Margie Warrell, Keynote Speaker, Leadership Advisor, Bestselling Author, Global Courage
Dr Margie Warrell is a global authority on courage who has walked her 'live brave' talk countless times since growing up, the big sister of seven on a dairy farm in rural Australia. The first in her family to attend college, Margie has since lived in multiple countries, including Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and only recently returned to live in the United States.
Margie pairs a global perspective with her diverse background in psychology, coaching, and Fortune 500 business to unlock the potential that fear holds captive – in individuals and organizations alike.
Trusted by organizations such as Salesforce, NASA, Dell, Morgan Stanley and United Nations Foundation to deliver transformative programs that foster courage, creativity and collaboration.
The titles of her five bestselling books: Stop Playing Safe, Find Your Courage, Make Your Mark, Brave and You've Got This! - reflect her passion for helping people overcome timidity, step into their brilliance and lead more purposeful lives with greater impact.
Margie loves adventure travel and hiking in beautiful places, most recently climbing Mt Kilimanjaro with her husband and their four children. However, Margie's insights for helping people live and lead with more courage, less fear have been more relevant or required.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
LinkedIn - because it's where the most intelligent and substantive conversations occur.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
Equipping leaders and purpose drive entrepreneurs and change agents to seize the opportunities born from this period of rapid change and disruption.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I get to contribute my strengths and global experience in ways that make a meaningful difference.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Trust your unique strengths and run your own best race.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
Seeing people step into their power and potential and become a greater force for good in whatever sphere they operate.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
Raising four awesome kids with my husband of 28 years.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
In-person, wherever possible!
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Social intelligence and strong interpersonal skills, being attuned to the emotions of those around me, their fears, concerns and desires.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
That I had no reason to doubt myself.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Dorie Clark, Adam Grant, David Brooks... they are smart, intelligent purpose-driven people.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Two things - travel and people. I love adventure travel and hiking in beautiful places. But, I also love simply sitting around - a dinner table or fire pit - with thoughtful people talking about the big issues of our time and what we can do to influence change in more impactful ways.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
It took a hit initially, but the normalization of virtual programs and presentations ultimately provides me with more opportunities to empower people across the world.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes and yes - I've had many people act as informal mentors, and I've also been a mentor - formally and informally for many people. However, I think it's important not to define a mentor too rigidly.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Seek advice and look outside your own lane for best practice examples, but then focus on finding the intersection of your unique gifts, passion and opportunity to add value. In other words, think broadly, but then ditch comparisons and focus on contributing maximum value to whatever 'market' or group of people you feel called to serve in your own unique way.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Not being adequately anchored to their purpose, passion and unique value.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
We fail more from timidity than over daring.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
In this period of history where AI and technology are so pervasive, focusing on the human element in our organizations is vital. That's why I think Korn Ferry is getting it right.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is having the courage to work diligently toward meaningful goals that help others live better, not just yourself. The good news is that this is something totally within our control. So, rather than getting caught up by short term wins and losses, play the long game; and show up each day in ways that your' future self' would be proud of. So, roll your sleeves up, defy your self-doubts and never stop learning because life will never stop giving you lessons.