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28/10/2023 By David Rigby

Getting your fill of Interculturality

Getting your fill of Interculturality

Food and Interculturality.

Last week I thought I would go for some foreign food – so I found a cultural ghetto and chose some typical food of the ghetto. It always helps to be familiar with local ghetto food.

Mushy Peas ?

So I chose Fish & Chips with Mushy Peas accompanied by Tea with Milk. Where was I? Benidorm, Spain inside the English ghetto. Potato Chips (French Fries) made from real potatoes without emulsifiers etc, And most British wouldn’t know what Mushy Peas is.

Ghetto Restaurants

Most places in the world have cultural or food ghettos. What do you do if you are invited to a ghetto restaurant by a client from that country, or indeed elsewhere?
Forget the “I know what I like, I like what I know “ brigade. Your client is entertaining you and it’s incumbent on you to know what you are ordering and to eat it.

Ghetto Food in Spain: Fish Chips Mushy Peas Tea

Two Choices

Local Spanish food eaten by the author in the last month – you can’t order unless you know its name

You have two choices – either understand the menu and make your own choices or ask your host to choose. And in all cases take into account you or your host’s religious restrictions. Whatever you receive you better know the custom and eat all of it to show appreciation or leave a little or the host will order more on your behalf.

Building Intercultural Relationships through food

This is how good relationships are formed. And that can lead to business.  So what can you do to make this a success ?

  • Learn to understand the menus. This is crucial.  Spanish dishes have names from which you cannot tell the ingredients nor the way they are made. So do Philippine ones. I ordered enough for 6 in a Filipino restaurant in Dubai.
  • Learn how many dishes to order – the size of the portions.  In Europe: Starter – main course -desert – cheese.  (except in France where the cheese comes before the dessert).  In Spain they have Pinxos, tapas, Media Raciones, Raciones and that’s just for the starters or instead of a main course.  In Britain Spaghetti Bolognese is considered a main course, in Italy it isn’t. It’s what you eat before the main course. In Italy, as a guest I requested a second plate of  delicious home-made pasta, then had to eat two more main courses to not insult the chef.
  • Learn who you might or might not meet.  I was privileged to be invited to the home of one of my Pakistani clients.  While I never identified what the food was, it was delicious,. The chef, who was his wife, I never met because that is the custom.
  • Understand Cutlery. Some people eat with their right hand. Learn how to do it as you may not get an option.  Some people, likewise, eat with Chopsticks. Learn how to do it.  In Spain and Italy you get one knife and fork no matter how many courses (I went to an Italian dinner with 14 courses – I ate all of the first 7, some of the next three then fell asleep). In UK you get an array of cutlery learn what to use.  And use the fork in the left hand to put food in the mouth, Americans use a fork in the left hand to cut the food and then transfer the fork to the right hand to eat.

Just a few of the things to consider on the way to becoming interculturally competent while eating. Read more here

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

In conjunction with Professional Speakers Association (Spain) , SCT’s David Rigby will be present at the TEDx Marbella Spain event on June 9 focussing on Entrepreneurs

Written by David Rigby © 2023 Smart Coaching & Training Ltd

Filed Under: Being Confident, coaching, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Mentoring, Mindset, People Development, Personal Development, Training, Wellbeing Tagged With: clowninng, feeling, humour, innerclown, intuitive, keeping tradition, laughter, logical, performing, psychological safety, Smart Coaching & Training, thinking

31/07/2023 By David Rigby

Wake up and smell the coffee

Wake up and smell the coffee

by David Rigby

Introduction for Diversity Success WEBINAR Thursday 14 September 2023

Dorleta Gonzalez will interview SCT MD David Rigby to discuss diversity success in a webinar on Thursday 14th September – Book your place via Eventbrite here

“Wake up and smell the coffee” is a favourite expression of my favourite estate agent. This message therefore is aimed at the 50% who work with feelings over facts, or who are emotional rather than logical. Logically this message has no effect on those 50% of the population unimpressed by the call to emotion.

Then he is assuming that everyone loves the smell of coffee which they don’t. So, he is alienating more people than he is impressing with his message. It’s the same with selling cars – imagine xxx does not impress 50% of the potential buyers. On the other hand , of those logical ones, 50% don’t do detailed facts either. So bombarding people with detailed facts may impress just 25% of your target customers.

If all your team thinks the same as you, then the likelihood is you will target the 25% of your potential market. Your team might tick all the boxes regarding race, sex, age, sexuality, religion etc but if you all think the same way you are missing out on maybe 75% of sales.

It is a recognised fact that diverse teams get better results, but only if the team is properly diverse and the individuals properly belong. A board full of the male pale and stale and the token woman only deals with ‘women’s issues’ is not a diverse board. If the male, pale and stale think differently then they may be a more diverse board than if it’s made up of a people which are “technically” diverse. And the same goes for your teams.

Recruiting a team or board which is cognitively diverse is the best chance of success. How would you know? By using profiling tools to assess your current team and the kind of persons you would want to complete your team or board. We recommend using colour profiling assessments and team wheels. For more information look at this page

Diversity and Success WEBINAR 14 September 2023

Join our Smart Coaching & Training’s MD David Rigby on 14 September 17.30- 18.15 CEST (16.30 to 1815 BST)(19.30 to 20.15 GST) being interviewed by Dorleta Gonzalez about how using colour profiling and team wheels to develop a team or Board which is truly diverse – that is cognitively diverse. Book your place via eventbrite link here.

Read about Diversity here and about Profiing here

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

Written by David Rigby © 2023 Smart Coaching & Training Ltd

Filed Under: coaching, Mentoring, People Development, Personal Development Tagged With: clowninng, diversity, feeling, humour, innerclown, intuitive, keeping tradition, laughter, logical, performing, profiling, psychological safety, Smart Coaching & Training, thinking

28/06/2023 By David Rigby

Presence and Spirit based Coaching

Presence and Spirit based Coaching

by Smart Coaching & Training’s Pari Namazie, with Sheona Della-Fort and Malcolm Lewis

Background reading for Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR Thursday 21 September 2023

This is article is written by associates Pari Namazie, Sheona Della-Fort, Malcolm Lewis with help from Chat-GPT The topics in this article will be discussed in a webinar on 21st September – Book your place via Eventbrite here

In the chaos of modern life, we often find ourselves longing for a deeper connection to our true selves and seeking guidance to navigate the challenges that come our way.
In a world characterized by constant distractions and disconnection, the practice of cultivating presence is more crucial than ever. Presence and Spirit Based (PSB) Coaching encourages individuals to be fully present in the moment of NOW, engaging their senses (5 Senses) and emotions as well as tapping into their 6th sense of deep intuition. By deepening awareness of the body, tuning into the wisdom of the higher mind, nurturing the Spirit of the Higher Self, and honoring the essence and development of the Soul, individuals can access deeper and more profound insights, clarity, and purpose. PSB coaching provides the tools and practices to navigate uncertainty, manage stress, and find resilience amidst challenges. By fostering a deeper connection to ourselves and the world around us, it empowers individuals to lead with compassion, purpose, and authenticity, ultimately creating a more care for Humanity.
In addition to working with the mind, body and emotions, PSB Coaches fully acknowledge the spiritual and soulful aspects of human existence, not just the psychological and practical factors in our world. Spirit and Spirituality, in this context, doesn’t necessarily refer to religious beliefs but rather to a sense of connection to something much larger than ourselves. It involves exploring our values, our purpose, and the deeper meaning of our lives coupled with exploring the unconscious parts of ourselves and the collective, which restrict our coming fully back into wholeness.
PSB Coaches create a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore these dimensions of themselves. They help clients uncover limiting beliefs, clarify their values, and align their actions with their authentic higher versions of themselves. By integrating body, mind, spirit, and developing their soul, clients can experience profound personal growth, increased self-awareness, and a deeper sense of fulfillment.
We come to coaching to explore our potential, unravel limiting beliefs, and create meaningful change. PSB Coaching offers a safe and nurturing space where you can be seen, heard, and supported, as well as Witnessed, as you follow your personal inner and outer journey. It recognises that true transformation requires a (w)holistic approach that honors every aspect of our being. Through skillful guidance and mindful practices, the approach enables you to tap into your inner wisdom, individuality and personality , align with your desired values, and cultivate a greater sense of authenticity and fulfillment.

Presence and Spirit Based Coaching WEBINAR 21 September 2023


Join our Presence and Spirit Based Coaches and Smart Coaching & Training Malcolm, Sheona and Pari on 21 September 15:00-15.45 CEST (14:00 to 14:45 BST)(17:00 to 17:45 GST) to hear how they guide individuals through a transformative process of self-exploration and personal growth. They employ a unique and holistic approach that emphasizes the integration of body, mind, spirit, and soul to help their clients tap into their fullest potential. Book your place via eventbrite link here.

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here.

Written by David Rigby © 2023 Smart Coaching & Training Ltd

Filed Under: coaching, Mentoring, People Development, Personal Development Tagged With: clowninng, feeling, humour, innerclown, intuitive, keeping tradition, laughter, logical, performing, psychological safety, Smart Coaching & Training, thinking

07/06/2023 By David Rigby

Design Thinking, Digital Skills and Leadership

Design Thinking, Digital Skills and Leadership

by Smart Coaching & Training’s Marc Mekki

This is article is written by associate Marc Mekki international keynote speaker and trainer.

What do Apple, Ikea, Bank of America and AirBnB have in common? They have all relied on Design Thinking as a powerful methodology and mental framework for driving product and service development. So what is Design Thinking? Think of it as a mental upgrade; a piece of ‘mind-ware’ for teams tasked with assessing, prototyping and testing new ideas in their market, be that for the purpose of a commercial deployment as a for-profit corporation or SME, or to drive intra-organisational change and innovation as a public sector entity, association or NGO. Deploying Design Thinking within an organisation during a volatile era will save time, money and morale. Teaching people how to unlock their inner resourcefulness and quickly create simple prototypes driven by an empathetic grasp of real market needs is what makes this such a powerful framework. I’m an MIT Sloan Certified Design Thinking expert and have successfully used the methodology for 20 years. I’ve trained hundreds of people from corporates, non-profits, associations and startups. Digital Skills & Leadership Training Other topics I’ve covered for global companies in aviation, energy, mining, retail, hospitality and beyond:

Digital Transformation


The ins and outs of emerging technology, what to know, what to look out for and what to avoid. Deep dives into AR/VR, Cloud, Blockchain and AI. What is the difference between digitisation, digitalisation and digital transformation; how do you interpret and leverage the hype cycle; what new skills do you need to acquire? This is a highly immersive course for high potentials and even seasoned leaders looking to get up to speed in a brave but challenging new world.

Digital Leadership


Understanding the power, potential and pitfalls of new technology is one thing, having the leadership skills to navigate teams through unprecedented change another. Learn to leverage the power of an iterative, lean approach; find out how to launch and and foster an innovation lab; drive experimentation and rapid prototyping using state of the art new tools.

Virtual Collaboration


We live in a global, distributed world and no matter how many offices reopen, having the skills and knowledge to effectively collaborate digitally is indispensable. What are the tools and techniques to do this most efficiently? When do you use collaboration tools like Miro and Notion, or when do you put on the VR headsets and dive headfirst into VR collaboration. The digital transformation course is hands-on, highly practical and delivers greater efficiency and teamwork, no matter where people are located.

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here. Marc is currently delivering training in Dubai and managing projects in Neom in Saudi Arabia

In conjunction with Professional Speakers Association (Spain) , SCT’s David Rigby will be present at the TEDx Marbella Spain event on June 9 focussing on Entrepreneurs

Written by David Rigby © 2023 Smart Coaching & Training Ltd

Filed Under: Being Confident, coaching, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Mentoring, Mindset, People Development, Personal Development, Training, Wellbeing Tagged With: clowninng, feeling, humour, innerclown, intuitive, keeping tradition, laughter, logical, performing, psychological safety, Smart Coaching & Training, thinking

21/04/2023 By David Rigby

What is clowning? Why is it useful?

What is clowning? Why is it useful?

by Smart Coaching & Training’s Caroline Dream

I am David Rigby, MD of Smart Coaching & Training. After learning Public Speaking, Radio Presenting, StandUp Comedy, learning about clowning proved to be very significant in both my training and my public speaking career. This is article is written by associate Caroline Dream, a bi-lingual associate of Smart Coaching & Training, who specialises in teaching Clowning for Professionals.

Making people laugh is much more complex and fascinating than it may seem at first glance. The red nose does not make people laugh, but the clown inside you. To discover your clown, it is important to be prepared to share who you are, with humility and humanity, knowing that this unique learning process has no foreseeable end, that is, there will always be something to learn, develop or perfect, as in all the arts.

Yes, everyone has a clown identity, a clown-id (Freud was too serious and hard working to notice it). Everyone can, with a little help, experience the clown self that abides within them, the self that just is; fun loving, fun and funny. In fact, the moment you put your organised, realistic, critical and moralizing self aside you will find them with ease. They’re waiting in the wings of your consciousness, somewhat impatiently, ready to grab the first opportunity you give them to be centre stage.


The problem is that until you’ve actually experienced your clown, even for the briefest moment, this will be hard to believe. Hard to believe too how addictive letting this crazy version of yourself run loose can be. Clowns breathe life and lightness into people. My students are usually amazed and delighted after an encounter with their more vibrant and creative self.  

What is YOUR clown like?

There’s a generalized idea that this clown identity is actually the inner child – but it’s not. Clowns are not children, though they have obviously not lost sight of childhood nor ceased to observe children. Clowns have incorporated aspects of both but they are not frozen in time, they’re quite capable of very adult attitudes, ideas and actions.

Each clown is unique and grows over time. If you asked any professional, “What is your clown like?”, they’d all tell you something completely personal. Clowns call themselves clowns because they recognise the art that is their playground but the individuals that are playing there each have there own unique charisma. If you have already experienced your clown you’ll know that it’s a lot like tuning yourself in to a specific frequency. When you’re receiving the signal you still feel like you, just with fewer complexes and more creativity.

Caroline Dream’s class in Germany in 2023
Caroline Dream’s books in Spanish. There are also ones in English

Why is it useful?

All the positive effects we experience originate in the following three core components of clowning: using humour, the clown state, and performing for an audience.

Using humour

The effects humour and laughter have on us have been well aired over the last decade. We now know that using our sense of humour regularly increases our capacity to: accept ourselves, communicate our feelings, relate with others, face tensions, adapt to new situations, deal with conflicts, have fun, and think positively.

Over the last century psychological theorists (such as Maslow, Freud, Allport, and Vaillant) have endorsed a style of humour that is non-hostile, philosophical, and self-accepting (such as clowns possess) and associated it with the development of a healthy or mature personality. Having a healthy sense of humour has been demonstrated to strengthen a person’s sense of trust, hope and valor, especially in moments of difficulty. In their article, “Humor and life stress: Antidote to adversity” (1986), H.M. Lefcourt and R.A. Martin – two authorities on the subject of humour – confirmed that using positive humour reinforces the value of acceptance and forgiveness of one’s self and others. And add that “the ability to sense and appreciate humour can buffer the mood disturbances that happen in response to negative life events.”Which goes to say that an inevitable result of having a healthy sense of humor is a greater emotional intelligence.

Also, moments of shared laughter have two valuable effects; they deactivate internal bias mechanisms and bring people together in the same shared space. The presence of humour disarms all resistance to growth or change.

The clown state

Without a doubt inhabiting the clown state brings out the best in us – we become authentic, honest, creative, humble, inventive, curious, joyful and free – and merely recognizing all these qualities we inherently possess is revitalizing. With the help of our clown we become connected – to ourselves, to others and to life, with appreciation and compassion.
Other benefits include:

  • a fresh perspective.
  • step out of comfort zone.
  • greater listening skills.
  • ability to use mistakes and failures to create success.
  • understanding how to overcome communication breakdowns.
  • greater crisis and stress management skills.
  • constant creative collaboration.
  • focus on finding innovative solutions to tricky problems.

Performing for an audience

By stepping out into the limelight, we reclaim our individual worthiness to be seen, heard and appreciated.

Knowing that you are funny, generous, idiotic, creative, talented, loving, etc. is one thing, but expressing and experiencing these aspects of yourself in front of others is something else altogether. Research has shown that both practical knowledge and long lasting memories are forged through powerful, emotional experiences. When you find yourself in front of an audience – exhibiting your personality, talents and ingenuity – you are refreshing and activating your understanding of who you are and what you’re capable of. 

Researchers who have studied the effects of practicing drama, theatre or a performance art on young people – Catterall & Chapleau (1997), Heath & Roach (1998), E. Fiske (1999), S. Ruppert & National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (2006) – have found an extraordinary number of benefits. They saw positive changes in the children’s: confidence, self-esteem, self-discipline, ability to organize and prioritize, self-reliance, poise, ability to converse with adults, empathy, compassion, analysis, problem solving, reasoning, abstract thinking skills, ability to conceptualize, and appreciation of culture and the arts.

Clowning, therefore, improves your physical, emotional, psychological, social, and academic capacities. Which of course, will increase your overall sense of well-being and help you no end on the path towards professional success.

Smart Coaching & Training works with 20 associates, in four continents speaking 12 languages and raised and working in a wide range of cultures. See our associates here. Caroline is currently delivering training in South America (in Spanish) and Germany, USA and Spain (in English and Spanish)

In conjunction with Professional Speakers Association (Spain) , SCT’s David Rigby will be present at the TEDx Marbella Spain event on June 9 focussing on Entrepreneurs

Written by David Rigby © 2023 Smart Coaching & Training Ltd

Filed Under: Being Confident, coaching, Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Mentoring, Mindset, People Development, Personal Development, Training, Wellbeing Tagged With: clowninng, feeling, humour, innerclown, intuitive, keeping tradition, laughter, logical, performing, psychological safety, Smart Coaching & Training, thinking

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