Phil Eyre, the founder of Leaders, talks happiness, watching TV, and changing old habits.
As the founder of Leaders, Phil Eyre specialises in leadership coaching and works with senior executives and boards in the Channel Islands and London. Phil has served on the boards of various charities, ran the Guernsey hub of a national theology college, and he’s an accredited pastor in the Baptist Union of Great Britain. He lives in Guernsey.
What’s your day-to-day work routine?
My daily activities vary throughout the week. Typically, I’ll start the day reflecting on the people I’m going to see during the day ahead. I’ll send some encouraging messages before a day of one-to-one coaching, in person or virtually, or it might be team development work such as leadership workshops and offsites. My work can take me to a wide variety of organisations, including manufacturing, the British Army, healthcare, and finance and retail environments in the Channel Islands, UK and occasionally further afield (currently virtually to the Caribbean and the USA). Before the end of the day I will focus on reading, writing and setting up new client meetings.
What’s the most interesting thing about your work?
People. It’s a privilege to hear people’s stories from both a workplace and personal perspective. Everyone is unique; understanding and experiencing a wide variety of people is exceptionally stimulating.
What are you watching/reading/listening to?
I’m currently reading Dream Big by Bob Goff and Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee. I’m enjoying watching Connected (Netflix), The Boys (Amazon Prime) and McMillions (Sky Atlantic).
What are the last three accounts you followed on social media?
- Dream Big Framework (@DBframework)
- Dan Derksen (@DanDoerksen)
- Aspire Group (@Aspida_Group)
When are you happiest?
Being ‘happily tired’ from work is a source of joy; knowing that I have applied and stretched myself in a way that’s made a positive difference to others via work is satisfying. I’m happy when I’m spending quality time (not distracted) with close friends. Quality time – whether active, exploring or relaxing – with my immediate family is also very joyful. I’m happiest when I am able to give proper attention to all areas of life – work, friends, home, health, faith.
What keeps you awake at night?
Happily, these days, very little. Previously I would sometimes struggle to sleep whilst thinking about tasks I’d not yet completed, conversations that I needed to have and differences of opinion that were yet to be resolved. I learned to change my habits, inspired by Arianna Huffington, CEO of Thrive, and her passion for sleep and a healthy work-life balance.
What traits do you most like in yourself?
A generally positive demeanour and a passion to encourage, strengthen, and inspire other people.
What traits do you dislike in other people?
Anti-social behaviour that shows no consideration for others. Greed. Complaining without any intention to suggest or support change.
What do you do to relax?
A mix of running (I’m currently running around 18 miles per week), playing with family and friends, watching certain series on TV and travelling (when possible!).
How do you measure success?
Happiness: mine and the people around me (including clients). This is predominately based on a sense of sustainable growth and progress in all aspects of life – health, financial, faith, quality of relationships. I set and review a mix of hard measures (e.g. books read over a year, miles run, financial returns) and ‘soft’ ambitions (time to play, experiences, client feedback) when assessing success.
