Alain Seckler was originally from Luxembourg, trained to be a lawyer, started working in the UN, passed the bar exam, worked for the UN in Geneva, Luxembourg, ex-Yugolsavia during the conflict, Haiti, Congo, Guinea Bissau, Western Sahara and recently retired in NY. Throughout this time he was also a diplomat for Luxembourg in Brussels & EU.

This conversation explores the themes of personal and professional success, the importance of staying true to one's values, and why Alain chose the UN to create impact in the world and work in conflict zones. Alain shares his journey from law to diplomacy, emphasizing the significance of making a positive difference in the world and the challenges of navigating bureaucracy. The discussion also highlights the complexities of peacekeeping operations and the long-term nature of creating change.

"It takes time to see the impact of your work."

But what this conversation is really about is how we can experience personal growth through our professional endeavours, the importance of empathy, and the lessons learned from Alain’s global experiences. He emphasizes the need for integrity, perseverance, and the value of understanding diverse perspectives in achieving meaningful change.

So, if you want to hear a new perspective of success from someone who has spent their lives in a world of conflict, turmoil and impact, then listen in to hear Alain’s journey.

Jump straight to the part which interests you the most:

00:00 Sticking to Your Guns: The Importance of Belief

02:07 Defining Success: Personal and Professional Perspectives

06:08 Fitting In: Finding Your Place in the World

09:53 A Journey Through the UN: Career Path and Experiences

18:02 Impact in Conflict Zones: Stories from the Field

25:45 Navigating Bureaucracy: The Role of the UN

33:55 Elections and Peacekeeping: The UN's Role in Congo

34:21 Navigating the Complexities of Congo

40:02 The Role of the UN in Peacekeeping

45:49 Personal Growth Through Challenges

51:56 Lessons Learned from a Global Perspective

59:46 Defining Success and Staying True to Values

01:09:04 Final Reflections and Messages for the Future

Bobby Feigler has taken a key leadership role in nearly every step of his career. Both in the military, in cofounding SciQuest and in all the roles since. It takes an impressive leader to take the Presidency & then CEO of the company that took over his former employer.

"Success is achieving our full potential as human beings"

His journey leaves a trail of success. With rapidly building businesses, maintaining a strong marriage for 40 years, raising 2 successful adult children & now mentoring others to share the wisdom learnt from his experiences while still applying all his knowledge around business, relationships & investing for the company he is CEO of.

"Purpose is about being on the move in some direction"

And that’s part of his life message. His purpose in life is to keep moving in some direction, never staying stagnant.

“Setting a course, even if it requires corrections, is essential when feeling lost.”

Bobby shares his journey from a chaotic childhood in New Orleans to becoming a successful leader in various industries. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, empathy, and the interconnectedness of personal and professional growth. We discuss conflict resolution and the lessons learned throughout Bobby's life, highlighting the value of applying wisdom to help others.

"Be open-minded and listen…it's a two-way conversation."

But perhaps the core of this conversation is the significance of learning from others and the responsibility that comes withstanding on the shoulders of giants.

And that summary barely scratched the surface.

So listen in, take some notes, and move toward your full potential.

Let’s begin.

Chapters:

00:00 The Journey of Purpose and Potential

19:21 Bobby's Life Journey and Key Milestones

28:54 Applying Life Lessons and Wisdom

31:13 Conflict Resolution and Empathy

35:34 Navigating Conflict with Empathy

39:24 Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

44:46 The Value of Personal Connections

54:31 Finding Purpose in Times of Uncertainty

01:01:53 The Golden Thread of Quality in Life

Andrew Patterson’s conversation explores his evolving perspective on success, challenges, and Ubuntu, deeply shaped by his life experiences. Originally from South Africa, Andrew’s definition of success has shifted from material wealth to embodying the philosophy of Ubuntu: "I am because you are." His three pillars—learning, mastering, and teaching—reflect his commitment to personal growth and community impact. These principles were influenced by his upbringing during the apartheid era, where understanding the challenges of others instilled a deep sense of empathy.

Key moments include Andrew's transformative Table Mountain project, climbing the iconic peak daily for a year. The endeavour tested him mentally, physically, and emotionally, while raising funds for charities and fostering connections. This project also serendipitously led him to his wife, who supported him throughout this life-altering challenge.

Through wilderness therapy, Andrew worked with at-risk youth, teaching them resilience and self-worth. This taught him the importance of creating space for others to grow, distinguishing between helping and rescuing. It highlighted Ubuntu's principle that collective effort benefits all. His work in wilderness therapy was a profound lesson in humility, patience, and the enduring impact of small actions, such as sharing Ubuntu principles with teens.

Andrew emphasises embracing challenges to uncover inner strength and resilience. His belief that growth arises from discomfort underpins his philosophy. Whether enduring corporate rejection, pursuing creative projects like writing, or training through physical and emotional hurdles, Andrew’s life exemplifies the importance of persistence and self-belief.

The conversation also delves into societal dependency on convenience, contrasting it with Andrew's advocacy for reconnecting with effortful living. He uses his lessons, such as teaching fire-making to troubled youth, to demonstrate how discipline fosters transformation. His ideas of self-worth resonate as he reflects on overcoming self-doubt and societal expectations.

Andrew’s life is a tapestry of stories showcasing humanity's ability to persevere, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to others' lives. He now channels his experiences into community-focused initiatives, blending his love for nature, storytelling, and personal development. Whether building resilience through his Whole Foods work or planning future ventures in Cape Town tourism, Andrew’s mission remains consistent: inspire and uplift others by living authentically and striving for meaningful progress.

Don’t miss this conversation that just might spark your next transformation.

04:35 Learning humility through reflections on apartheid's legacy

06:03 The philosophy of Ubuntu as a life framework for success

16:26 A year of daily climbs up Table Mountain for charity and growth

23:59 Using personal challenges as opportunities to foster community and self-worth

28:48 Meeting his wife amid personal transformation

32:13 Overcoming rejection in creative pursuits like writing

34:53 Life lessons from living with at-risk youth in wilderness therapy

49:09 Finding joy in seemingly mundane moments of work and life

49:26 Teaching fire-making as a metaphor for patience and growth

54:43 Embracing discomfort to find resilience and purpose