Leading By Example.
Teamwork.
Leaving No-one Behind.
Matt Garman
The Corporate Adventurer
Keynote Speaker, Adventurer and Author
An entertaining speaker, Matt’s relaxed and confident style is compelling as he shows how to unleash extraordinary leadership potential. Sharing his own unconventional journey into leadership, complete with mistakes, regrets and outstanding achievements in equal measure. He demonstrates how the unique combination of academic achievement, whether great or small, added to life experiences, unlocks leadership ability that is relatable and effective. He is inspirational as he vividly illustrates his journey with the excitement and thrills of his seriously, life changing adventures.
The Corporate Adventurer
Keynotes
Matt’s keynote addresses are tailored to his audience and show how experiences change and help to develop a unique style of leadership. He uses the wisdom hard won by his own mistakes and achievements, as he shows how to maximise what we know and who we are.
He emphasises the value of each individual’s journey and the fine line between leadership in business and adventure, when preparing and training for success and achieving it. His insights illuminate the power of authenticity, sharing vulnerability and how leadership is about creating teams that work. Above all, Matt urges all leaders to be kind. We always have a choice he says, and the only choice we should make as leaders, is to be kind.
Matt shows that sharing vulnerability is a strength and how overcoming critical moments of self-doubt to emerge triumphant, with an understanding of the value of taking yourself outside your comfort zone, making you a better leader, a better person, and on the way to being the best version of yourself.
Workshops
Matt believes in teamwork and collaboration and his interactive leadership workshops guide participants to evaluate where they are, where they want to be and how to create their unique leadership playbook.
Understanding influences, the people who were inspirational from childhood through to who will be inspirational tomorrow. Matt emphasises the value of continuing to learn and being relatable. Leading the team with the strength that comes from vulnerability, open communication and respect for each individual.
Matt challenges his participants and expects them to challenge him. He knows that every person has a unique story and is sincere in his belief that workshops only deliver when everyone is fully engaged and that includes him. His aim is to encourage and support each person to help them unlock their potential and build their belief and confidence in their own journey to effective leadership.
Mentoring
Matt’s work as a mentor is focussed on effective leadership, utilising a simple positioning exercise to open the conversation and develop an understanding of where the mentee needs the most guidance to achieve their objective.
He challenges existing behaviour and expectations asking a mentee to accept accountability for changing their thinking and behaviour, to recalibrate and realise their potential as a leader.
A crucial element of the journey, is devising a mantra that encapsulates the essence of why a person wants to be a leader, helping them to keep going, when the going gets tough.
Matt says that a personal mantra will change over time, as each leader develops and keeps growing in experience and wisdom. An ideal personal mantra is one that motivates and reminds you of why good leadership matters.
Matt’s personal mantra for a long time was: ‘Don’t let the team down.’ During the Atlantic row, he developed a deeper understanding of how important robust mental health is and how a leader influences this. It changed his focus from himself, to his team.
Matt’s mantra is now: ‘Lead with empathy, compassion and kindness.’