Descending Everest: Why the Inner Journey is Essential for Authentic Leadership
/in Articles by David Irvine, Authenticity, Business Advisor Growth Intensive, DavidIrvine, The Leaders Navigator, The Other Everest/by David IrvineThis summer I had the privilege of being a guest faculty at Gravitas Impact’s Business Advisor Growth Intensive in Vancouver, Washington. Gravitas Impact is a global community of premium coaches where experienced professionals sharpen their craft, expand their practice, and build lasting client impact. Keith Cupp, the founder, is committed to help coaches rise past the level of a trusted advisor […]
Resilient Leadership: Fostering Mental Toughness on Your Team
/in Authentic Leadership, Resilience, The Leaders Navigator/by David IrvineA resilient team is not one that never feels pressure; it is one that learns how to be honest and stay steady when pressure arrives. Strong leaders build that steadiness by creating a culture of trust, reflection, and practical support, rather than expecting people to simply “tough it out”. Not long ago, I worked with […]
Masks and Mindfulness: The Path to Authentic Living
/in Articles by David Irvine, Authentic Leadership, Authenticity, DavidIrvine, Leadership, MensShed, Self Awareness, Self Development, Unmasking/by David IrvineNow I become myself. It’s taken time, many years and places, I’ve been dissolved and shaken, Worn other people’s faces… – May Sarton For the past year I’ve been a part of the Men’s Shed – a community-based, non-profit organization that provides a safe, supportive, and inclusive workshop space for men. We support men to […]
Granting Grace in a Reactive World
/in Acceptance, Articles by David Irvine, Attitude, Authentic Leadership, Authenticity, Caring, DavidIrvine, Grace, Inspiration/by David IrvineIn today’s fast-paced, uncertain, high-stakes environment, emotions are running hotter than ever. The smallest trigger – a delayed email, a differing opinion – can ignite impatience and reactivity, turning colleagues, teams, and communities into emotional powder kegs. Whether you’re in customer service, leading or working in teams, you’re on the front lines of this tension, […]
Cultivating Trust: The Invisible Foundation of Thriving Communities and Organizations
/in Articles by David Irvine, Authentic Leadership, Authenticity, DavidIrvine, Trust/by David IrvineThe tightness in my chest began long before we reached the cave entrance in the Wasatch Mountains in Utah. The word claustrophobia – a condition I had struggled with all my life – was clamoring in my head. Yet there I stood, about to descend into the darkness, with my daughters at my side. I […]
Authenticity: The Uncomfortable Truth About Being Real
/in Articles by David Irvine, Authentic Leadership, Authenticity, DavidIrvine, Leadership/by David IrvineThat which we are most capable of teaching to others is what we are most in need of developing within ourselves. Since downsizing last year and letting go of our beautiful acreage, we have moved into a world with less financial stress and more simplicity and freedom. The past eighteen months have been a mix […]
Authentic Leadership 2026: Leading with Courage, Connection and Core Values in an AI World
/in Articles by David Irvine, Artificial Intelligence, Authentic Leadership, Authenticity, DavidIrvine, Inspiration, Leadership, Self-Reflection/by David IrvineAI is now part of everyday life for most of us. My daughter just bought an AI-powered washing machine that has sensors and algorithms to detect fabric types, load weight, soil levels, and softness, then automatically adjusts water usage, detergent amounts, cycle times, and temperatures for optimal cleaning. AI is an intriguing development and can […]
Men’s Saturday Circle
/in Articles by David Irvine, Authentic Leadership, Authenticity, DavidIrvine, Heros, Inspiration, Life In Transition, The Hero's Journey, The Leaders Navigator, transformations, transitions/by David IrvineAs part of Men’s Shed Cochrane, every Saturday morning, a group of us meet. The group is turning into a true community that gives men a safe space to talk openly about our well-being and mental health. It’s not about fixing everything. It’s about listening, sharing experiences, and realizing you’re not alone. These conversations help […]
Life in Transition: Facing Adversity Through the Hero’s Journey
/in Articles by David Irvine, Authentic Leadership, Authenticity, DavidIrvine, Heros, Inspiration, Life In Transition, The Hero's Journey, The Leaders Navigator, transformations, transitions/by David IrvineMidway on our life’s journey, I found myself In dark woods, the right road lost… – From THE INFERNO OF DANTE, Robert Pinsky, trans. When Barry’s life shifted overnight—a downsized job, the sudden, unexpected end of a twenty-five year marriage, a son being admitted to a treatment centre for addiction (all within a period of […]
Lenny and I continue to walk together every morning.
/in Articles by David Irvine, DavidIrvine/by David IrvineLenny and I continue to walk together every morning. He’s aging. Like so many of us, he’s struggling with his hips and joints. His muscle mass is decreasing. He walks more s-l-o-w-l-y. We don’t go as far as we used to. As a constant companion, he reminds me that the aging process is a persistent […]












