09/10/2025 By David Rigby

The right not to have an opinion

A better option for coaches

Sometimes it essential to have an opinion. Often you don’t need an opinion and that’s OK. If you are a professional coach you need to be able to coach people whose opinions and values differ from yours, so better you are open-minded.
There are many topics for which I don’t have an opinion. Often because I recognise I don’t have enough information to make one and I am not interested enough to find out. There are other topics, such as Gaza, where I have an opinion which seems to stand up, for which I know I only have selected ‘facts’.
This seems to contradict current life where everyone has an opinion on everything whether they know anything or not. And the ‘if you don’t agree with me then you are out’ is the next step .

So here is a list where I don’t know enough to have information to form an opinion

Trans women using women’s toilets. Trans men using men’s toilets. I know several trans people who have had the bravery and the trauma of transitioning. It takes a lot of courage to transition. Most transition to become who they really are. Is it such an afront to non-trans people to see a trans person in a toilet and how would you know. And what other options do they have? There are not enough statistics to prove their presence is dangerous but there is a lot of hysteria.
By removing all the immigrants there will be no people to do the jobs the indigenous people wont do – such as looking after old people and care in general. And regarding immigrants as cheap labour. Though it’s a disgrace on society that someone’s race determines how much they earn. It will of course mean that the people who want looking after will have to pay a lot more than they are doing now and many people wont get the support they need. And with the population imbalance there will not be enough taxes collected from younger people to support the aging population so retirement age will have to increase by a lot more. However removing all the immigrants will allow the retention of traditional culture – whatever that was . In the UK that will require returning to eating the traditional terrible English food. Not going to the Indian restaurant after a few pints, or having food delivered because there will be no-one to cook it or deliver it. It might mean more traditional Fish & Chip shops if anyone could afford to go to them.

No white people allowed? *Is this coming again ?*

*proper inclusive signage – in a Madrid University*

*Should people this old be allowed to vote ? Who is there to look after her in old age ? The kids (if any) won’t* and there won’t be anyone else to

There is a case for banning all people over 65 from voting in elections as they are very-short term minded, thinking of only themselves and not the long term as they wont be there. Best example is Brexit – where many people had opinions based on no information. Whereas 16-17 years olds are at least voting for their future. There is also a good case for making all politicians and leaders retire at 65 too!

LGB alliance (without the T) claim that they would not want trans-women in Lesbian groups because trans-women are men. In many ways it’s the same argument about having non-whites in traditionally all white clubs and having women in men only clubs. Why any of the excluded would want to join these narrow minded and bigoted groups I don’t know unless it’s to prove a point. Women only groups are the same thing

It is a fact, proven by McKinsey over and over again that diverse teams get better results. Teams which are ALL of cognitively, racially, culturally, generationally, neuro, gender and sexually diverse may take longer to get to conclusions but the results will be better. But those who don’t want to embrace this fact still believe that ‘people like us’ are the only ones we should listen to. Those who are not indigenous or went to the right school still have to be better qualified to do the same job for lower pay. But compare that to ‘would I travel in a plane with a black pilot’ because he was brought in under a quota which balanced his lack of opportunity and most likely better qualified .

What benefit to I have from this?

These few examples illustrate where I observe what is going on but don’t have the time or inclination to investigate further. I also don’t go to bars to join a group watching football to voice my opinions about footballers, where, though I may have less knowledge than the punters, I severely question the knowledge of those punters when they complain about the referee. But I am not expressing that opinion in front of them as I don’t have the knowledge to justify my opinion. It’s also boring.

And as a coach, having an open mind will enable you to cope better when your client has strong views about something you know about but can straddle the fence.

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.

Generational Diversity: Badly behaving Boomers – the naked truth

Why the over-60s are the wildest generation

This is from an article published by, presumably a youngster, at the Daily Telegraph.

“There was something extraordinary about the protest in Parliament Square in support of the terrorist group Palestine Action earlier this month: half of the people arrested were aged 60 or above. Almost 100 of them were in their 70s. As well as risking arrest, baby boomers are drinking more alcohol than any other age group and having more unsafe sex. What happened to knitting, gardening and Midsomer Murders, asks Melissa Twigg.”

I am not prepared to pay the highly biased Telegraph to read more.

There are people I know who have shifted from unsafe sex (without fear or pregnancy) to staying at home painting. Perhaps because they are no long up for it .
They can stick to their principles without losing their jobs – hence the protests and good for them.

Personally I don’t know anyone who does knitting, gardening or watches Midsomer Murders. Having sex and drinking a lot is much better exercise. Maybe I am not yet old enough,

Official Naturist Beach near Benidorm, Spain. Taken over by clothed youngsters. Defended by boomers

Destruction of the naturist beaches

In the 1960s in Benidorm the local women protested to Franco that the local mayor wanted to allow women to wear bikinis in the beach but Franco allowed the bikinis. That is why there is a huge iron cross on the hills outside of Benidorm to remember what the local women tried to do, The women who fought for the right to wear bikinis were Boomers,

In Spain at least, youngsters, being the new puritans, are avidly destroying the fought for and registered Naturist Beaches by invading them and keeping their clothes on. It’s up to the boomers to keep up the tradition and remain naked.

Dirty Chai Latte and Matcha Tea

Being in Spain we have wine with meals and wine and beer and coffee in cafes. I was asked by a youngster why I drink wine and beer and it’s because it’s cheaper than most other drinks and drinks like Coke and Fanta are poison in a bottle. I hardly drink cocktails and spirits as Spanish measures are lethal.

There is a 45 year age difference between the youngest and oldest SCT associate. See what we say about generational diversity here.

This the last of the more trivial topics for the summer break. Back to the more serious topics next time.

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

11/08/2025 By David Rigby

That’s not allowed – going Dutch with the experts

Intercultural experiences in Netherlands

That is not allowed” were the first words from the waiter in Scheveningen, The Hague Netherlands when I asked to exchange Potato Salad for Chips with my Schnitzel, so I conceded. My first experience of Dutch restaurant culture. Made all the sweeter when he returned form the kitchen saying “We don’t have potato salad, would you be OK with chips ? “

I hope you like sandwiches (and raw herring)

My impressions were not improved when the only food on offer in my first restaurant in Utrecht was a choice of three sandwiches. OK but very expensive.

In Amsterdam I survived the ‘can you eat proper Dutch food ‘ with the Raw Herring test. It was good – followed by another lunch where only sandwiches were on offer and no red wine . You have to have good teeth for these.

Another restaurant, this time in Amsterdam South, late dinner at 7.30. We get told : “We have run out of chicken”, “Can I have the menu of the day?- No”.” Can I have a burger?” No – I told you we have run out of chicken (no mention that the burger is chicken anywhere in the menu). OK I’ll have the veggie burger “Does it come with fries/chips” Yes – but we don’t have any (and no alternatives offered) and so it went on ! And it was terrible.

Three pints of Guinness later…

The Indonesian Restaurant was good in Leiden but then it was after three pints of Guinness with my Irish friend. The Curry in Scheveningen was competent, and so were the Dutch Pancakes in Amsterdam.

*August in Sheveningan Den Haag – Mussels by the fire*

*Dutch “can you eat raw herring?” test and typical lunch*

*The exceptional Walter Benedict restaurant in Den Haag*

I mention the name of the restaurant, Walter Benedict, in Den Haag as it was, exceptionally, an exceptional restaurant/café. Superb food, service and ambience. But then at 45 Euros a head for two courses and no alcohol it ought to have been.
On the final night we braved the cold and lashing rain to have Mussels in a seaside café in Scheveningen. They had their individual gas fires in the middle of each table – after all it’s August !

What have I learnt from this?

What have I learnt from this? I went to each of these restaurants with someone local who, in theory, knows what they are doing. Those Dutch stereotypes about timeliness and cuisine are absolutely right and everything shuts at 9.30 or 10. I was also right to go out with 5 layers of clothes. I live in Spain where having wine or perhaps beer with lunch or dinner (at 10p.m.) is absolutely normal – everyone thought I was an alcoholic. July/August may be the best time to visit Netherlands but I was pleased to be back in Madrid at 38 degrees. Nevertheless the Netherlands experience, spending time with old friends, recent friends and making new ones made the experience a great one!

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

10/04/2025 By David Rigby

Diverse teams generate fewer usable ideas

‘Diverse expertise is great if the goal is innovative ‘out of the box’ ideas, but if you need timely, usable ideas, you may want a more focused, uniform team’

‘Diverse expertise is great if the goal is innovative ‘out of the box’ ideas, but if you need timely, usable ideas, you may want a more focused, uniform team’” posted in WORK journal, one of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s publications. Is this one of the reasons UK is so behind in innovation and productivity ?

Brain Scanning – to see if there is any activity?

They used brain-scanning techniques to measure how people actually responded during team collaboration and found that teams with different skills and perspectives do come up with more original ideas, but they also ‘face friction when trying to turn those ideas into practical implementable solutions’. Interesting – of course – but if you get people who all think the same way then you get all the wrong decisions made faster.. This is about diversity of thinking but equally applies to all the other ‘Diversities’.

Stupid ideas so much faster

We have seen what happens when the male pale and stale brigade( and also straight and Catholic) govern a country. Stupid ideas so much faster. The saving grace is that if everyone else continues down the Diversity route they will be out flanked at every level. And, as we already see, their international influence is all but destroyed in a matter of weeks, which has to be a good thing…

*Smart Coaching & Training Team meeting in Barcelona with – David Rigby* , Jessica Breitenfeld, Alba Hincapié, Ian Gibbs, and special guest from Oxford UK, interculturalist Patti McCarthy

*Inclusive teams thrive – but not according to CIPD*

*Professional Speakers Association PRODAY in Barcelona (see below)*

“Diverse teams generate fewer usable ideas” .say CIPD. If you continue doing what you always did then don’t be surprised if you always get the same results. HR are notoriously conservative and generally perceived as ‘only wishing to ensure that the current laws are upheld’ Diversity by tickbox .

McKinsey and Inclusion

On the other hand McKinsey et al demonstrate over and over again that Diverse teams are the best ways to increase sales and profits. This only works when diverse components are ‘Included’. Celebrating the differences and having an open mind helps . people having to code switch when they come to work – language and accent – doesn’t help and it means those who do are also having to focus on ‘behaving’ rather than contributing.

British Leaders, CIPD management , Innovation and Disruption

With British leaders , and no doubt those in the CIPD management, still being brainwashed that only those with the right accent and who went to the right school, and therefore are risk averse and unable to manage their emotions, as they are the only ones whose opinions count we will not see the progress that true disruption enables.

Professional Speakers Association (Spain) – PRODAYS – Madrid 28 June , Barcelona 29 March

The pictures below and above are from the Professional Speakers Association PRODAY in Barcelona I am pleased to be organising the next one in MADRID on Saturday June 28th. why not come and speak? Ask me

*Professional Speakers Association Proday- Vice President Oliver Watson and President Marta Pardo*

Smart Coaching & Training works with 28 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

Speaking

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

03/02/2025 By David Rigby

Do you want to get to the top of the speaking business?

Imagine you are sitting the audience of the events hosted by Smart Coaching & Training Ltd Associates’ Jessica Breitenfeld and Alba Lucia Hincapié on February 15. What can you expect to see and learn ?

Speakers Luisa Montalvo, Darren Lacroix and Mark Brown are all Toastmasters’ World Champions of Public Speaking.

Pictured: David, Jessica and Alba *Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/american-society-of-barcelona-1706033218 and https://forms.gle/kFRrVfkGFQM5M2Ua6*

What is Toastmasters ?

Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. Founded in 1924, the organization has approximately 270,000 members in more than 14,000 clubs in 150 countries.
Why are Jessica and Alba hosting these events? Jessica Breitenfeld , Alba Lucia Hincapié and SCT’s Clair Aghassipour and Caroline Dream are Europe’s Top female speaker, División champion of evaluation of speeches, European Champion, District Champion. They know how difficult it is to become a world champion, competing and winning through club, district, country, area and finally world competitions. And before that going through all the stages of the Toastmasters learning methodology before they are even allowed to compete. And all three presenters are prepared to show how they did it.

So you are going to learn some of the tricks or skills they learnt to get to the top.

All this sounds very academic, and in a way it is. But also remember these are public speaking champions and so they are also experts at entertaining and motivating the audience.
You can join Toastmasters just with a desire to learn to speak in public and the members will support you all the way to the top. You can do all the exams or just go along to polish your skills or just to support others. Many clubs are bi-lingual, so you can join a club which speaks in the language you are learning and become confident enough to present on stage in another language. Smart Coaching & Training’s founder David Rigby has done that with his Spanish.

Professional Speakers Association

The Professional Speakers Association is another way of developing yourself as speaker. In this organisation there is opportunity to develop your speaking business. There are many different national organisations, some of which belong to the worldwide organisation. Being a member of the PSA is a chance to mingle with and befriend people who make a good living public speaking.

Smart Coaching & Training associates Ian Gibbs and Caroline Dream created the Professional Speakers Association in Spain which now operates in both English and Spanish.

The Toastmasters methodology and membership of Professional Speakers Association does not guarantee you will earn a fortune as a professional speaker As PSA Spain says “Not Everyone wants to be a professional speaker but everyone needs to speak professionally “.

*Women’s Retreat Hosted by Jessica Breitenfeld*

*PSA President Marta Pardoe with Global Speakers President Rub Newell-Legner and Past President Tulia Lopes*

Smart Coaching & Training offers coaching from our champion associates and also has delivered training in public speaking in several countries. Some, like Ricardo Cabete are full time professional speakers. Of course our associates have delivered speeches at conferences and events throughout the world . See https://www.smartcoachingtraining.com/speak .
Do you want to learn some of the tricks to get to the top of the speaking business ? Get your tickets for the events Tickets: For Luisa https://www.eventbrite.com/o/american-society-of-barcelona-1706033218 and for Darren https://forms.gle/kFRrVfkGFQM5M2Ua6

Smart Coaching & Training works with 27 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

A better option for coaches

So here is a list where I don’t know enough to have information to form an opinion

What benefit to I have from this?

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.

Why the over-60s are the wildest generation

I am not prepared to pay the highly biased Telegraph to read more.

Destruction of the naturist beaches

Dirty Chai Latte and Matcha Tea

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.

Intercultural experiences in Netherlands

I hope you like sandwiches (and raw herring)

Three pints of Guinness later…

What have I learnt from this?

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.

‘Diverse expertise is great if the goal is innovative ‘out of the box’ ideas, but if you need timely, usable ideas, you may want a more focused, uniform team’

Brain Scanning – to see if there is any activity?

Stupid ideas so much faster

McKinsey and Inclusion

British Leaders, CIPD management , Innovation and Disruption

Professional Speakers Association (Spain) – PRODAYS – Madrid 28 June , Barcelona 29 March

Smart Coaching & Training works with 28 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

Speaking

Imagine you are sitting the audience of the events hosted by Smart Coaching & Training Ltd Associates’ Jessica Breitenfeld and Alba Lucia Hincapié on February 15. What can you expect to see and learn ?

Speakers Luisa Montalvo, Darren Lacroix and Mark Brown are all Toastmasters’ World Champions of Public Speaking.

What is Toastmasters ?

So you are going to learn some of the tricks or skills they learnt to get to the top.

Professional Speakers Association

Smart Coaching & Training works with 27 associates, in four continents speaking 14 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

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