Valinor

I had taken on greater responsibility in my role so wanted external counsel to talk through my leadership approach. I was initially hesitant about my ability to open up, but I quickly found myself at ease with Richard. He challenged my thinking, helped me reframe situations, and lifted me up. The answers are always within us but it takes real talent to help pull them out. Richard gave me the tools to equip me for my next level of responsibility: I now feel ready for my next big challenge! I would definitely recommend this process to anyone looking to raise their game and think bigger.

Richard has the great ability to see through the noise and distortion around a problem and pick out the signal that's hiding underneath. He zeros in very quickly on the heart of an issue and points out what levers can be moved to change things.

Rivendell is a really fulfilling experience. I've done quite a few different professional development events, but the thing that really stood out to me here is the intermingling of personal and professional development. I have a notebook full of new ideas! The calibre of the other participants has been humbling and it feels like a privilege to really be among such an esteemed group of people and peers.

Working with Richard has changed my perspectives, given me challenge, and been a lot of fun. Most of all, my thought process on the journey that I am on—and that we are on—is crisper, cleaner, and more ambitious than ever before. If you're on a journey with a destination that you believe is transformative for your industry, sector or yourself, you’ll come out with a clarity of thought and energy that will be magnified.

As a co-Founder and CEO, I've experienced many shifts since my executive team and I started working with Richard. For example, I've become better at coaching my team and we've become better at avoiding procrastination when it comes to complex and ambiguous initiatives.

I see three distinctive benefits of working with Richard. Firstly, his strong business acumen means that we very quickly zoom in on the key issues. Secondly, the Xquadrant toolbox is very practical and simple and helps accelerate decisions or make management decisions. And thirdly, there's a real focus to move beyond 'an interesting or inspiring conversation' and create real, lasting change.

It was fantastic to get the input of other highly experienced leaders, and I learned a lot about myself through the process. Rivendell is a safe space where you can be honest and open about the issues you're facing. It gave me the opportunity to question my values and motivations, and learn how to approach situations in a more strategic, powerful way.

Rivendell has helped me in two big ways. I’m able to get qualified input from experienced people on my toughest business challenges. And it's has pushed me to get a much clearer picture on my strategy and my goals. I've had so many practical insights about my business, to solve specific problems that I can't discuss with with many people. And I've got a much clearer picture on my strategy and my goals. I would recommend Rivendell to senior leaders who want to make 10X impact instead of incremental impact.

When I started working with Richard I was 12 months into a new role, and yet still having to deliver on many aspects of my old role, which was extremely stressful. Having someone with experience and the ability to advise and support me as I've changed my approach has been really, really positive for me.

Since my work with Xquadrant, there's now a better engagement both at senior peer level and within my team, leading to greater visibility and impact across the organisation. Moreover I've removed a lot of the stress factors. I'd recommend Xquadrant to any leader who's reached a senior level and thinks that they're not being as effective as they could be. 

If you've got a spark of curiosity, and you want to learn, and you're open minded enough to put yourself in an environment where you're exposed to those new opportunities, then Rivendell is ideal for you. It's a very safe environment to experience those "eureka" moments. I've enjoyed engaging with other business leaders, learning from them and helping them develop... and being coached by Richard throughout. And I've found some significant business development opportunities in speaking with other members!

Rivendell has really opened my eyes to what is truly possible for the business, and now my team and I are in execution mode delivering on that.

My time with Richard for the Leadership Intensive was immensely helpful and insightful. I learned about my tendencies in high stress situations, how to be more liberating in my leadership and how to observe patterns of my behaviour that need work. I’m confident that you will find it equally insightful as well!

When I approached Xquadrant I had just hired a CEO and was looking to make sure that his relationships with the board and with me were as productive as possible. Richard introduced me to ideas and frameworks that were very helpful and enabled me to grow and improve as a business owner and leader. I would definitely recommend Xquadrant to leaders who want to improve their effectiveness and obtain honest feedback.

I have been in a director role for many years, but very much had tunnel vision in my role. I wanted to step up and out of my comfort zone, but I struggled with self belief, and how anything would have an impact.

Over the last 6 months we have worked together to assess my skills and where I can make a bigger impact as a business leader instead of a craft leader. This has had a direct impact on my recent promotion to the Executive Team, where I now feel I a real trusted peer.

I cannot recommend working with Richard enough! If you've reached a senior position, but are struggling to take the next step to Exec level, working with Xquadrant could really be the answer.

I was looking for a coach who could provide strategic guidance to help me take the business to the next level as well as a coach who could help me grow as a leader and person. It was clear Richard could do both excellently. Given Richard's background the progress we've made on the business does not surprise me. What I didn't expect, and am very happy about, are the personal breakthroughs I've made. I'd recommend Richard to a CEO/entrepreneur who is willing to go deep, not afraid of change, and likes to be challenged in their thinking.

I have found the Rivendell experience to be incredibly valuable to help me reflect on who I am as a leader and how I can improve the use of my skills and capabilities, and it's given me the opportunity to interface with other CEOs. We've had a fabulous time sharing experiences with each other, and I'm learning a tremendous amount, not only from Richard but also through the individuals in the Rivendell program. There’s a level of depth that frankly I haven't gotten in any other program that I've been involved in. 

Working with Richard has been inspiring—he has a gift for drawing out valuable insights and helping leaders see long-term. I’ve come away with a totally different approach to operating in my business, thanks to the exercises he led and his ability to create a deep and meaningful space for transformation.

I cannot recommend Richard highly enough! His vast experience, consistent availability, and profound wisdom have been pivotal. Richard has helped me become more courageous and more able to venture into new strategies that have helped me lead much more powerfully. Richard's coaching has been a transformative experience, and I am deeply grateful for his influence on my entrepreneurial journey.

An unbelievable gathering of peers (founders and CEOs). Thanks to the guidance, the methodology and Richard's creativity, we went deep and addressed our common challenges. I strongly recommend Rivendell to any CEO who wants to become a better leader for their team and their family.

Rivendell has really helped me sharpen what I think is our distinctive value proposition. It's energised me to think about the coming months as we're looking at our growth plans. It's rare to get to speak in an in a way that's off the record, professional, but also very collaborative with executives who've led a variety of businesses, and to be able to work through challenges that are not easy to voice in other contexts.

Initially I wondered how I could contribute to such an advanced group. However, it's been a transformative experience that far exceeded my expectations... an extraordinary opportunity to engage with CEOs at the pinnacle of their respective fields and committed to making a positive global impact. The beautiful retreat location was the perfect backdrop for reflection and breakthrough thinking. Rivendell has been pivotal in reshaping my leadership and has profoundly influenced my thoughts on amplifying my impact. I'd recommend it to any CEO who is eager to explore new ways of leading. It’s a life-changing opportunity to connect, grow, and reset the bar.

I recommend Rivendell for leaders who are conscious, thoughtful and want to do something big and important in this world. It gave me the breathing room I needed to contemplate the future, clarify my mission, and get clear on my purpose. With Richard's guidance and the group support I’ve created new strategies for achieving my objectives.

With Richard's help I'm now focusing much more on strategic subjects. I'm much better at saying 'no', having reduced my people-pleasing tendencies, and I'm crystal clear on how I can contribute at the highest possible level.

Last week at the retreat with Rivendell I got really a clear path to massively impact the work that we've been doing. We've been implementing changes even this week and can already see seven digits worth of value being added to the business from some decisions that came out of that time away.

The biggest benefit of the coaching programme is that the sessions have helped me think bigger and bolder in how I approach my role and interact with others. There have been many more tactical learnings, which I can use day to day, in terms of being a more effective leader, but this would be the biggest overall benefit.

Richard challenged me to really get out of my comfort zone, think long and hard about what gets in my way, and focus on what I really should be doing—driving growth, ambition, and the future direction of the organisation. This work has given me the energy, drive, and ambition to come away to actually deliver on the promises you make to yourself as a leader.

Since working with Richard, I’ve gained clarity, a strategic plan, and a clear description of the attitude needed to succeed. He helped me bring together all the different pieces into a long-term vision and identify key opportunities for growth. Highly recommended for any top leader approaching an important moment in their professional journey or facing some significant decisions within their organisation.

The recent Rivendell retreat has been the most exciting two days of my life: I've gained so much self insight, as well as insight from others who've gone through similar things to me. Thanks to the coaching from Richard, it has been a tremendously, tremendously positive and exciting experience. What I've experienced [in Rivendell] is another league compared with programmes I've experienced before.

I would recommend Richard's coaching to anyone in a position of management and/or leadership, especially in high growth, when orchestrating and nurturing the efforts of a team is crucial to its success and sets the foundation of a long-lasting culture.