Influence isn’t about convincing people. Six principles to help leaders build trust, credibility and connection, ethically.
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As we come to the close of 2025, I find myself reflecting with gratitude for the year that has been. Like many of us, I entered the year with a word to guide me – Creation. An invitation to create internal space to allow all parts of myself to coexist. Creativity, fear, love, and more. I didn’t know then how deeply life would invite me to live that word. Professionally, 2025 was a year of commitment and integration. I graduated from a world-class coaching school in London, stepped deeper into facilitation and coaching work, became the first Bangalore-based certified B❒X® Facilitator, and continued long-term engagements with leaders willing to step into their highest potential and power. At one point in the year, the rhythm of my life changed. A diagnosis (TGN) asked me to slow down. Frightening at first, then quietly transformative. I made a declaration to heal without surgery, and what followed was a year of patience, presence, trust, and invaluable support. What emerged, clarified what truly matters to me. Health. Rest without guilt. Meaningful conversations. Movement, Travel, love, community, and deep connection. I also discovered ROMO, the Relief Of Missing Out. And finally, there are moments in life that deserve to be celebrated with the people who really matter. A few weeks ago, I chose to celebrate my Road to 60 – a milestone made even more special with my daughter, Samah, my mom, and the people who have walked alongside me through the years. It felt like a full-circle moment, a deep bow to life in all its shades. I am deeply grateful for this life. And for having shared parts of it with you. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting. www.coachfarah.com
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Every new year, I return to writing. Because when we write, something shifts. Insights surface that thinking alone doesn’t access. So much is already waiting inside us – when we pause long enough to hear it. For years now, this has become a ritual my daughter and I share. We carve out unhurried time together, reflecting on the year that’s been, and gently listening for what’s emerging next. Last night, we set our intentions for 2026 and created our vision boards with images from Pinterest and magazines. It left us both feeling energised and inspired. We began with my favourite tool, YearCompass, guided by thoughtful prompts that help us tend not just to goals, but to energy, fears, and inner shifts. Just honest writing, sharing and acknowledging each other. As I wrote, listened, and let the answers settle, one word kept returning – gently, persistently: Depth. To choose fewer things – and choose them fully. To let simplicity be the natural outcome of having gone deep. So this year, I’m choosing a phrase to guide me: Simplicity with Depth. Less noise. More truth. Less doing. More being. As you step into the new year, let a word be your compass. And if you don’t have one yet, maybe that’s perfect too. Some things arrive only when we create space. What word is quietly guiding you as you enter this year? P.S. 100 things to do with Mum Bucket List – A gift from Samah. One shared memory already etched into our bucket list. Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting. www.coachfarah.com
Every Year, I Return to Writing Read More »
A few days ago, I had a coaching session with a professional speaker and coach – someone who has spent a lifetime inspiring others to play big. This time, it wasn’t about performance. It was about possibility. We played a game. The rules were simple: Step into your future and stay there. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be unreasonable with your vision. We explored the question: “It’s July 2026. Everything you’ve dreamed of has already happened. What are you celebrating?” And what unfolded was nothing short of magic. He began slowly… then, shared vivid images of the future with unmistakable clarity. It was bold, and deeply personal. Then he looked up and said: “Just speaking this out loud… I already feel like that version of me.” In that moment, nothing in his external world had shifted. But everything inside him had. From uncertainty to clarity. From limitation to limitless possibility. As Dan Sullivan says, “When people describe their desired future, they immediately experience the emotional benefits of being changed.” You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a courageous conversation. One that helps you remember who you are… and where you’re going. So let me ask you: If we were talking a year from now… what would you be celebrating? Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting. www.coachfarah.com
What Are You Celebrating A Year From Now Read More »
I used to believe that time was my most valuable asset as an entrepreneur. Over the years, I’ve changed my mind – it’s not time, it’s energy. Because without energy, even the best use of time means nothing. This past week, I’ve been unwell and mostly in bed. I was reminded how essential it is to manage my energy with wisdom. I’m glad I listened to my body: I slept more, cleared space in my calendar, sipped endless cups of ginger lemon honey, and allowed myself to just rest. For someone usually associated with high energy, slowing down hasn’t always been easy. But it’s been necessary. And here’s the truth I’m learning to embody: Self-care is not selfish. It is a strategy. If we want to build sustainably, the most precious gift is to learn to protect and replenish our energy. Without that, a sustainable pace isn’t possible. Are you able to slow down when your body needs it? What’s your practice for honoring your energy? Farah IsmailI am a courage catalyst, executive coach, facilitator, speaker and founder of Interact Consulting. www.coachfarah.com
Our Most Valuable Asset As An Entrepreneur Read More »
