In February, Nigel Wright Group was delighted to host a business breakfast event in collaboration with Newcastle Rugby Foundation, the Newcastle Falcons’ official charity. Foundation ambassador and former England Rugby Union star, Tony Underwood, former Olympic swimmer, Chris Cook, and performance coach, Lysa Morrison were guest speakers. They presented to over 150 business leaders about the importance of emotional intelligence.
Guests were also treated to a presentation by Mel McGee, the Head of Newcastle Rugby Foundation, and four beneficiaries of the charity’s Rugby + Futures programme. Rugby + Futures helps prepare young people for work by training them in the art of emotional intelligence, alongside characteristics such as self-awareness, communication and resilience.
Finding Your Inner Gold
Becoming an Olympian is a dream shared by many athletes worldwide. The journey to reach the pinnacle of athletic achievement is filled with dedication, sacrifice, and hours of training. However, it’s the moments leading up to the race, the intense pressure, and the ability to navigate emotions that truly define the experience. As a two-time Olympian, Chris Cook knows this all too well, as he reflects on his journey and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.
Cook’s story is a testament to resilience, self-awareness, and the transformative power of emotional intelligence. In a captivating presentation, he explained how despite intense physical and mental preparation, he always fell short of his goal of winning an Olympic gold medal. The disappointment, however, served as a catalyst for self-discovery, pushing him to achieve success elsewhere, including winning two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.
He drew parallels between changing swimming lanes and the need for emotional intelligence in navigating life’s challenges. At the 1998 Olympic Games, despite the initial setback of a seventh-place finish, he was given a second chance to compete in a relay race four days later. The relay event became a redemption story as Cook and his teammates broke the British record, even without securing a medal. Moments of adversity, he says, are when true character is revealed.
The experience underscores the importance of emotional intelligence and the ability to get over disappointment. Cook’s message is clear: true success lies in personal growth and the ability to overcome challenges. As he concluded his presentation, Cook emphasised the core philosophy behind his programs – to inspire individuals to recognise their intrinsic value. He promotes the idea that realising one’s worth can lead to extraordinary achievements, and the true gold is within oneself.
An Olympic journey, with all its highs and lows, serves as a metaphor for life, teaching us that acknowledging our own value is the key to unlocking our full potential.
Empathy in the Workplace
Lysa Morrison is one of the UK’s leading life coaches and motivational speakers. She took the assembled audience on another journey, exploring the often underestimated yet crucial role of emotional intelligence in the workplace. In particular, she was keen to highlight the significance of empathy and its impact on building high-performing teams and organisations.
Morrison began her presentation by shedding light on the dichotomy between technical skills and emotional intelligence. She noted that while individuals are often hired for their technical prowess, they are just as frequently let go due to deficiencies in interpersonal relationships. Drawing on academic research, Morrison emphasised that performance is a synergy of ability, motivation, and opportunity.
Citing the Gallup Global Workplace 2023 Report, Morrison noted the startling contrast in employee engagement between high-performing organisations and employee engagement across the UK. The presentation then explored Gallup’s Q-12 approach for measuring engagement, emphasising the role of relationships, supervisor support, and organisational purpose. Implications of employee engagement on customer experience, productivity, and employer brand were also discussed.
Transitioning into the core theme of empathy, Morrison pointed out the often-overlooked connection between empathy and employee engagement. Despite recent research identifying empathy as the most critical leadership skill, it remains sidelined in discussions about workplace improvement.
The crux of Morrison’s message lies in the assertion that empathy is a ‘power skill’ that enhances technical abilities, especially in leadership roles. She went on to define and differentiate the three types of empathy – cognitive, emotional, and empathetic concern – underlining their crucial role in effective communication, relationship building, and influencing skills.
Addressing roadblocks to empathy, Morrison also tackled issues like emotional arousal, bias, and the avoidance of discomfort. Stressing the need to proactively choose empathy, she highlighted the ongoing practice required to enhance empathetic abilities. This led to a discussion of the dynamics of exclusion in groups, and how busyness can lead to neglecting those around us.
Morrison concluded with a practical guide to cultivating empathy, focusing on self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness.
Resilient Team Dynamics
Tony Underwood represented England’s Rugby Union team 27 times during the 1990s, playing alongside his brother Rory. His try against Australia in the 1995 Rugby World Cup quarter-final is considered one of the greatest of all time. In the following match, however, Tony was thoroughly humbled by New Zealand’s Jonah Lomu. The All Blacks winger famously ran rings around him in their iconic semi-final encounter, which saw England knocked out of the competition.
In another compelling presentation, the audience this time enjoyed a journey through the highs and lows of Tony’s rugby career. He offered profound insights into the power of emotional intelligence, teamwork, and the transformative impact of positive environments.
Speaking about that pivotal game against New Zealand in 1995, he confronts imposter syndrome head-on, showcasing how it can be a powerful tool if understood and harnessed properly. The lingering effects of self-doubt and mental scars, especially in a male-dominated and competitive environment, become a poignant theme, highlighting the need for vulnerability and support.
As he shared his experiences of playing for Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons, as well as his subsequent aviation career – Underwood qualified as a commercial pilot in 2000 – the emphasis on elite performance rooted in love and affection becomes a guiding principle. He advocates for a growth mindset and a ‘just’ culture, encouraging learning from mistakes rather than placing blame.
Underwood’s commitment to giving back is evident in his role as an ambassador for the Newcastle Rugby Foundation. He addresses prevalent self-doubt, especially among young people in the North East. The importance of a growth mindset, confident humility, and a supportive environment is stressed in personal and collective development.
In his concluding remarks, Underwood urges the audience to contribute to creating a more empathetic and compassionate world. He called for a hiring ‘mindset shift’ towards prioritising character over qualifications, as well as emphasising the transformative power of kindness and civility.
His story is an inspiring call to action, encouraging all to play a role in building a more supportive and empathetic society.
Empowering Futures
To conclude the event, the spotlight shone on the transformative impact of the Rugby + Futures program. The Newcastle Rugby Foundation, actively involved in community work for nearly two decades, prioritises well-being, mental health, and social value through various projects. Rugby + Futures addresses the emotional intelligence education gap in communities, especially for young people.
The audience heard from four of the program’s stars (Reece, Lauren, Sarah and Calvin), who shared their personal journeys. Each illustrated how Rugby + Futures has helped pull them out of challenging circumstances, build confidence, and paved the way for new opportunities.
Reece’s story, leaving school without qualifications and grappling with personal loss, demonstrated the program’s power in offering crucial support and fostering personal growth. Lauren, once shy and hesitant, revealed how it has boosted her confidence and expanded her horizons, leading to a paid role on match days. Sarah, with only one GCSE, transformed her life through Rugby + Futures, finding a passion for working with children and securing a full-time job as a teaching support assistant. Calvin, through volunteer work on match days, gained confidence and improved communication skills, showcasing the positive impact of practical experience.
Head of Newcastle Rugby Foundation, Mel McGee, proudly highlighted the achievements of these young individuals and invited businesses to support the program, whether through work experience, apprenticeships, mentorship, or financial contributions. Echoing Tony Underwood’s remarks, the participants challenged the traditional emphasis on qualifications, urging a broader perspective that values practical experience, dedication, and passion.
Mel concluded the presentation by expressing gratitude and optimism for the project’s future, emphasising the need for continued support from the community and businesses.
How you can benefit from attending Nigel Wright's events
We've received lots of positive feedback from people who attended this event, which demonstrates first-hand how you can benefit from attending our events.
"I had an excellent morning attending a Business Leaders breakfast, hosted by Nigel Wright Group. The stories shared by the three speakers, Chris Cook, Lysa Morrison MBA and Tony Underwood were incredibly honest and inspiring. Often in the course of the day to day, empathy can be missed in favour of performance. Bringing the two together, can infact deliver way better outcomes for everyone. Thank you for the invitation." — Head of People & Experience Consumer Goods Business
"I just wanted to say thanks for inviting me you the Business Leaders Event. It was so good, so inspiring. Unforgettable!" — HR Director FTSE Property Business
"It was the best event I’ve attended in a long while. Thanks to all involved." — Finance Director Building Products Industry
"It's the first time I had been to an event like this and found it really insightful, I very much enjoyed all 3 presentations." — HR Advisor, Global Engineering Business
About Nigel Wright
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