In this episode of True North Alignment, Keith Hodge is joined by executive coach and founder of Leadering, David Heaps.

For more than a decade, David has worked with founders and CEOs who have reached a point where strategy alone is no longer enough. Together, Keith and David explore why insight does not automatically create change, how unconscious patterns continue to shape our decisions, and why many people remain stuck despite understanding what is happening.

The conversation explores:

• Why awareness alone rarely changes behaviour
• How early experiences shape the beliefs that guide our lives
• The relationship between thought, emotion, and the body
• Recognising the hidden patterns behind leadership challenges
• Why the smallest unconscious reactions often have the biggest impact over time
• The role of presence in creating lasting change
• How personal growth influences business, relationships, and purpose

David also shares his own journey from struggling with depression and searching for meaning, to building a life centred around purpose, service, and helping others navigate their inner architecture.

This is a thoughtful conversation about leadership, self-awareness, and the patterns that quietly shape our lives.

About David Heaps

David Heaps is an executive coach and founder of Leadering. He works primarily with founders and CEOs, helping them understand the unconscious patterns influencing their leadership, decision-making, and relationships. His work focuses on what he calls "inner architecture", the beliefs, assumptions, and protective strategies that shape how people experience the world.