12/01/2026 By David Rigby

Overwhelmed – what to give up to make space for the new ?

As Christmas approached I was beginning to be overwhelmed. For the previous six weeks I had deadlines every other day. And while I was achieving them the underlying fundamentals where not being done.

Attending conferences and doing podcasts was one thing, having a visitor who broke her ribs was another, and being organized enough to stay in three different places over the holiday period was another, particularly regarding laundry. And this being Spain the weather is likely to be relatively very cold but potentially sunny. Every day required military planning.

Standing back enough was the challenge to realise you are overwhelmed. It’s happened to me before during the Christmas period. And the holiday period lasts for almost three weeks in Spain. So I decided to do no work.

*Christmas Day English Sprouts Reyes (Jan6) Roscon*

So I decided to do no work

*Spanish Puchero and traditional Spanish New Years Eve Lamb*

Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) with friends from South America – and my Spanish had turned into Italian. I couldn’t remember English either.Next day I spent making half British half Spanish Christmas lunch, and had to work out of to cook five vegetables simultaneously. Had Noche Buena, Noche Viejo and Reyes Spanish style , all with friends and at the last moment and not very formal, And In between: I have a cubic metre of physical photos so I spent the gaps scanning the negatives of maybe 5000 photos – and the scanned files still need sorting.

On the work front there are tasks which I have been completely unable to do, such as writing this, posting on the media and maintaining the website. They have had to wait.

In 2025 I spent time seeing people in Italy and Netherlands I haven’t seen in years, and attending many international zoom event, as well as attending local events in person . The conclusion is that some of those will have to go. And I also recognise that others have decided that I have to go – I am OK with that.

I am listening to the ‘overwhelmed’ podcast from Claudia Hammond on BBC is great for recognising it’s not just you. Taking time out to reflect helped me recognise I was in survival mode. You need to step out if it before you recognise it. I will be organised, with the infrastructure in a better position, to start again, by February. Meanwhile I will sort those Photos, and see I can continue to give up what I told myself to . The space created may give me time to embrace AI and do everything more effectively . Who knows? What about you ?

Smart Coaching & Training works with over 30 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages. Most raised and working in a wide range of cultures and living in a different place than where they were born . See our associates here.

Many of our associates learned how to speak via Toastmasters and Professional Speakers Association Read more

Many of our associates are specialists in Diversity , Interculturality and related topics Read more here and here.

05/12/2025 By David Rigby

People and Purpose : Insights Beyond Borders Dec 18 Podcast with David Rigby

On the next podcast episode, December 18, David Rigby gets real about one of the challenges of HR. He highlights why true inclusion must go far beyond the ‘big five’ categories:
“What needs to be ramped up is inclusion, inclusion across different backgrounds, classes, educational aspirations. This is how you build a truly successful, diverse team,” says David.
Inclusion means everyone has a voice – and that voice matters. It shows in practice how people are treated every day. If you believe strong culture and human-centered leadership drive real performance, you’ll want to watch the full episode on LinkedIn Live, click on ‘Attend’ and mark your calendar now:🔔https://lnkd.in/dQSjHmwf

The Malaga Conferences

Just back from the Professional Speakers Association (Spain) Convention and the Diversity and Innovation Conference in Benalmadina Malaga. It was a pleasure to present at both.

” Enjoyed your session! You were absolutely in your element – dancing, singing and also educating us on being inclusive.” Remi Margaret Nwando Aiyela “I love how you bring your whole self to everything you do” Silvia Gutiérrez Gradillas “It so much passion for what you talk about, that’s for sure!!” Clair Boscq Professional Speakers Association Convention and Diversity & Innovation Conference Malaga November 2025

At PSA I talked about “Inclusion is the future”. with colleagues
Marta Pardo 🎤 🇪🇸 🇫🇷 🇺🇸 Alastair Greener FPSA Andrew Bryant, CSP JC Duran • Claire Boscq CSP , Customer eXperience Energizer Oliver Watson Rhythm • David Rigby • Eugene Seah • Grant ‘Upbeat’ Bosnick – Leadership Enabler, CSP • Michelle Mills-Porter The People Reader • Mike Handcock • Susana Serrano-Davey • Azadeh Yaraghi • Josie Pont- Female ChangeMakers Beth Sherman and hosted by Ben Ivey
At D&I I talked about Cognitive Diversity enabling Transculturality with The onsite speakers: include Fons Trompenaars, Anna Zelno, Barbara E. Prendota Silvia Gutiérrez Gradillas Magda Stega Piotr Pluta, Vince Stevenson Trainer of Trainers and Executive Speech Coach, Vincent MERK, Andy Pring ,Dr. Barbara Covarrubias Venegas and Alejandro Pastor
It was an honour to present with such luminaries and learn from them both content and style and add them to my friendsApart from a great excuse to spend a week in Malaga, I enjoy these conferences because it’s a chance to meet face-to-face all those people you have spoken to in Zoom as well as those you don’t know yet. And the way to get some new friends and maybe requested to do some work is to turn up. And it’s great fun too!

Smart Coaching & Training works with over 30 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages. Most raised and working in a wide range of cultures and living in a different place than where they were born . See our associates here.

Many of our associates learned how to speak via Toastmasters and Professional Speakers Association Read more

Many of our associates are specialists in Diversity , Interculturality and related topics Read more here and here.

29/10/2025 By David Rigby

Malaga: November Events: Diversity & Innovation and Professional Speakers Association

Conferences in Malaga

Join me, David Rigby, at these two events in Malaga in November

Diversity & Innovation Conference

Benalmádena Malaga November 20-22
See more details (and below) and reserve your place here

Professional Speakers Association (Spain) Convention

Malaga November 29
See more details (and below) and reserve your place here

Diversity & Innovation Conference

I am excited to join an incredible lineup of international speakers at the Diversity & Innovation Hybrid Conference in Benalmádena, Malaga on 21-22 November 2025, hosted by Diversity & Innovation Academy . I presented remotely at the previous one in Poland in May and I am pleased to be presenting in person this time.

I’ll be delivering a talk called, “Cognitive Inclusion: Building transculturality on individual communication strengths” About understanding the way you and others communicate is common regardless of culture, so it can be used to develop transculturality.

Our onsite speakers: Fons Trompenaars, Maya Middlemiss, Anna Zelno, Barbara E. Prendota, Anna Jakielaszek, Silvia Gutiérrez Gradillas, Magda Stega, Jacek Skyski S., Diana Bohorquez Ballesteros, Tabita Luis, Bernd Gibson, Piotr Pluta, Vince Stevenson Trainer of Trainers and Executive Speech Coach, Vincent MERK, Andy Pring, George Simons, Lina Klemkaite, Andrea Martínez Celis, PhD, David Rigby, Barbara Covarrubias Venegas, Kelly Cuesta, Alejandro Pastor Lara

The online speakers are: Mohamed El Amrani, Marta García-Valenzuela, Francisco Gallego, Evelien Verschroeven, Bjørn Z. Ekelund, Ridha Mejri, Frauke Lehmann, Dr. Michele Angeline V., Constantina Rokos, Livingstone Thompson, PhD, Aminata Soucko, Amy Mortensen, Jane Jihye Kim, Peter Mousaferiadis, Amna Ben Amara, Csaba Toth, Fathima Beckmann, Matthew Hill – Corporate Presentation Trainer, Mirka Molnar Lachka, George Simons, Ilaria Mundula 伊兰

See you there – on line or in person

PSA Spain Convention

*Building transculturality on individual communication strengths*

*with Fons Trompenaars – keynote speaker*

*Just a few of the speakers at the D&I conference*

PSA Spain Convention

I am excited to join an incredible lineup of international speakers at the Professional Speakers Association of Spain yearly conference in Málaga on November 29, 2025. Hosted by Professional Speakers Association of Spain , a proud member of the Global Speakers Federation, this event celebrates diversity, innovation, and leadership in the world of professional speaking.

I’ll be delivering a talk called, “Inclusion is the future”. A reminder to consider your audience, who will have different ways of thinking, different ways of learning, different cultures, different beliefs – all the things you cannot see just by looking at the audience. Who are you positively including in your speech and who have you have excluded because you never considered it ?

If you’re serious about the business of speaking, come see my talk, along with game-changing talks and workshops from:

Marta Pardo 🎤 🇪🇸 🇫🇷 🇺🇸 • Andrew Bryant, CSP • JC Duran • Claire Boscq , Customer eXperience Energizer • Oliver Watson Rhythm • David Rigby • Eugene Seah • Grant ‘Upbeat’ Bosnick – Leadership Enabler, CSP” • Michelle Mills-Porter The People Reader • Mike Handcock • Susana Serrano-Davey • Azadeh Yaraghi • Roger Soreque • Josie Pont- Female ChangeMakers and hosted by Beth Sherman

See you there!

Why am I going to these events ?

Apart from a great excuse to spend a week in Malaga, I enjoy these conferences because it’s a chance to meet face-to-face all those people you have spoken to in Zoom as well as those you don’t know yet. And the way to get some new friends and maybe requested to do some work is to turn up. And it’s great fun too!

Smart Coaching & Training works with over 30 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages. Most raised and working in a wide range of cultures and living in a different place than where they were born . See our associates here.

Many of our associates learned how to speak via Toastmasters and Professional Speakers Association Read more

Many of our associates are specialists in Diversity , Interculturality and related topics Read more here and here.

17/05/2021 By David Rigby

How your Profile affects your Self-actualisation

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Psychologist Abraham Maslow outlines what is known as a Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, representing all the various needs that motivate human behaviour. The hierarchy is often displayed as a pyramid, with the lowest levels representing basic needs and more complex needs located at the top of the pyramid. The five levels are Physiological Needs, Safety, Love/Belonging, Esteem, and finally, at the peak of this hierarchy is self-actualisation. The hierarchy suggests that when the other needs at the base of the pyramid have been met, you can then focus your attention on this pinnacle need of self-actualisation. In psychology, self-actualisation is achieved when you’re able to reach your full potential. Being truly self-actualised is considered the exception rather than the rule since most people are working to meet more pressing needs.

But how do you know when you have gotten there? Are you being true to yourself, no longer putting on an act to please others? Do different types of personality achieve self actualisation differently?

Jungian Profiling Tools

There are many profiling tools all based upon the work of Jung. All work on the premise that there are four types of personalities and everyone is a unique combination of all of them.

And they all use different terminology. In detail, all individuals can be classified into predominantly extrovert (active) or introvert (reflective/reactive);

*Childs Play 1 – Altea Alicante by David Rigby*

and also are predominantly logical (thinking/ task orientated) or emotional (feeling/intuitive/people orientated)). Everyone is a combination of all of these but some characteristics are more prevalent than others.

What self-actualisation might look like

What self-actualisation, your full potential, might look like if you are:

Extrovert/logical (Directive)
• Being up to the challenge: successful at all the projects you are undertaking and being in charge on your terms and being recognised for it
Extrovert/emotional (Inspiration)
• Having great relationships and lots of action with many people while being exactly who you are
Reflective/ emotional (Service)
• Everybody is OK in their own right and with you. They are collaborating with you, and everyone is OK with you being who you are, and you are safe.

*Childs Play 2 – Altea Alicante Photo by David Rigby*

Reflective/logical (Competence)
• Everything is in its place, everyone knows exactly what to do and what the steps are and actually follows them and are reliable.

We suport and supply a number of profiling tools and have knowledge of several more. Take a look at this video, which is the first of a series describing the fundamentals, and ask us for more detail.

05/03/2021 By David Rigby

Acknowledging your Mortality

Making it easier for others

I don’t know about you but I have become increasingly aware of my mortality particularly in recent months. Having survived the first lockdowns I am being much more affected by this round. In the first round I knew people who knew people who had had COVID or died of it. This time I actually know and work with people who have had it and also who have died of it. They were in full health one week, and dead two weeks later. So, I got round to thinking what would happen if it happened to me.

If you get ill and When you die

I thought I ought to put a note on my fridge about who to contact in case in emergency. Then I didn’t know who to put. So I thought I better get my act together – and find a representative to represent me, look after me and undertake my wishes.

If you are ill (this can include: suddenly hospitalised, chronically ill, no longer able to make decisions due to dementia etc) you will need to appoint someone to be your chosen representative with power of attorney for when you are incapacitated. They need the authority to access to your computer, bank, house. hospital, enact your living will and inform people. And make sure people know who it is. In each country the rules are different.

*Lifesize Monopoly – Mall of the Emirates, Dubai by David Rigby*

When you die (this can result from terminal illness, dropping dead or sudden death from, for example, a car accident) you will need an executor. The power of attorney ceases when you die. You will need the executor to bury you, enact your will, close your bank accounts, pass on your business, delete you social media. Your executor therefore needs to be told about your death, and others need to know who your executor is.

Choosing the right person

You need someone to have power of attorney, and you need someone to be executor. You will also need a way of having substitutes in case they are not able to act on your behalf. I already have one executor die – and he was 20 years younger than me. You will need their agreement and permission. People need to know who it is.

Hidden Snags

If, like me, you are not living in the country you were born, have no relatives, the country’s language is not yours and the law is in that language, and you haven’t been there that long, then you need to get everything in place as the defaults are unpalatable. You will need a ‘Last will and testament’. If you have assets in more than one country or reside in more than one country you will need more than one Will.

And finally – if you are a person with the power of attorney or executor make sure your papers are in order. I had power of attorney/executor for my father and I could not prove who I was at his bank as my passport had expired.

*Altea Cementerio – Photo by David Rigby*

Generally, when you die it is clear. When you are ill it is not so clear. Someone has to have the authority to decide. People think they are immortal, and would rather not think about it. And then suddenly…

Note: I am not an expert in this. But having set this up I reserve the right to be self righteous. Ask and I will give you more detail, however you should get professional advice.

Overwhelmed – what to give up to make space for the new ?

So I decided to do no work

Smart Coaching & Training works with over 30 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages. Most raised and working in a wide range of cultures and living in a different place than where they were born . See our associates here.

People and Purpose : Insights Beyond Borders Dec 18 Podcast with David Rigby

The Malaga Conferences

Smart Coaching & Training works with over 30 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages. Most raised and working in a wide range of cultures and living in a different place than where they were born . See our associates here.

Malaga: November Events: Diversity & Innovation and Professional Speakers Association

Conferences in Malaga

Diversity & Innovation Conference

Professional Speakers Association (Spain) Convention

Diversity & Innovation Conference

PSA Spain Convention

PSA Spain Convention

Why am I going to these events ?

Smart Coaching & Training works with over 30 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages. Most raised and working in a wide range of cultures and living in a different place than where they were born . See our associates here.

How your Profile affects your Self-actualisation

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Jungian Profiling Tools

What self-actualisation might look like

Acknowledging your Mortality

Making it easier for others

If you get ill and When you die

Choosing the right person

Hidden Snags

Contact Info

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