We’ve spent some time getting to know the real Adrian Evans in the first podcast, now let’s dig into how you apply all the knowledge you’ve gained over the years in the work you do today…

Before we get started, I know from the time I’ve spent with you how much effort you put into keeping continually learning – forever reading articles, books, etc on anything from business to sport. Where did this passion start?

Everything’s connected, so no waste. I would stick at it longer. Second and third time. Do have good memory.

Society tends to encourage us to stop learning when we leave formal education so can you tell me what you get out of this lifelong commitment to gaining knowledge?

Its your curriculum and you get to choose your teachers.

Could you give any specific examples of ideas or pieces of information that have had a big impact on how you work?

Daniel Coyle K Anders Eriksson, Robert Bjork, Carol Dweck.

As an avid learner you’ve said that the best results come from this ‘targeted, focused and deliberate’ learning. What can the rest of us gain from doing the same – and how do we set about it?

Realise little is to do with natural born gifts when comes to complex cognitive tasks. First 20 hours.

Recently you told me one of most important traits a leader in today’s business world needs is 'learning agility'. Can you tell us more about that?

Like nature adaption is key. Change is inevitable, if it’s a new market a new skill you have to adapt to stay relevant. Learning key skills like how to recruit talent, I once shown a leader how to interview.

What else makes a modern successful leader? Human qualities, etc?

IQ/EQ/DQ

Not only are you a performance coach yourself, but you continue to seek out high achieving coaches in many fields to accelerate your own professional development. How do you set about that and how does this work?

To reach our potential we all need people who believe in us more than we do ourselves. It’s false economy not to invest in yourself. Felix and Michael Gervais.

Inspirational teacher myself Ceri, Ian Wright talking about teacher at primary school gave him a sense of belonging and worth. Lisa and a pitch. Team AGE one pager team of 10.

How do you create a ‘high performance team culture?’ – How important is employee engagement to this process?

Have to lead with competency and vulnerability or humanity empathy and candour. TLR. Employee engagement fundamental.

Your views on diversity for competitive advantage?

Its customer led, Mastercard in Kenya.

Is that a learnable skill?

Every complex cognitive skill is.

If I was to work for you, what would I notice about your approach?

Human led, fun and a little bit obsessed – an all-in type person.

You clearly have a deep passion for human potential. What have you learned about how far we can all go?

All taken from In The Zone: How Champions Think and Win Big by Clyde Brolin

Olympic heptathlon champion Denise Lewis: ‘It’s about unlocking that potential in your mind. The first step is not to put any limitations on what you think is physically and mentally possible. If you could engage that philosophy every time you woke up, when you go about your daily business at work, you’d think:

“Where did I generate that many hours in one day?” We do underestimate ourselves and I’m passionate about instilling that in young children: learn not to limit yourself. We all have negative chatter but it’s trying to minimise that. It’s about having a go…’

The ‘face’ of the 2000 Sydney Olympics Cathy Freeman: ‘There is so much untapped potential in people it’s incredible. The magic lives inside every one of us, despite our environment, our struggles and our doubts. It takes courage to realise what that magic is, then to actually go out and try to achieve it. It’s the power of loving yourself, I suppose, and giving yourself a chance.’