In this episode, I caught back up with Mike Bates who recently returned from a 3,000 mile row across the Atlantic Ocean. Mike took on this incredible challenge to raise money for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Leeds General Infirmary. In our conversation, we discuss his dangerous journey across the sea, how to overcome constraints, the power of human connection, global issues facing middle aged men today, and much more. 

If you are thinking about taking on a big quest in your life, this episode is sure to be full of advice to get you started. From the courage it takes to start your quest, to the strength to complete it,  and everything in between - Mike shares his inspiring story that has raised over $225,000 for a cause that saved his son's life a decade ago.

Topics & Questions 

00:00 Podcast Introduction

00:58 What did you wish you knew before embarking on this quest?

03:21 How to view constraints when taking on difficult challenges

06:31 The start of the row

10:43 The risk involved with the row

15:22 Lessons learned on the ocean

16:55 The power of human connection

24:42 The challenge facing middle aged men today

33:46 Sleep deprivation 

38:35 Questions from university students 

42:26 Advice for young professionals

Show Links

Follow bigQUEST on social media: 

Twitter

https://twitter.com/mybigquest

LinkedIn 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bigquest/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mybigquest/

Follow Mike on social media:

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/mikebates_official/?hl=en

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-bates-4b2a32201/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/mikebatesofficial

Website

https://mikebates.uk/

Related Links:

Leeds Hospital Charity - https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/

What does it take to create real change? 

In this episode I chatted with John Gaiters to hear more about his quest to reshape the way business impacts unity and belonging.

John is a  young entrepreneur with big dreams to make an impact in the DE&I space by bringing people together for conversation, learning and action.

It’s an incredible story worth hearing and a testament to the power of purpose and a willingness to venture into the unknown to take on a big problem worth solving. 

Topics and Questions
00:00 Episode Preview
00:58 Guest Introduction
03:07 The inspiration behind John’s quest for unity
04:33 The power of belonging
05:45 Discovering your purpose
07:20 The story of Trendsetters
09:20 The purpose of Unity Brands 
11:30 Persevering through early difficulties
13:52 The birth of the Unity Conference
16:02 The secret to building successful support systems 
18:36 Long term goals of Unity Brands
20:07 How can companies actively strive for unity?
22:08 The importance of HBCUs
23:16 What is your personal inspiration to drive change?
24:57 2023 Unity Conference Details 


Show Links:
Connect with Andy Murray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlmurray/
Connect with John Gaiters: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gaiters-59328378/
The Unity Conference: https://unityconference.info/home/

 There's a question I've been thinking about for some time. How do we create truly new ideas that move us forward?   Fresh ideas that truly move our companies forward? How will we need to think differently to find fresh, new ideas? 

So much of what we call new is really just an extension of the present. The post industrialized work world has been great for incremental improvements and efficiency, but struggles to generate cultures that can voyage beyond the land we already know. 

Few would argue today we need leaders with the ability to bring both left and right brain thinking to the moment or maybe better said a more balanced approach using both intuition and reason.  It is hard to find a recent business book that doesn't advocate for more intuitive thinking at work or challenge us to "think like an artist." 

But how do artists think? 

To answer that question, I set out to reconnect with a brilliant artist who I knew would have a perspective worth hearing, Makoto Fujimura. Mako is not only an amazing artist, he's also an accomplished writer who is just as passionate about the process of art as he is the outcome. 

In this episode, Mako and I talk about intuition, how it works, and how it needs to be harmonized with reason.  We take a look back into history to 500 years ago, to a time when Europe was coming out of the Black Plague and how that applies to what we are going through today. 

We also talk about how artists look at constraints, mastery, and asking questions beyond the question. In the last half of the podcast, I turned the tables and asked Mako how he might use the approach of an artist if he were to take on a C-Suite job in a big company.  And I can tell you now, his answer was brilliant. Mako shares some practical stories from his work on the Board at Bucknell University. Lastly, I asked him to look forward into the future and tell me what gives him hope. Again, his answer will surprise you.