Faith - Stefan’s Week-Notes 10/01/2025
Inspired by the weeknotes of friends and coachees including John Fitzgerald, Steve Messer and Nour Sidawi - I thought I'd give it a go.
Inspired by the weeknotes of friends and coachees including John Fitzgerald, Steve Messer and Nour Sidawi - I thought I'd give it a go.
Here's a dive in to the happenings of the past week. I start with what I’ve been up to, to frame the week and then the successes.
Why? Because it's easy to look into the dark rather than the light; isn't it?
Hope you enjoy it; comments, observations and thoughts welcome.
What have I been up to?
(Question inspired by @James_ Arthur_Cattell week notes).
It's been a gentle wek.
Mentoring
This week I held a number of mentoring session for my friend and founder @angela_mclelland on our digital boost programme; on behalf of Liverpool city region.
Meeting
A fabulous meeting with Liam O’Keefe - logistics legend, organiser and architect of the Solstice Sprint Series; which includes the1000km bike race I rode in June last year. He’s a good person wanting to, and already, leading great things and it was lovely to chat shared goals and to discuss a ‘fun’ ride around our beautiful Isle of Wight.
The hug pictured here, is one of my favourite images ever - Liam hugging me at the end of the ride. It was emotional.
Coaching
Comms and Strategy Director - chatting leadership, juggling time and influence.
Endurance Coach and Elite Athlete - exploring his ‘life’s work’, work and family balance and utilising the amazing opportunities coming their way.
Design Director - addressing ‘imposter syndrome’, leaning into influence and ‘office politics’.
Digital leader - leading from and through your values and increasing visibility of your impact.
Leader in the charity sector (see what went well section) - exploring leading an established team and former colleagues, subject matter experts and ones former boss.
Leader and Entrepreneur in the Beauty and Healthcare Sector - leading regulatory frameworks and raising qualification and practice standards.
Rest - This week I did:
A number of walks around the local village, around 4KM each night - they are really clearing my head before bed.
Play - This week:
I’ve picked up the guitar again this week; written the start of another new song; delighted.
I’m still listening to the new album from Linking Park on Vinyl as well as revisiting my Jeff Buckley and Rage Against the Machine collections.
Sustenance
Friends - This Week:
My mates Jason and Darren - were unavailable for a brew up (Jason skiing) and Darren busy, but I did get to ride out with the Adrians Bike Shop Crew for a 2 hour ride as part of my 3 hour planned ride on Wednesday.
Exercise - This week:
Yoga and plenty of neck stretches
Walking (as above).
2 x 3 hour bike including riding a 2hr 54 min 100KM on an indoor bike - boring as hell but setting the sights well and truly on a planned ‘record’ attempt later in the year. Don’t worry - it’s a PB I’m chasing.
First upper body workout in months too as my neck and back pain is relenting.
Family - This week:
Some wonderful catchups with my Dad, Brother and sister this week; after a Christmas spent re-connecting as a family.
A weekend planned with Will and Vera; Sunday is my birthday - looking forward to some Birthday cards and hugs.
This Weeks Writing
This week I enjoyed writing a piece on SUSTENANCE, the 4th of my ‘Life Pillars’, alongside WORK, REST and PLAY. Entitled "Sustenance: Giving Yourself Space For The Things You Love" 🎉
At the suggestion of the fabulous Gurpreet Sehmi and to cater to different preferences, I am now creating two versions of the ‘pillars’ pieces I write:
1️⃣ The Executive Summary - A concise summary for those who prefer a quick overview.
2️⃣ The Essay - A full essay version that dives deeper into the nuances of the topic each week.
This week I also write a piece on
Opinion Post: Why aren’t good people rising to the top?
A video post, by me, on how to OVERCOME DISAPPOINTMENT - Here
HOW TO CHOOSE A COACH - I also wrote apiece on how to choose a coach here:
NEWSLETTER - read back issues and consider signing Up for my BE THE WAVES newsletter here:
Testimonial
This week, I was delighted to share my first-ever video testimonial, from Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum. It’s been a true privilege to work alongside Diane, leading this outstanding not-for-profit.
The Business Disability Forum supports businesses in recruiting and retaining disabled employees and ensuring they serve disabled customers. With over 550 members, including FTSE 100 companies and government departments, their impact is huge.
Diane’s leadership is inspiring, and I’m grateful for the chance to support the fantastic work she’s doing. Take a moment to hear her thoughts in the video and her openness on being supported through coaching. Thank you Diane - this means a great deal
What's been good about this week?
It’s a good question.
This week has been very gentle on the work front; but I’ve held some fabulous sessions including some on WhatsApp; yes I offer that too now.
The one which stands out, not that the others don’t, is the first session I held with a female leader at the operational end of an end of life charity. Her work inspires me, and resonated deeply as I face the mortality of my parents and recognise my own ‘left life’ as I get closer to a half century.
At the end of the session I asked for one word to describe how she found the session. And her reply was “inspirational’. To which I replied “thank you’.
To be called inspirational by someone who works with whom she does - was an honour. Coaching people who have the lives of others in their hands is a responsibility I do not carry lightly.
She had asked me why I coached at the start of the chat - and my reply to all of you - is because I get to work with people like her.
And that leads me onto gratitude.
What am I grateful for?
This week, I find myself reflecting deeply on the gratitude I have, for the invaluable contributions of female leaders and the male leaders who embody qualities often traditionally associated with women.
In today’s diverse workplace, the blend of leadership styles creates a rich environment where collaboration and empathy flourish.
I am particularly grateful for three qualities that exemplify effective leadership: empathy, nurturing, and collaboration.
Empathy is crucial as it enables leaders to understand and connect deeply with their team members, fostering an atmosphere of trust and support. This quality is essential in addressing the needs and concerns of individuals, creating a more harmonious workplace.
Nurturing is not just about giving care; it involves fostering growth, encouraging employees to develop their skills, and being invested in their professional journeys. This kind of leadership promotes not only personal improvement but also overall team success.
Collaboration stands out as another critical quality. Female leaders often prioritise teamwork and shared goals, recognising that diverse perspectives can lead to innovative solutions. Male leaders who embrace these collaborative traits contribute significantly to a culture that values input from all employees, breaking down silos and creating a more inclusive environment.
Despite these strengths being well-known, I often find myself perplexed as to why we do not recognise and celebrate these qualities in leadership more frequently. The existing narratives around leadership still lean heavily towards traditionally male traits, overshadowing the positive impact of empathy, nurturing, and collaboration. It’s why I was compelled to record the above video, which isn’t the reserve of the folk I met that day. It is time we start acknowledging the contribution that women can and do make to this world and the positive change they bring to our organisations.
Social media gratitude…
This week I am grateful for the multitude of wonderful posts from Brigid Russell.
Not only is she a fabulous coach and founder of the ‘spaces for listening’ approach with Charlie Jones, but she writes beautifully and has inspired me with her openness about loss, love and grief.
This weeks post in particular grabbed me as it resonates with so much of my reflection over the past few months; I’ll let it speak for itself.
“We seem to spend so much time asking things like 'what do you do?' and 'did you use your time productively?' Time on this precious earth is fragile. Life is so much more than getting things done. It is being. In love, friendship, connection. In all their beauty & wonder”.
Please have a look at her POSTS and consider following her. Her words uplift, whilst being able to cradle sadness, fear or uncertainty, you may feel.
It is an honour and a blessing to have been able to work with her.
What could have gone better?
Last time, I reflected on how breakages lead to new opportunities and the importance of embracing the lessons learned through pain. Now, I find myself at a pivotal point in my journey, precisely where I need to be.
Embracing the idea that breakages can lead to new opportunities feels vital. I don’t yearn to reconstruct myself in the same way; instead, I welcome the chance to grow beyond my previous self. Each moment of pain unveils resilience and deepens my compassion, reminding me that healing is a shared experience.
In the spirit of kintsugi, I see beauty in the cracks. This period of discomfort isn’t just about healing—it’s a transformative journey that will add rich layers to my life and help me, in the long term, evolve.
And so this week, there’s nothing that could have gone better; any minor setbacks feel like a drop of rain in the sea - noticed but not to be dwelt on now, and causing ripples that will be felt years from now.
What am I reading?
This week I have begun to read the book - Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown. Read a preview HERE
In “Daring Greatly,” Brené Brown invites readers on an empowering journey centred on the topic of vulnerability.
For a long time, I hesitated to dive into this book largely because it felt like everyone else was reading it. However, I finally recognised that its core message resonates deeply with my mission of helping good people lead great things. Brown's insights appear, so far, to challenge conventional notions of strength and success, arguing that true greatness lies in embracing our imperfections and showing up authentically.
Through a mix of personal anecdotes, research, and practical tools, she demonstrates how vulnerability can pave the way for connection, courage, and creativity.
My coaching clients—good people who are already leading great things can struggle with the vulnerability of being their true selves, their brilliant selves and Brown’s teachings may provide a further framework for helping these leaders embrace their gifts.
And as a coach and a father, I’m always happy to challenge my approach and how I work, with a ‘beginners mind’, because ultimately, it is how I can be of greatest service to those I work with.
Whilst, I can’t yet thoroughly recommend it, I’m sure I will.
Look out for the opinion post, I’ll write on it, in coming weeks and let me leave you with this quote from the book
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage”.
May you find the courage to be vulnerable, even with yourself - such that you may serve those you lead - even better.
What am I wishing for?
This week, I sincerely hope that everyone impacted by the wildfires in LA are safe and receiving the necessary support during this incredibly difficult time. It’s heartbreaking to witness the destruction of so many beautiful homes and cherished habitats.
As we think about the devastation, it’s important not to forget that there are many regions around the world, where “…the climate crisis is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events. From droughts to hurricanes to floods, these climate extremes are driving more people into severe hunger and poverty…” already.
Often under - reported by the mainstream media, countries like Sudan, Pakistan and Madagascar are already seeing devastating climate change impact.
My wish is that the highly publicised events in LA, serve as a catalyst for meaningful climate action. While it’s essential to acknowledge the hardships faced by all communities, I believe that the plight of those with wealth and influence could mean a stronger response, by that very group of people, to the climate crisis.
I encourage those who have the means to leverage their gifts and resources to make a positive difference for our planet and contribute to the urgent fight against climate change. Together, we can create a more sustainable future.
Last Weeks Wish
In my last week notes, I wished that those who suffer from mental health struggles find peace during the festive season. Christmas, while often seen as a time for joy, can amplify feelings of isolation, anxiety, and sadness, especially for those who have faced breakdowns. It’s important to remember that you're not alone and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed during this time. Acknowledging your emotions is a vital step toward healing.
Reaching out for support from friends, family, or mental health professionals can provide relief. Simple acts of self-care, like taking quiet moments for yourself or expressing feelings through journaling, are important for nurturing your wellbeing.
A Last Word - Faith
This week, my word of the week is "faith”.
The phrase “Let your faith be bigger than your fears.” has resonated deeply with me in the past few weeks.
Thinking about an upcoming house move, closing the Little Boat Gallery and the thought of new starts, invites me, and I believe all of us, to confront our challenges with courage.
I’m beginning to realise that faith transcends mere belief; it's about trust and assurance in ourselves, our capabilities, and those around us, as well as the way life will ‘play' out’ for us.
I’ve always found it in my in leadership and my coaching, and now I’m challenging myself to accept it in my personal life - I’m beginning to lean into this faith as a guiding light, especially when fear tries to cast shadows on my path.
This week, my reflections are coloured by three major events in my life, two breakdowns, a divorce and the journey of finding great acceptance for me and, maybe one day, new love.
These experiences have, and are, profoundly shaping my understanding of faith. They’ve inspired me to embrace the idea that what is meant to be will be—a sentiment that aligns closely with my conversations with my great friend Daljinder and the Sikh teachings (I cannot do justice to, yet) which emphasise surrendering to ‘God’s will.’
I still, have some miles to travel, on the God front, but I’m learning to accept the concept of faith, allowing it to ease my grip on the control, I have placed upon everything, I do, to date.
I turn 48 tomorrow, and also find myself considering my role as a father, a friend, and a partner. Each of these relationships requires a special kind of faith, one that allows my loved ones, as well as myself, to lean into our fears.
As a father, I realise the importance of creating a nurturing environment where my children feel safe to express their uncertainties. Encouraging them to confront fears, while knowing that I am there to walk hand in hand with them, fosters not only their growth but my own as well.
As a friend and partner, my role extends beyond just providing support; it involves instilling faith in others during their moments of doubt. When my friends or a future partner faces their own challenges, I must strive to embody a comforting presence, reassuring them that they are not alone in their fears. By sitting with them sometimes, rather than walking alongside them, I must learn to have faith that they will find a way to illuminate a path forward - for them - and I. My role? to have faith in our strength and resilience, individually, and combined.
In leadership, having faith is crucial. It nurtures a culture where team members feel valued and empowered. Picture a leader facing the daunting task of navigating an organisational change. If that leader’s faith in their vision, their team and their strategy remains steadfast, it inspires those around them to move forward with optimism. Where one has faith that doing ones best is enough and if it isn’t, it wasn’t meant to be - is a leap of faith - but ultimately it’s a faith which frees us to be bolder and more patent than. ever before.
In coaching, this faith takes on another dimension. Coaches act as pillars of support, facilitating clients through self-doubt and fear. My faith as a coach is that the right clients will find me, and that my clients will share their experiences with others, allowing me to continue doing what I love.
I believe in the power of vulnerability; when clients take the leap to share their journeys, it not only fosters growth but strengthens their connection to their own paths. This mutual trust becomes integral, creating a safe space for exploration and transformation.
In my personal journey, beginning to accept that I have less control of external outcomes has allowed me to begin to take more control of my actions and interactions. By focusing on what I can influence—particularly the intentions I set and my responses to the external world - I’m learning to navigate life’s complexities with greater clarity. Amidst these reflections, I’ve come to understand that embracing faith fosters a sense of peace; I’m not sure that I’ve truly known before.
Life, it seems, is a delicate dance of faith and fear. Each of us faces moments of uncertainty—whether it’s making a career leap or nurturing relationships. Yet, I’m learning that when we allow some form of faith to anchor us, we can venture boldly into the unknown. It’s very different to finding belief - which for me has been about ‘battle’, where faith - I’m exploring is about acceptance.
This week, as we reflect on the word ‘faith’, let’s allow it to overshadow our fears. By doing so, we will cultivate resilience, inspire those around us, and embrace the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.
Thank you for reading my week notes; Questions…
For now, let me leave you with 3 questions, based upon leaning into the final word - Outside . I hope they are useful.
What went well for you this past week?
What are you grateful for this week?
What is your word of the week?
If you’d like some help answering those questions get in touch via my contact page here; or via stefan@stefanpowell.co.uk
Have a great weekend all.
Stefan
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I’ll continue this in 4 to 5 Thursdays time when I continue the topic of ‘Rest” in my Thursday Journal.
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For now; thank you
I am…
An executive coach who specialises in helping good people lead great things.
Good people care about others, our planet and beauty. Great things are changes for the betterment of society and all that lives within an around it.
It sounds big and fun - it is.
I'm also an endurance racing cyclist and a go. getter.
You can read more about me and what I do; how I work here