Fiona Murden - Defining You: How to Profile Yourself and Unlock Your Full Potential

Helps you travel on the journey of self-discovery in a simple, yet thorough fashion. [Defining You] will provide you with previous undiscovered insights and help you craft an action plan to pull it all together. It is a must read for anyone who has that essential quality of exceptional leaders, curiosity.

David Sole OBE, former Scotland Rugby Captain, co-founder of School for CEOs

This is a MUST readread it, and then get your loved ones to read it. You owe it to them and yourself.

Wing Commander Jonathan McMullan, Commanding Officer, Royal Australian Air Force Officers Training School

Cuts right through the chaotic and provides authentic, useful, relevant, and actionable exercises at every turn.

Mel Carson, Microsoft

Puts the spotlight on your own journey, helping you find your way to a happier, more successful life.

Kenny Wilson, CEO of Cath Kidston

Fionas warm and engaging style springs from the pages, providing guidance and helpful pragmatic examples which really make the experience come to life.

Sue Langley OBE, Non-Exec Chairwoman of Arthur J. Gallagher UK

Whoever you are, and at whatever point you find yourself, heres a bespoke map for what happens next.

Jon Hendry, CEO of Prezzo Ltd

[Fiona] manages to get to the bottom of complex issues, and communicate them in a way you can action.

Rowan Gormley, CEO of Majestic Wine, Founder of Naked Wines

A really compelling and rewarding read that is highly recommended for anyone serious about understanding themselves and becoming the very best they can be.

Jo Walmsley, HR Director of Waitrose

Every reader will find a range of really helpful tools to understand their values, passions, and interestsand to identify development goals to live life with a purpose.

Professor Anthony Forster, University of Essex

www.nicholasbrealey.com

First published in 2018 by Nicholas Brealey Publishing

An imprint of John Murray Press

An Hachette UK Company

Fiona Murden 2018

The right of Fiona Murden to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

Text design and illustration design by Craig Burgess

The Credo test and participant report featured in Chapter 5 is provided by Tests Direct Limited, Walker House, Walker Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 1BH. The Credo test will be available until at least 1 May 2019, after which time Test Direct reserve the right to withdraw the test from use. All queries regarding the performance of the test or supply of the participant report should be sent direct to Tests Direct Ltd at admin@tests-direct.co.uk.

All rights reserved.
Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it ispublished and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library

Ebook ISBN UK 978-1-473-66841-6

Ebook ISBN US 978-1-473-66973-4

Nicholas Brealey Publishing

John Murray Press

Carmelite House

50 Victoria Embankment

London, EC4Y 0DZ UK

Tel: 020 3122 6000

Nicholas Brealey Publishing

Hachette Book Group

Market Place Center, 53 State Street

Boston, MA 02109, USA

Tel: (617) 263 1834

www.nicholasbrealey.com

www.aroka.co.uk

For my familythose who are here and
those who are gone. You are my story.

Contents

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and thats your own self.

Aldous Huxley

I have always thought the most attractive people were those who were comfortable in their own skin. Its something I have been working towards myself and something I aspire to for my children. Working through the exercises and taking time to embrace the concepts in Fionas book go a long way towards helping to achieve some of that self-awareness and identify ones purpose.

I met Fiona in 2008, when she was asked by my employer at the time to profile me for a promotion. I remember being incredibly nervous about going for my assessment. I had no idea what it would be like, what kinds of questions I would be asked, and, above all, what sorts of conclusions this occupational psychologist would draw about me.

Im happy to say that it was actually a very enjoyable experience. Fiona was warm and engaging, and although she asked probing questions, she instantly put me at ease. I did get the promotion, I received a very insightful profile report, which I still refer to from time to time, and I gained a friend as well. Fionas observations about my strengths, potential risks and limitations, my motivation and drive, and the environment in which I would thrive were spot on. Those observations and insights provoked a lot of thought, really helped to raise my self-awareness, and gave me a good baseline for my ever-evolving development plan.

I read Defining You with great interest, as I am a naturally curious person on a continual self-improvement mission. I also really enjoy meeting new people and understanding what makes them tick. I found the exercises and tools in this book really helpful to me in planning the next phase of my life (having recently hit the milestone of 50), but also in understanding and engaging with others. I would strongly recommend the book as a means of self-discovery and ultimately of optimizing your performance and overall well-being.

Brenda Trenowden

Brenda Trenowden is a strong advocate for womens economic empowerment and has been recognized with several awards for her global campaigning for greater gender balance across organizations. She is currently Global Chair of the 30% Club, working closely with leading chairs and CEOs around the world to increase the representation of women in senior roles and more broadly. The 30% Club, which originally launched in the UK, now operates in 11 global areas with the aim of improving the gender balance at each stage of lifes journey, from schoolroom to boardroom. Brenda is also an adviser to the UK governments Hampton-Alexander Review for increasing the representation of women at the executive level of the FTSE 350.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to delve into your own story, to understand the twists and turns of your life in a way that makes you not only more successful but happier? Its rare that any of us has time to truly reflect on what makes us who we areand I dont mean the kind of naval gazing or introspection that leaves us feeling miserable and questioning what life is all about. Rather, Im talking about a positive, pragmatic, even self-indulgent exploration of what makes you you . It doesnt matter how old you are, whether you are 20-something, looking at where you want your life to go, 40-something, working out how to create more meaning in the prime years of your career, or 60-something, about to retire and wanting to continue to live with a sense of purposeall of us can gain from learning more about ourselves. This book will take you through your journey in a way that will positively propel you into the next days, weeks, years, and decades of your life with a greater sense of clarity about who you are and what you stand for, an understanding of your purpose, and the confidence to live and breathe what you have learnt.