Episode #62: Alex Swallow – Life Is Better When We Choose
When Alex Swallow sees people doing great work, he experiences an almost evangelical urge to help bring others into connection with that work.
His ability to do just that, and to boldly spread the reach of ideas, initiatives and projects worth championing, led him to become The Influence Expert – a coach and thought leader who helps individuals, companies and institutions to grow and deepen their impact on the world.
Alex is also one of the new hosts of The Coach’s Journey Podcast, and this episode is a chance to hear about the journey he has been on, from being the first in his family to go to university, to becoming the chief executive of a national charity, and to writing his first book, How To Become an Influencer.
The conversation between Alex and Robbie explores influence, authenticity, and the philosophies and principles that shape our view of the world and the work we do in it.
Alex shares insights into how he has used social media to great effect in his career, and how he has carefully aligned himself with communities of people who are fuelling the next steps of his career as a coach, influencer and writer.
In this episode, Alex and Robbie also talk about:
The ‘golden threads’ in our experiences that lead us into the future
How humans get trapped by simple stories, and how that can limit our view of the world
The importance of agency, and how we can give it back to our clients
Why, how and when you might be a better coach than even the most experienced practitioners in the industry
Feedback, and how communities can enrich our practice
Alex also speaks about the new book he is collaborating on, which is tantalisingly focused on a particular method for getting clients.
For more information about Alex, visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexswallow/.
For more information about this episode’s host, Robbie Swale, visit https://www.robbieswale.com.
Read more about The Coach's Journey at www.thecoachsjourney.com.
Music by My Good Man William: listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KmeQUcTbeE31uFynHQLQg
To support the Coach's Journey, visit www.patreon.com/thecoachsjourney and to join the Coach's Journey Community visit www.thecoachsjourney.com/community.
Things and people we mentioned (that you might be interested in):
- Alex’s book, How to Become an Influencer http://theinfluenceexpert.com/store/
- Alex’s article on Lessons from 100 LinkedIn articles https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/100-linkedin-articles-key-lessons-alex-swallow/
- Ian Lawson https://towardsoutstandingleadership.com/ian-lawson
- Robbie’s article about how he became a full-time coach https://www.robbieswale.com/writing/2017/5/31/how-i-became-a-full-time-coach-less-than-two-years-after-starting-my-training
- Deborah Allcock Tyler https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-allcock-tyler-8013214/?originalSubdomain=uk
- Robert Cialdini - https://www.influenceatwork.com/
- Daniel Priestley https://danielpriestley.com/
- The Eden Project https://www.edenproject.com/
- Robbie’s writing https://www.robbieswale.com/writing-1
- Alex’s free online networking course https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/networking-free-course-join-850-students-alex-swallow/
- Alex’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexswallow/
- Barefoot Coaching https://barefootcoaching.co.uk/
- Empower World https://www.empower-world.com/
- Danielle Barbereau https://www.danielleb.co.uk/
- The Coach’s Journey Podcast Episode 56, introducing the new hosts https://www.thecoachsjourney.com/podcast/episode-56-introducing-the-new-hosts-ushering-in-the-future-of-the-coachs-journey
- Jonathan Haidt's Capitalism Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B-RkNRGH9s&list=PL7R2lAP7KeJrvuDlcYxIP-5dIjD45HOrL&index=7
BIOGRAPHY FROM ALEX
Alex Swallow is The Influence Expert – a coach and expert in influence and personal branding. Educated at Cambridge and Sussex Universities, he has spent much of his career in the not-for-profit sector, including as the chief executive of a small national charity. He has served on two charity boards, once as chair, and used to run an organisation that encouraged young people to join boards as well. He was also an intern for two members of parliament. He has lived and worked in more than 10 countries, including two years teaching in Japan. Travel, food and drink are his main passions outside of work.