The Emotional Landscape Architect

By the early part of this century, the work I was doing with my clients was focused on addressing this very issue. Improving the relationship between people and work – developing very human solutions that worked.

I’ve been doing just that ever since. Although things have evolved and changed significantly, the needs of leaders are still upmost in my mind. Modern-day leadership demands high levels of self-awareness; a deep understanding of emotional intelligence; a healthy approach to building human relationships. Above all – how to make business a more human experience.

I’ve worked across some 60 countries, advised and coached over 30 high profile CEOs, developed leadership tools that have been used by over 1.5million people and had my work translated into 9 languages.

So how did I get here? I spent my early years in business in the pharmaceutical industry, working through manufacturing, marketing, sales, and general management latterly as managing director of an international biopharmaceuticals business.

I became an investor in a business designing and marketing business simulations and a partner in a management consultancy.

I met and worked with leaders of global businesses, daring entrepreneurs, brilliant thinkers, and well-respected academics. I was very fortunate to learn so much during these times, especially from people who shared generously and generously became inspiring mentors.

I developed (and started) a new concept for a business consultancy and over 25 years, I helped many extraordinary CEOs across the globe to better articulate their strategies and plans and connect with their people, build supportive cultures and improve the emotional landscape.

I worked outside the spotlights and built confidential relationships that often lasted several years. Some clients became lifelong friends, my work deeply appreciated and very effective.

The thing is, some stories, especially human ones that can help us better learn to lead, connect, and thrive together aren’t supposed to exist offstage, out of the spotlight, forever. This AHA! moment hit me with sudden clarity.

While I’ve spent years quietly getting on with all this, enjoying myself, succeeding, failing, inspiring and being inspired —I feel it’s the time to open up. In my new book AHA!, I’ve organised my thinking and hands-on experiences from over 30 years in leadership into twelve insights on making business a more human experience.

AHA! is an emotional book, a book from my heart, for leaders in the modern world. It sets context and gives examples of how the emotional landscape is playing a much more important role in businesses and how leaders can better deal with emotional pressures and develop the human opportunities.

I look forward to continuing to guide businesses and business leaders through their own emotional landscapes – advising, mentoring, coaching and building the best leadership tools.

Find out more about Mark's emotional landscaping, coaching & advice.