness to prioritise integrity of purpose as a primary decision-making tool in everything I do.
That said, organisational purpose cannot exist without a profitable business model so I understand clearly that enabling the business to generate and grow profits is a key component in amplifying my personal impact in the world. My business lines fall into 3 areas: keynote speaking, writing and coaching.
All of my work; speaking, writing, and coaching is focused on empowering people to amplify their impact in the world through their life and/or work. I speak on topics as diverse as purpose, leadership, self-actualisation, authenticity, self-expression & spirituality; what they share is the exploration of who we are & how we want to show up in the world.
Keynote speaking and writing allow me to reach bigger audiences while I keep some time for 1-1 coaching as it helps me grow personally and keeps me connected to the challenges purpose-led business leaders face in reality. The diversity of the work I do ensures I continually challenge myself and my ideas which strengthens all the offerings of the business.
What advice do you wish you received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Fiona English: Give yourself time. Patience has never been a strong point of mine but setting up a business has definitely forced me to address that! Starting an endeavor that is meaningful takes time. You need time to get clear on your products or services, your market and how you communicate all of that.
This is even more true if you run a purpose-led business. Longevity is the very nature of purpose. Purpose is always about the long term, your legacy, answering a call to make change, overarching life or business goals. Purpose-led business, projects and pursuits take more effort and, thus, take longer. You can’t take short cuts in your pursuit to be ‘on purpose’.
This emphasis on the long term necessitates a focus on self-management; how you will action your vision while protecting and conserving your energy. Burnt out people, business owners and leaders diminish their impact. Unrealistic deadlines do not sit in purpose-led business models or lives. In short, be realistic. You are in this for the long-haul so no need to sprint. Article Sponsored Find something for everyone in our collection of colourful, https://www.fakewatch.is/product-category/tag-heuer/ bright and stylish socks. Buy individually or in bundles to add color to your drawer!
A big focus for me this year increasing my reach. My new publication will help me to create greater connection with my audience. For the same reason, I am also looking forward to more in-person speaking this year.
Here is a two fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Fiona English: The answer to both questions is actually the same! The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. It is a book focused on helping us jump to the next level of life. It encourages readers to identify with 4 internal barriers the author believes we all experience.
And how we can overcome these ‘limits’ to become the person we aspire to be and live the life we secretly desire. It is a very accessible book and really helped me to identify fears that were holding me back from going after the life and business model I wanted. Highly recommend!
Christopher Hitchens, an American journalist, is quoted as saying that “everyone has a book in them” Have you written a book? If so, please share with us details about it. If you haven’t, what book would you like to write and how would you like it to benefit the readers?
Fiona English: I am currently in the process of writing my first book. Similar in theme to my Substack newsletter called Expression, the book will focus on what it means to cultivate and express your whole self.
For me, the real purpose of personal development or spiritual growth is not simply to enhance your life but to enable you to impact yourself, others and our world in a more meaningful way. The key to living and working ‘on purpose’ is to fully express all of who you are and can be. Your life, work or business simply provide the vehicles through which you express your whole self.
Living a fully expressed life matters. There is a space in the universal jigsaw that your fully expressed form fits. Things you are here to contribute. It is the call of our time; to evoke your inner leader and become who you are destined to be in service of a better world.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?.
Fiona English: I would say it can be lonely. I have experienced it myself and I hear it from business leaders I work with. The book always stops with you and there are always a million things pulling you in different directions. You have to find what Julia Cameron refers to as ‘believing mirrors’.
People who are your cheerleaders and will be there for you to listen and support during the tough days and moments. These can be coaches, mentors or peers in the same field or stage of business. The better your support system, the greater your chance of going the distance in business.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Fiona English: I guess unlimited cashflow is not the answer you want?! Joking aside, I would try and grow my ability to turn down unnecessary market noise and chatter. I always try to keep my eye on my long-term vision, about what I want the legacy of my work to be.
But it can sometimes be in conflict with shorter term concerns that can come with running a business. I would love to only be focused on vision of the business and how that should influence my work.
Realistically what this tells me is I need an operations director and that is something I have been thinking about. Depending how 2023 goes, it may form part of my 2024 business plan.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Fiona English for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Fiona English or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
