Darren Hood, MSUXD’s Post

Friday Reflection - Make time to practice 'Sound Presence'. On Monday, I had the privilege of joining the IoD Glass Ceiling Group for the third and final event of the Future Leaders Programme 2024, in collaboration with Generation 2030. Titled "Personal Branding: Elevating Your Voice in a Busy World," the event brought together trailblazers, future leaders, and changemakers to explore the profound impact of personal branding on leadership, growth, and legacy. Congratulations to Laura Toop, Lorraine Milligan and Joanna Rawbone my fellow panellists for creating an atmosphere of inspiration, insight, and empowerment. Your perspectives were a testament to how personal branding is not just about standing out but about showing up authentically in the spaces that matter most. During the event, Laura posed a thought-provoking question: 💡 "What does personal branding mean to you, and how has it evolved over your career?" For me, personal branding is the alignment of authenticity and purpose—a reflection of the values, passions, and vision that make us uniquely us. It’s not just what people see but what they feel when they encounter your work, your voice, or your leadership. Over the years, I’ve learned that personal branding evolves as we evolve. It grows as we navigate new challenges, learn new lessons, and step boldly into new chapters of our lives. As we wrapped up this transformative programme, the room was alive with the energy of growth and possibility. To everyone who took part, I hope you carry this momentum forward—confident in your ability to navigate transitions, embrace your unique identity, and lead with clarity and purpose. To Generation 2030 UK, the Institute of Directors (IoD), and the amazing participants—thank you for the opportunity to share, learn, and grow together. Let’s continue to elevate our voices in this busy world because the future is listening. Looking forward to meeting you Wandsworth Borough Council next Month! #PersonalBranding #FutureLeaders #Motivation #Authenticity #Leadership #BoroughCouncil

Friday Reflection - Make time to practice 'Sound Presence'. On Monday, I had the privilege of joining the IoD Glass Ceiling Group for the third and final event of the Future Leaders Programme 2024, in collaboration with Generation 2030. Titled "Personal Branding: Elevating Your Voice in a Busy World," the event brought together trailblazers, future leaders, and changemakers to explore the profound impact of personal branding on leadership, growth, and legacy. Congratulations to Laura Toop, Lorraine Milligan and Joanna Rawbone my fellow panellists for creating an atmosphere of inspiration, insight, and empowerment. Your perspectives were a testament to how personal branding is not just about standing out but about showing up authentically in the spaces that matter most. During the event, Laura posed a thought-provoking question: 💡 "What does personal branding mean to you, and how has it evolved over your career? For me, personal branding is the alignment of authenticity and purpose—a reflection of the values, passions, and vision that make us uniquely us. It’s not just what people see but what they feel when they encounter your work, your voice, or your leadership. Over the years, I’ve learned that personal branding evolves as we evolve. It grows as we navigate new challenges, learn new lessons, and step boldly into new chapters of our lives. As we wrapped up this transformative programme, the room was alive with the energy of growth and possibility. To everyone who took part, I hope you carry this momentum forward—confident in your ability to navigate transitions, embrace your unique identity, and lead with clarity and purpose. To Generation 2030 UK, the Institute of Directors (IoD), and the amazing participants—thank you for the opportunity to share, learn, and grow together. Let’s continue to elevate our voices in this busy world because the future is listening. Looking forward to meeting you Wandsworth Borough Council next Month! #PersonalBranding #FutureLeaders #Motivation #Authenticity #Leadership #BoroughCouncil

🌧️ A brilliant, but rainy, morning at Altitude 9 in the SC Council Hall building, listening to two amazing business owners talking about how to grow your business. Thanks to SCA and CO-LAB we have enjoyed the speeches, knowledge and sense of humour from John Lazarou, Director of The Coffee Club and Roz White, Company Director of White’s IGA. Their insights were not just about business strategy—they spoke to the heart of leadership, community, and growth. Here are a few gems that really struck a chord with us: ✨ "If you don’t have people behind you, you don’t have nothing. If you have the right people, everything will be right." 💡 A reminder that the true backbone of any venture is its people. Invest in building a team that believes in your vision, and the rest will follow. 🏃♂️ "You set the pace in your business. Your staff is only as fast as you are." Leaders, remember: your energy sets the tone. Push forward with passion, and your team will match that drive. 🧭 "Understand where you sit in your market." Knowing your niche and staying true to it helps you stand out. Market positioning isn't just about competition—it's about authenticity. 🤝 "Know what your clients want and become their friends." Building genuine connections with your customers is where the magic happens. It's not just about transactions; it's about relationships. 🚀 "Version 1 is better than version none." Perfection is the enemy of progress! Take that first step, make mistakes, learn, and iterate. Progress over perfection always. 🧠 "Don’t underestimate the local intel. Sometimes things don’t look good on paper, but… Follow your gut feeling." In a world obsessed with data, this was a timely reminder that instinct and local knowledge are irreplaceable. Trust the pulse of your community and your intuition! Thanks again to SCA and CO-LAB for bringing us together on this rainy yet enlightening day. We're heading back to our offices with fresh ideas, new connections, and a renewed sense of purpose for the Sunshine Coast's bright future. 🌞 #YBC #YourBrandCrew #SunshineCoastMarketing #OceanThinker #CommunityMatters #LeadershipWisdom #SunshineCoastBusiness #YBCConnections #InspirationToAction

🌟 Gratitude & Growth! 🌟 A big #Vistage Thank You to Dave Alden and his CE3210 Group in Bethlehem/Philadelphia for the warm invitation to be your guest speaker. Our meeting was at the serene Saucon Valley Country Club, courtesy of our host Matthew Petrozelli, was truly memorable. Kudos to David and his dynamic business leaders, all driven by a shared vision of business growth. For my topic, they even extended the invitation to their sales and marketing teams, demonstrating the #PowerOfVistage in fostering collaborative growth. Together, working with me as the “case study” we broke into pairs and worked on delivering a compelling 30-second elevator pitch. The key takeaway? Seamlessly aligning it with your LinkedIn profile, website, and business cards. After all, LinkedIn isn't just about connections; it's about nurturing relationships and ensuring your branding answers the crucial "what's in it for me". For business leaders in the greater Philadelphia area seeking professional development or aiming to enhance business value, I wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to David or any member of his  group. Embrace the transformative journey offered by Vistage, and unlock your full potential by clicking here: :https://bit.ly/3teUBJB.  #BusinessLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #VistageJourney #EmpowerYourBusiness #LinkedIn #Vistage #Automation #AI On a personal note, my time in Philly was filled with positive experiences - from savoring my first Philly Cheesesteak to channeling my inner Rocky by conquering those iconic steps. Until we meet again, Philly! 🥩🥊

It’s challenging to be a conscious leader operating in a not-so-conscious business world. Most of us don’t have other heart-centered, conscious thought partners in our daily work interactions or the conscious business tools to help us focus on profit and people. Community is vital to spark growth and innovation. We all need to bounce ideas around, check our assumptions, and expand our perspectives. When we searched for a conscious business community, we found only places targeted toward CEOs of large companies and others who are asked to pay enormous fees to join. Often, these sites wanted us to join before we could even peek at what’s happening behind the wall. Or there was an obvious lack of co-creative community space designed to help members interact and grow together. These reasons fueled our passion to create the Genius Goals Hub, our conscious business playground that is accessible to conscious small business owners, leaders, and consultants who desire a better way to lead and grow profitable businesses. Our first Community Kick-Off call is this Friday! It's open to all Cornerstone Members. If you'd like to join us you can become a member for free at: https://lnkd.in/gCXWx4FZ #consciousleadership #consciousbusiness #consciouscommunity #community #communityofpractice #businesscommunity

🧭🧭 We know great #leadership when we see it. Leading is, as it long has been, about mobilizing #people towards a common goal... despite their #differences. A great leader is set to build networks serving their community and broader society, focusing primarily on inspiring an enduring sense of direction that unleashes collective energy to work on transformative solutions. Many institutions engage in transformation initiatives, but only some are actually transformative. It may feel like time spent influencing means time away from running the actual stuff, that little impact stemmed out of these efforts, but it's a long-term process, and today's leadership is moving across and beyond to architect the ecosystem that treats transformation as a continuous process rather than a temporary deviation from "normal." HLTH Europe - the air buzzed enthusiastically, and the halls echoed the spirit of innovation. It was a gathering of brilliant minds and passionate hearts. As I navigated through the myriad of activities, I found myself enveloped in a sense of gratitude. The opportunity to meet new colleagues offered a fresh perspective; each handshake and exchange was a new seed planted for future collaborations that could one day bear fruit. Yet ❤️❤️ amidst the excitement of new connections, this was a week of active questioning and emotional reset... there was a hint of nostalgia for the familiar faces. From a distance, I spotted many friends, some of whom I've known for years, others I've admired from the periphery. Observing them from afar, I was struck by the realization of their unwavering commitment. My dear colleagues and friends, each of you is a source of positive energy that transcends physical presence. The thought of you, out there relentlessly pursuing the boundaries, fills me with a profound sense of hope and respect and drives me to contribute to the collective effort of shaping a better future. Here's to the #changemakers, the #dreamers, the #doers, and the #friends - both near and far - who continue to lead the charge toward a brighter tomorrow. ARC Innovation • Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer Eyal Zimlichman, MD | Eveline Fomenko | Jan Van Acker | Iris Shtein | Erica Bennett | Avner Halperin | Lee Aviram Shoshany | Chaya Zabihi | Shachar Orpaz | benny ben lulu | Gal Goshen | Daphna Deane | Orli Biger | Oshrat Goldberg Hodara, MHSA | Karen Biala | Aurele Ben, MD | Lihi Lubranski | Eran Lerer | Elizabeth Solovyova | Tom R.

Join me at my keynote on August 15th. Topics Covered: - Diversity of Thought - How the Brain Works - What is Creativity? - Building a Creative Work Environment https://lnkd.in/ghCmPNWV

If you've ever been to an event that I've planned, you know that taking moments and turning them into memories fills my heart with joy! Jill Barnett, Abby Ronnebeck and I are so excited to create events that you NEED and WANT. I'd feel so grateful to receive your feedback and interest via the link below so we can get to work on customizing these events for YOU! 💜 __________________________________________________________________________________ ✈️ ANNOUNCING BOLD BLUEPRINT RETREATS ✈️ The Bold Blueprint retreats are designed to be an intimate, collaborative, and connective space for those who are ready to sharpen their skills, elevate their impact, and create bold leadership and legacies. These immersive experiences are hand-curated based on the group’s collective profile and will consist of 20 or less unique individuals who are ready to connect, lift, challenge, support and celebrate! At Bold Blueprint retreats, we’ll create an environment where vulnerability meets innovation and authenticity thrives. Through high engagement, storytelling, and actionable strategies, participants will leave with a renewed sense of purpose and the tools needed to move forward boldly. It’s a space for meaningful connections, diverse perspectives, and empowering conversations that push boundaries and redefine your sense of leadership. WHAT TO EXPECT: - Tailored sessions blending personal growth and business strategy - Opportunities to share your story, tackle challenges, and exchange ideas. - A community of like-minded individuals committed to building a future of bold, authentic leadership. - Actionable strategies to drive growth, overcome obstacles, and shape a lasting legacy. This is more than a retreat; it’s a transformative experience where bold ideas and connection take center stage. Ready to join us? 🔗 Sign up to express your preferences and stay in the loop: https://lnkd.in/gm2tRrQs (NOTE: submitting your preferences and an indication of interest does not commit you to the retreat. More details will be announced on Registration soon)

Responsive Conference is BACK! 2 Discounts -- 1 ends TONIGHT! Don't miss this unparalleled Conference. An immersive experience about human connection, behavior, and work. I attended before Covid, and have been eager for its return. Sept 18-19th in SF Bay Area (Oakland) California ...to help build the Future of Work! https://lnkd.in/giCYZTpn It's a unique conference at the intersection of organization design, experimentation, and shaping company culture. It's intimate, unlike "mass conferences", authentic and fosters such strong connection among fellow attendees. Great for People/HR/DEI Leaders, Founders, Execs, Culture Champions, Coaches, etc. You can use a special discount code “AUTHENTICITY“ to get 20% off at any time.   Also, get early bird pricing thru TONIGHT - 8/15. #FutureofWork #Changemakers #Innovators #ResponsiveCon #ResponsiveOrg #stellarconference #authenticity #culture #connection

Embark on a transformative journey at our Refer and Recommend International event, where LeadHERship Global members unite to address challenges, share expertise, and forge connections across borders. In a secure, confidential space, openly discuss your business pain points, tapping into the collective wisdom of our global community committed to advancing inspiring leaders worldwide. Register for our next event on Wednesday, February 28th at 3:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm CT / 6:00 pm ET here: https://lnkd.in/gQ23Vd8z In collaboration with Jules Brooke and She’s The Boss, we're not just expanding opportunities; we're encouraging expansive thinking. Whether steering a purpose-driven enterprise or aspiring to global dominance, the key to traction lies in building a worldwide network. Join us monthly on the fourth Wednesday at 3:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm CT / 6:00 pm ET to unlock the value of global collaboration, empowering executives like you to not only grow but to scale their businesses with a rich tapestry of diverse insights. Your journey to success begins with global connections — we can't wait to welcome you! #womeninbusiness #womenempowerment #leadhershipglobal #womenforwomen #womenbusinessowners #womenempoweringwomen #communitybuilding #leadershipdevelopment #leadershipjourney #supportingeachother #empoweringwomen #leadershipwisdom #womenentrepreneurs #leadershipexcellence #womenentrepreneur #womenentrepreneur #internationalcommunity #internationalbusiness #womenconnectingglobally #globalconnections #globalcollaboration