Unlocking Performance: Personal Leadership, Goal Harmony, and Ultra Marathons with Dave Callan

In this episode of The Human CEO, Amy Stephenson welcomes Dave Callan, an accomplished leader and founder of Onto Coaching, who has transitioned from a successful corporate career to empowering others as a performance coach. With a background spanning executive roles at global giants like Manchester United, Team Sky/Ineos, and Travel Counsellors, Dave shares his unique perspective on leadership, goal alignment, and personal growth. He explores how his experiences in high-pressure environments have shaped his coaching philosophy and why stepping out of your comfort zone is critical to success.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Dave’s Career Journey:
  Insights from his leadership roles in renowned organizations, including Manchester United, where he experienced the legendary culture instilled by Sir Alex Ferguson, and Team Sky/Ineos under the visionary leadership of Sir Dave Brailsford.

• Transition to Coaching:
  Dave explains how self-reflection and a passion for helping others led him to launch Onto Coaching, where he supports executives and high performers in unlocking their untapped potential.

• The Importance of Personal Leadership:
  Dave defines personal leadership as taking accountability for your own direction and aligning your mindset and behaviors to your goals.

• Goal Harmony vs. Team Harmony:
  Drawing from his experiences in elite sports and business, Dave highlights why shared goals often matter more than perfect team cohesion.

• Lessons on Feedback:
  The transformative power of radical candor—how being direct and caring when delivering feedback helps individuals and teams thrive.

• The Role of Endurance Challenges in Growth:
  Dave shares how participating in ultra-marathons and other endurance events has helped him develop resilience and foster reflection, which he applies to his coaching practice.

Books and Resources Mentioned:

1. Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins – A guide to unlocking personal power and shifting belief systems.
2. The Law of Attraction – On how mindset and positivity influence outcomes.
3. The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday – A daily exploration of Stoic principles for personal growth.

Upcoming Challenge:
Dave discusses his upcoming multi-stage ultra-marathon in Namibia, a 250-kilometer, self-supported race across the desert. He explains how this extreme challenge reflects his commitment to growth and aligns with his mission to empower clients to push their boundaries.

How to Connect with Dave Callan:

• LinkedIn: Dave Callan
  Dave works with high performers looking to break through stagnation, overcome limiting beliefs, and align their lifestyle for peak performance.

Key Quote from the Episode:
"Empowering yourself and others starts with clarity of vision and the courage to step out of your comfort zone. That’s where growth truly happens." – Dave Callan

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