📢 Mastering Communication: My Talk at Middlesex University’s Executive MBA Program

🎤 The Opportunity
After hosting the CIPD Awards at The Ritz-Carlton in Dubai, I connected with key professionals, which led to an invitation to speak to Executive MBA students at Middlesex University. This is a great example of how networking and delivering value can open unexpected doors.

🗣️ The Talk
During my session, I covered essential topics on communication and storytelling, focusing on:
✅ The power of storytelling – How stories create impact and make your message memorable.
✅ Understanding what’s important to the other person – The key to real connection and influence.
✅ The 5 things we all want to be – A framework that helps you communicate in a way that truly resonates.

🚀 Why It Matters
Great communication isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you make others feel. Whether in business, leadership, or everyday conversations, mastering these skills can set you apart.

🔗 Tune in to learn how you can elevate your communication skills and create meaningful connections!

4o

Following my pre event chat, what happened on the night?

Enjoy episode and don't forget to like share and subscribe

People think you shouldn't work for free and In small parts I believe that but there are so many areas where it works to collaborate where it can benefit both sides .

On this episode I share the build up to the Awards event i'm hosting,

Exposure is very important,

Along with this I speak about the 2 day broker course I delivered the last 2 days,

I am not the biggest fan of online courses but unfortunately this is how the people want to engage so it is what it is.

Calling clients is tough!

The internal doubts we have, the fear of being screamed at, it all plays around in our head!

Along with a mindset shift of believing you are someone of value, why not try this approach.

Rather than asking a client if the're interesting in buying what you're selling

Btw, you're offering your services (something they know nothing about)

Why not lead with value?

Now think, what could be of value to the client?

Watch this episode to learn techniques that will create value with your client and in turn lead to opportunities.

This weeks episode I speak about networking but not in a place where you're uncomfortable standing around

On the golf course where you can have a general conversation and start to establish trust with someone .

That's what happened with me!

The good thing about what I do is that what I teach is shown pretty much in my conversation with someone,

Nothing to do with 1 liners, its about establishing trust .

Really enjoyed last week, got out the apartment, worked in an office environment, met lots of new people and gave value to the community!

On this episode I speak about hiring someone who was meant to raise the bar, a new benchmark on what success looks like,

Trouble was, I made the wrong choice

Now, if you make a bad choice you can either bite the bullet, hold or your hands up and solve the issue before it gets out of hand,

Or you can drag it out and in the end, relationships , culture and all round energy can get effected watch this episode to see what happened to me,

I do these videos to show the challenges, everyday is a struggle,

I will tell you nothing comes easy and show you where I fail but I will fail my way to success.

What happens when you don't make a decision as a leader?

On the show today, Bushra Ahmed

We speak about transferable skills, conflict resolution, communication skills, listening skills,

I am fascinated by law because I wanted to be a lawyer when I was younger but when I look at skills needed to be a lawyer, I have been able to apply those to what I do now and build a career

In this episode we discussthe importance still of hard work even with AI , Everyone has seen the show SUITS but is there a Mike in the team?What is the reality of this?

Transferable Skills: Boost Your Career Success

Problem-Solving: The Power of Listening

How UK Lawyers Practice Law in Dubai: A Unique Insight

Mediation: The Key to Effective Leadership

Understanding Mis-Selling in Financial Products: Legal Insights

The Key to Conflict Resolution

The Power of Evidence: Proving Your Case Effectively

Ep 107 Practicing Law in the UAE, A UK Barristers Guide with Bushra Ahmed

Around 6 years ago I decided I was leaving the company I worked at for 7 years, I have my own company now but back then I was looking for a leadership role at one of the flag ship companies In Dubai .

During the interview I was asked a situational question. Mark, you’re leading a team and the the online product goes down, no one can open the app, no one can use it, what do you do ?

Now, on reflection, I completely messed up here! My response

I’ll do what ever I have to, I’ll do this job , I’ll do that job, I’ll be up all night to ensure it’s done and everyone is back on line!!At the time I thought it showed my grit and determination

BUT

The reason for the question was to see the level of trust I had in my team! What should I have done?

Well I need to first of all picture that I know my team, I trust them and they are more than capable to get this issue resolved ! With that mindset I then can go about what is my role and that is to support them in the background

Yes I have to still be hands on but in no way should I be trying to do the tech guys job when I don’t even know how to set up a laptop! Why am I saying this? 2 things 1 - I realized that maybe I’m not the leader I thought I was.2 - don’t be so eager during an interview to say you’ll turn the world upside down to get it doneThink what you would actually do in that role and probably something you’ve already been doing for a number of months / years.If you want to know what else happened during this Interview, something that meant I wasn’t even going to get the job in the first place, watch out for my “failing my way (in public) to success podcast Where I tell more of this story, you’ll be SHOCKED and I’m hoping it questions some of the stupidity that goes on today! Leaders, recruiters, interviewers, interviewees , what’s your thoughts on this? Has it happened to you? hashtag#leadership hashtag#interview hashtag#candidate hashtag#recruitment hashtag#grit hashtag#determination