Prof Clive Smallman PhD

Clive Smallman aspires to bring out greatness in others.

Over the past 30 years or so, he’s spent his professional life mentoring, coaching, training, teaching or attempting to lead people in business and education, as well as researching and writing about their behaviours. A large number of his past and present clients are owners and leaders (or aspiring leaders at least). How many? Clive doesn’t know, but he guesses it’s in the thousands, including several hundred ‘deep-dive’ projects covering a range of strategic or operational issues in manufacturing and service delivery, from selling barbecues in Canada to establishing the world’s first online pharmaceutical marketplace in Europe.

After years of struggling with his own demons, Clive adopts a compassionate approach to those he works with, his family and friends. In the past, he was quick to judge, but he has increasingly embraced life for what it is, and carefully chooses how he reacts to what it presents to him (at least most of the time). He remains a work in progress, but then so do we all.

The tipping point for Clive came as he left full-time employment after 33 years and joined Thought Leaders Business School, following the leadership of Matt Church. The decision to let go of a successful, well-paid career was difficult. However, the ongoing opportunities for growth, doing work Clive loves, with people he likes the way he wants demonstrates the power of living in the here and now.

Clive loathes hubris, far preferring the opportunity to celebrate the achievement of others, not least those he works with. His mantra reflected above is that everyone should take responsibility for what happens to them. Anger has no place in a civilised, affluent society.

Fear grows out of ignorance and is magnified by dogma. None of these concepts has a place in the mind of the successful.

Clive is neatly summarised by his signature strengths: filial love for colleagues, family and friends; love of learning; honesty; humour; and bravery.

To see a little of how he thinks and works go to www.clivesmallman.com