Praise for Good Leaders in Turbulent Times

I’m so glad that my mother ‘jauntily suggested’ that Martin and his family go white water rafting. Little did she know at the time what a vivid analogy for navigating turbulent times it would turn out to be! Good Leaders in Turbulent Times is an easy-to-read, insightful and empowering book that will help guide any good leader seeking to be significant in this topsy-turvy world.

Martin weaves his wealth of experience as a facilitator with deep empathy and kindness to create a valuable book for those of us navigating the wild waters of work.

Having personally experienced the challenges of navigating Covid-19 as an international travel business whilst trying to meet some of the needs of vulnerable children in a country with the highest HIV infection rate in the world and 60% of people living in poverty, I’m very grateful for Martin’s reassuring and encouraging insights.

Kim Roques, Founder & Director, All Out Africa, Eswatini

This book is packed with truths – some of them a little uncomfortable to face, but all of them invaluable for anyone trying to navigate the wild waters of civil society leadership. Whether you are a novice CEO in your first role or a long-in-the-tooth leader who has been round the block several times, you’ll find thought provoking and actionable content here that can help you avoid landing on the rocks hidden beneath the waves.

I suspect this is a book I’ll keep coming back to, to help me in my own leadership practice, and each time will find something new and invaluable in its pages.

Jane Ide OBE Hon D Univ, CEO Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (Acevo)

To be a leader in civil society is an amazing, rewarding experience but most of us find ourselves battling to keep our heads above water at some point. At such times it can feel catastrophic and very lonely. Martin takes a wise and compassionate look at living through leadership crises and difficult relationships and moving from surviving to thriving. Martin introduces us to a cast of characters who are navigating such wild waters. Through their experiences, he offers insights to help us reflect on and make sense of such difficult times, and offers ways to find healing, learning and growth.

Ros Oakley, Co-Founder and First Chief Executive, Association of Chairs

Good Leaders in Turbulent Times has come at a time when leadership responsibility for psychological safety, bullying, harassment and well-being of staff and mental wealth is so alive! Navigating in a post-Covid environment where there are additional challenges, additional trauma impacts such as matters of inclusion and belonging, generational diversity, artificial intelligence and conflict, to name a few, presents a deep and broad slate for today’s leaders. Focusing on the future with an eye on today, while learning lessons from the past, has never been more important. Martin Farrell has written a really important book.

Tesse Akpeki, Fellow of The Chartered Governance Institute (UK and Ireland), CGI Champion for Governance for UK and Ireland 2023

Good Leaders in Turbulent Times tells us various tales of third sector ‘Good Leaders’, who find themselves in a career crisis. It follows them from the first ‘watch-out-for’ signs, through the bad times and, eventually, we see the resolutions they find. These stories are intertwined with the stories of personal crises that flow alongside the events in their professional lives.

Happily, with Martin guiding us through each twist and turn of their wild waters experiences, sharing his ability to see the full story and with his insights and commentary peppered throughout each chapter, the book is an uplifting and positive read. It will likely help not only those finding themselves in crisis to better navigate their own situation towards a positive end, but may indeed help all leaders avoid getting into wild waters in the first place.

Jesper Christensen, Partner, Mccarthy Denning

This is an energising and liberating book, distilling Martin’s decades of experience and insights into how charity leaders can get stuck in the mire of dysfunctional dynamics such as ‘them and us’ and consequently find themselves being battered in wild waters. It shines a light on stories (usually never told) of the conflicts and personal trauma and offers clear advice for navigating a way through crises with integrity, honesty and compassion – and how to emerge stronger.

It is full of practical advice for leaders about recognizing the early red flags in the boardroom, taking prompt action and building more effective and more equitable Chair/CEO relationships.

Good Leaders in Turbulent Times is essential reading for all chairs and chief executives and all who care about charity governance.

Jane Keeper, Social Worker, Former Director of Operations at Refuge

I see the bodhisattva in Martin; that is, when he sees suffering and injustice, he responds with compassion and works tirelessly to help others be the best they can be. Martin has an irrepressible love of life that is evident in his vigour, authentic kindness and wit. People feel better when they are around him.

In addition to these powerful personal attributes, Martin has the technical knowledge base and skills needed to guide, support and problem-solve with leaders in complex systems.

The next best thing to being in the room with Martin is reading Good Leaders in Turbulent Times. You will find him on every page.

Greg Dalder, Semi-Retired Social Worker and Bereavement Counsellor, Tucson, Arizona, USA

If you are looking for a leadership guide by your side, go no further. In Good Leaders in Turbulent Times Martin speaks personally to every leader about navigating ‘wild waters’ in our turbulent times; distilled wisdom pours throughout this book.

Each character and Martin’s commentary speak to each reader in ways which suit their own situation. No dos and don’ts, just gentle invitations that fall like soft snow, inviting exploration of ideas that help you through. Martin has navigated wild waters, not only forhimself, but also for every leader. No mud, no Lotus. Indeed.

V Narasimhan (‘Narsi’), Chennai, India

Good Leaders in Turbulent Times powerfully brings to mind my work with leaders in civil society – the chaos, bitterness, burnouts, and also the passion, virtues and resilience that flourish amidst adversity. Martin’s portrayal of ‘wild water experiences’ resonates deeply with challenges and opportunities I have seen in my part of the world.

As I immerse myself in the characters’ stories, I eagerly anticipate Martin’s insights. His parallel commentaries off er precious guidance, which I will carry with me as I facilitate and coach in the years ahead.

Lilian Wang, Certified Professional Facilitator | Master, Executive Coach, Asia Pacific

Good Leaders in Turbulent Times by Martin Farrell is a provocative guide for navigating the stormy seas of leadership challenges. With insights drawn from his first-hand years of experience in working with and coaching high-level leaders and CEOs, including for charitable and international organizations, this book equips aspiring leaders with guidance on the wisdom and fortitude needed to thrive amidst uncertainty.

A must-read for anyone seeking to lead with courage, empathy and conviction in today’s unpredictable and challenging world. The daunting task, while taken seriously, is lightened by witty anecdotes, storytelling, familiar day-to-day encounters over coffee and initial reactions to having to sit through 27 slides. Magnified is also the element of self-doubt and the human perspective of feeling alone or having family and friends nudging, to which any reader can undoubtedly relate. You are certainly left with a strong sense that the coach is in the room inside the pages and between the lines.

Ambassador Salwa Dallalah, Manager and Director Conference Affairs Services UNFCCC 1997–2015 and IAEA 2016–2020

Martin Farrell brings common sense, emotional intelligence and humanity to Good Leaders… In his work and in this book he holds the big picture of the organizational dynamic, whilst taking a deep dive into ‘wild waters’ with leaders. Everyone emerges the better for it.

It is a rare gift indeed to be exceptional at what you do and deftly articulate it, but in this creative and absorbing book Martin does just that.

He rightly has a stellar reputation for supporting CEOs in crisis. The third sector is a better place with Martin in it and Good Leaders... will serve to enrich it even further.

Amanda Falkson, Psychotherapy City, London

Martin writes with clarity and knowledge about his approach in this creative fictional story, which is well integrated with solid guiding principles for leaders in crisis.

It is his therapeutic understanding that takes Good Leaders in Turbulent Times to a deeper level beyond a technical and prescriptive textbook. His experience enables him to be the ‘wise man’ and hold the space and make it safe for the drama to unfold, knowing that the client in crisis needs to find the answers from within for change and healing to occur. Martin also invites emotional release for clearer thinking, so emphasizing body awareness and mindfulness as resources to achieve better self-regulation. In so doing he draws attention to unconscious messages.

Despite Martin’s wealth of experience, he remains humble with respect to the mutuality of the process and the partnership with his clients. Martin guides with authority and shares his own vulnerability, whilst balancing this with letting the client be in charge of their own process.

The human-ness in his work makes it truly relational. Inviting the reader’s full engagement, Good Leaders in Turbulent Times avoids being yet another ‘tick box’ exercise.

Bernd Eiden, MA, Co-founder and Director of the Chiron Centre for Body Psychotherapy, 1983–2011.