Episode 45 – Heading into the Roaring 20s | Ken Barr Jnr

In this episode I chat with Ken Barr Jnr, where he shares insights from the last decade and predictions for the next.

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Transcript

Murray Guest  

Hey Ken, how are you?

Ken Barr  

I’m Well, sir.

Murray Guest  

Great to hear. I’m good. I’m really good. Welcome to the end of a decade as we jump into the roaring 20s.

Ken Barr  

Here we go, man.

Murray Guest  

Yeah, it’s it’s I think it’s pretty exciting just considering that the 2020s are here and I feel like the 2020s were going to be something years into the future. And we’re here.

Ken Barr  

I hear ya. It’s like flying cars and video calls and all that. I think we’re a little closer than people think.

Murray Guest  

Yeah, well, I’m still looking out for the hover skateboard.

Ken Barr  

For Back to the Future. Yeah.

Murray Guest  

Where’s that? Where’s? Where’s the hover skateboard?

Ken Barr  

Yeah, I’m waiting for that, too.

Murray Guest  

Yeah, so I’m looking forward to catching up with you and talking today about the past decade and what you reckon is coming in this next decade, the 2020s. You and I both chatted a few times, had you on the podcast. And we’ve talked about our journeys. And I love talking to you. And I get to hear a very cool accent, which I appreciate.

Ken Barr  

I feel the exact same way about you. 

Murray Guest  

Oh don’t say that. Yeah. So tell me about your past decade. What’s something that stands out to you, when you think back from 2009, through to 2019?

Ken Barr  

Well, a ton has happened. But I think probably the the coolest thing is that this strengths movement is absolutely tipped, I would say in 2009 that you could go into, you could go to a party, or you could go to a conference. And there were a handful of people who knew about it. I feel like most of the time we were explaining about what this is. 10 years later, I feel now it is rare that somebody has not heard about it.

Murray Guest  

Yeah, and I totally agree. I was with a client yesterday, and we’re talking about a presentation I’m doing soon around strengths. And the manager of this client I’ve never met before. He said, Yeah, I just did my MBA in the last couple of years and strengths was part of doing that MBA. And yes, that would not have been the statement a decade ago. Yeah, I agree. And you’ve helped a lot of people get to know their strengths, through Clifton Strengths, through Strengths Finder. You know, it’s up to 18,000 people, we want to celebrate that. That’s amazing.

Ken Barr  

Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, it definitely when you put it in those numbers, it definitely makes me think like, how were we even able to do that?

Murray Guest  

So, tell me, how did you do that? How did you roll out strengths?

Ken Barr  

Yeah, you know, I can tell you in the beginning, I mean, we were trying to get anybody to start to speak the language. So it felt like we were just bribing them. Let me let me take you to lunch. Let me give you this. Think of Pop Tarts, candy, a cup of coffee. By the way, will you please take this assessment? Can we, so we could talk about your strengths? I eventually, that evolved into doing working with larger groups. And for me, that’s where we are able to get numbers like that, because we just started to work with so many groups.

Murray Guest  

And for all those people that you would have had strengths based conversations with, does anything stand out when you think about the impact that’s made on them?

Ken Barr  

Oh, my gosh, I think, you know that I used to work for a school. And now 10 years later, we’ve got students who are on their second career, and for some of them to say that I absolutely know that I made the right choice, because I get a chance to do what I’m good at. And part of that is because I discovered it through these coaching conversations.

Murray Guest  

Yeah, well, and I that must be so rewarding for you to think about. Not only did you introduce the language and the idea of focusing on your strengths, but it’s helped people in the pathway of their life.

Ken Barr  

Yeah, no kidding. I mean, I’m getting a text late last night at 10 o’clock, from a former student slash client, about salary negotiations, multiple offers. And I’m just thinking to myself, Oh, my gosh, I remember when this student was still not sure. How do we do this? Yeah. I feel great about it.

Murray Guest  

Yeah, yeah. And that’s a that’s a lot of people. When you think about some of those conversations that you’ve had with people, what do you think the impact has also been on yourself in the past 10 years with the strengths focus because you’ve been not only going deep for other people, but for yourself as well?

Ken Barr  

Yeah, I just had a conversation, thank you for asking that, with my brother the other day, and I said, I just feel thankful that I found something that I am really good at, that now has come to be in demand that now people want to help with the discovery and the application of their strengths. And it just so happens that this is naturally the way that I see the world.

Murray Guest  

Yeah, I totally get that. I did my assessment back, you know, eight years ago, when I first saw that I was like, Wow, this makes sense to me. This this language, this approach, it actually was like, Oh, I’ve been looking for this, that connects with me. Any personal achievements in the past decade that we can take the time out to do a virtual high five and celebrate?

Ken Barr  

Well, I have been able to, so it’s funny, like how personal we want to get here?

Murray Guest  

You can go as personal as you like.

Ken Barr  

I think that the thing that I value most in this world, our relationships, and the fact that I’ve been able to maintain the ones that have been just so vital to what brings me joy, and I’ve been able to be a positive contributor. And in so many people’s lives, I think the, I feel great about being able to learn about myself, and figure out where I can be most productive, where I can provide the most value. And it’s a continuing process. But I feel like I have done a pretty good job of it in the last 10 years.

Murray Guest  

Yeah, that feels good. And I want to acknowledge that. I mean, your friendship is something I really value and the connection, and your spirit for helping those around you is amazing. So yeah, I think we should do one of those, and high five that, awesome. 

Ken Barr  

Thank you. I appreciate it Murray. 

Murray Guest  

2020 is just around the corner. What do you reckon the future looks like for the work that you do? And the work of strengths and coaching and things like that? What do you think that’s going to look like?

Ken Barr  

Well, I think the fact that we’re doing this on this kind of technology is a bit of a preview, I think the the technology just creates more opportunities for people to be connected. I mean, if I think of what it would take for us to do this, even 10 years ago, it just not nearly as simple as, what what we just went through. So yeah, the opportunity to connect with people in other countries, the opportunity to get into your classrooms or media rooms, with people being able to dialogue, real time polling, split screen, taking a look at these items, the technology just makes it all the more accessible.

Murray Guest  

So do you think that the coaching and even not just coaching, but education and training is just going to keep on growing and opening up wider around the world and making that information and the ability to learn even more accessible?

Ken Barr  

Yeah, I think it, coaching is basically it has everything to do with the relationship. And so now you can shop in places that before you were simply limited to what you what was close to proximity was one of the biggest factors, but what we know about effectiveness of coaching is the connection you have with somebody. Yeah, if that somebody just is just waking up somewhere on the other side of the world. And that’s your person. Well, now, we can facilitate that connection. Yeah.

Murray Guest  

What about in education? In your universities? What do you see changing there? Do you think? Because I know you’ve done a lot of work in that space?

Ken Barr  

Yeah, I think now, the I first of all, hug a teacher, give that person some coffee, a gift, give them all the positivity and affirmation or recognition you can because the work that they do is one, incredibly important, and secondly, I think it isn’t always understood how much effort they really put into it. And if you thought about it, you got a room with 30 people in it, all 30 of them are unique. And yet the expectation is that you can get all 30 of them to accomplish the learning objectives, even though they all think feel and behave differently. Yeah. So I think in regard to the work that we do, that the discovery of what makes them tick will make teaching a bit more. I mean, if I can just say it a little bit easier. Once you understand what lights that person up, then you can, you can quickly figure out the way to engage them is to do this, this and this. Yeah.

Murray Guest  

I totally agree on the comment about give a teacher a hug, buy them a cup of coffee, give them some support some recognition. Unfortunately, it’s one of those positions that does not get anywhere near that support, and even the salary that they deserve for all the hard work that they do day in day out, and the care and passion and everything they do. Yeah, yeah, that’s a good point. Now I’m going to put you on the spot. We’re going to jump ahead. It’s 2030. Okay, I want you to really tap into some of those futuristic sort of strengths and talents. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Ken Barr  

In 10 years, as a couple of things, I hope that I am one of those guys, that is giving some kind of boat tour, or I’m using my input here all the facts about this place, or maybe a docent at a museum. Yeah, okay, I’ve collected enough there. Maybe there’s like a comic book gallary. Or somewhere I can use all the information that I’ve collected since I was a kid and disperse it that way. But you regard it professionally.

Murray Guest  

It’s not an either or, I think you can, you can do plenty of things. There’s enough time.

Ken Barr  

But professionally, I think the evolution will be to teach this next generation of coaches, and workshop facilitators and speakers, everything that we have learned that is effective, that provides value to clients, that helps people feel energized and get great outcomes. I think it will be my responsibility and yours, to, to teach them, show them this is why it’s been effective. This, this doesn’t work. Don’t do that. And, and be there for that sort of guidance and mentorship.

Murray Guest  

Yeah, yeah. I totally agree. I want to go back a second and agree. Yeah, there’s not an either or, there’s the yes and. And I think that’s one of the things I’ve certainly learnt in the last decade that the idea of being an employee or owning a business, there’s just so many variations of what that can look like, and what you do with yourself, to fill up your cup and do your best. And you know, you might want to be a museum curator and be coaching people. You can do whatever you want. So many times, I’m not giving you permission. I’m just, there’s so many options out there. Yeah, I’ve got maybe I’m gonna be a late night show talk host and and then I start up a band. There we go.

Ken Barr  

Now we’re talking now, you got the voice. Got the instincts for the hosting. Mean, Jimmy Fallon is going to retire at some point. So they can be an opening with late night. 

Murray Guest  

Yeah, that works for that in the next few years. Yeah. Something to think about. Thank you, my friend. Now, I have been putting people on the spot in these conversations and saying, Is there a personal goal that you’re aiming to achieve? And so we’re recording it right now putting it out there to the to the universe that you’re happy to put out there? A couple of people have been talking about getting some books out, and writing a book. Yeah, what about for you? 

Ken Barr  

It’s so funny. This reminds me a bit of like New Year’s Resolution, which I never used to do. Yeah, and I still don’t, it was just this sort of, I was used to setting a goal and then Maximizer just working hard until I got it. But if it’s in a year, it’s really to do more, it’s scale. I’ve personally just had a really, really, really busy year and have done some really, really good work. I’ve had some managers that I’ve worked with that have had some incredible growth and breakthrough. Their companies have had great years. So it’s the scale. It’s like now how can we get more people to be able to do this to go through that same sort of process?

Murray Guest  

Hmm, nice. And I saw recently you’re running a leadership retreat, had a roomful of leaders and I want to see more photos of that because I know that you would have had them in a in a space of learning and growth. So that would have been amazing, I’m sure.

Ken Barr  

Yes, thank you and I and that is one of the things I would like to do more. The same thing, scale lar. Okay, let’s get a bigger room. Let’s invite more people.

Murray Guest  

Okay, now I’m gonna ask you one last question. So I want you to think about a sky writer, you know, the planes that go around the Earth, above the sky, and they put a message out there. Your opportunity I’m giving you right now is to get your message wherever it is, one message out that everyone in the world is going to see to set them up for the next 10 years, the next decade, what’s the message, you would love everyone in the world to see that you’re going to have your sky writer put across the sky? And they will just see that as they walk out? What’s your message?

Ken Barr  

Yeah, thank you for the idea. I may do this for Michigan’s home football opener. Thanks for the opportunity. That message is, better is better. 

Murray Guest  

Oh, give me a bit of a bit more detail on that one?

Ken Barr  

Sure. When you think about your own growth and development, there’s not this plateau that you hit when you turn 30. Or when you turn 40. Or when you’re turn 50. There’s a part where you need to think, like, Can I do it better? Is there a part of this that can be better. So that is the thing that I hear myself, say to clients all the time, I hear other people say it back to me. In fact, I had a student use it in his presentation, they go, and it’s just the want for this continuous growth and development. Better is better, and you can apply to yourself, but also for what you’re putting out into the world. Being a better sibling, being a better partner, providing a better service for whatever your business is, better is better.

Murray Guest  

I’m going to be using that. I love it. I think it’s simple and just so powerful, because then the discussion that it just creates for people to say, Well, what does that look like for me in my life and the work that I do?

Ken Barr  

Yeah, yeah. And you can just ask them very, what would you like to make better? Yeah, that’s a reveal. That’s already something that they’re thinking, what are they noticing? And then, as a coach, how can you help them make progress toward that?

Murray Guest  

Yeah. Thank you. That is gold. I love it. You’re welcome. Where’s the best place online for people to find you?

Ken Barr  

The best place to find me online is actually if you really want to engage and have conversation is you can find me on LinkedIn. Yeah, just search Ken Barr Jr.

Murray Guest  

Great. And I will make sure that people can find you there in the show notes. I want to thank you for just you being you, the way you show up, the friendship over the last few years, the great work that you do. And I want to acknowledge again, the impact you’ve made in so many people’s lives to help them be their best selves and just find a career path that really connects with their strengths. You do amazing work, and you’re doing more of that now. So I want to acknowledge and celebrate that, that is absolutely awesome. Thank you.

Ken Barr  

Thank you, sir. I appreciate you. I love, you are one of the very best facilitators and connectors in our community. So we appreciate you. I love ya, I think you’re the best. I think your accent is better than mine. So I’m just gonna say that, better is better.

Murray Guest  

That is beautiful. That just shows the type of person you are that you’re gonna acknowledge this voice as much as I acknowledge yours, so thank you. All right, you have an amazing decade coming up, talk to you soon.

Ken Barr  

You got it, sir. Take care. Bye.