Michael Hagley – Give It A Shot

Bio for Michael Hagley 

Michael has been working as a coach since 2013 and his clients include managers, sales executives, consultants and small business owners. An Adler Trained Coach, he helps his clients develop personal skills, power, grace and a greater capacity to lead. 

Episode highlight

 Listen in on how Michael Hagley’s West Indian childhood and global experience have created a more meaningful experience for his own life as well as for his coaching clients. 

Links

Email: michael@bearingcoach.ca

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhagley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bearingcoach/

Website: www.bearingcoach.ca

Quotes

“When you arrive together, you can celebrate, not just by yourself.” 

“I believe that we can always do better, especially for the things we have taken responsibility for.”

Takeaways

Childhood incidents:

Cubs and Scouts had a big impact on Michael, and he became one of the first chief scouts in Canada, one of the top honours at the time. It was his first introduction to leadership, and he enjoyed being outdoors in the wild.

He was also influenced by the Reverend at his church who encouraged taking care of those around him and treating them well, in an effort to make this world make more sense. 

Groups you were born into: 

Michael was born into the West Indian culture, his mother being from Trinidad and Tobago, and his father from Grenada. 

He was raised with a strong moral compass, where being true to what your heart knew was the right thing to do took precedence over what others told you to do. 

Groups you chose to belong to: 

Michael learned the value of teamwork during his rowing years. All four rowers needed to have perfect synchronicity in movement and choreography to make the boat move forward consistently, quickly and meaningfully. He extrapolates that coordination into his approach to work even today.

Temperament and personality influences

Michael is an eternal optimist and a self-confessed inquirer. 

He has grown into appreciating what his life has afforded him, in contrast to the realities of life he comes across on his travels. 

A time I became aware that my way of doing things was cultural and specific to my cultural experience

Michael once worked for a start-up whose culture he couldn’t identify with. The business eventually failed, which taught him to trust his gut. 

Advice to an employer to work with me

For Michael to give his best at a job, he needs to work together with his employer. He believes that when everyone on a team participates, it helps solve problems better. 

More great insights from our guest! 

Michael advises taking the time to get accustomed to any new culture. When people from that culture notice you taking an effort to observe, they will appreciate it and help you bridge the gap.

If you would like to learn more about overcoming cultural obstacles, read Michael’s blog on his website and share your thoughts!