𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧

As I turned the pages of 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 by James Norbury, tears welled upNot just a single drop, but a quiet cascade of emotions

Some books don’t just tell a story. They touch something deep within you.

The simple, yet profound narrative captures resilience, growth and connection through two characters navigating the seasons.

Of the many lines that stood out, here are a few of my favourites:

 ‘𝐀 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐬’. In my 16y of coaching, I have seen how comparison drains energy. Our strength lies not in being better than others, but in fully expressing our own unique potential.

’𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝’. In a world obsessed with productivity, I often remind leaders that reflection is a vital part of growth. Those quiet moments of seemingly doing ‘nothing’ are often where our most transformative insights emerge.

 ‘𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐞𝐚’. It might be enough.’ Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply be there for others.

What Norbury captures beautifully is a universal truth: we all find ourselves wandering, feeling lost and seeking connection at some point in our lives.

Whether you are a CEO navigating complex organisational challenges, a professional in career transition or someone trying to make sense of life’s twists and turns, there is wisdom here for you.

The book’s simplicity, inspired by Buddhist philosophy and spirituality resonated deeply with me.

It reminded me that our path isn’t about perfection, but compassion – for ourselves and others.

It is about finding beauty in uncertainty, strength in vulnerability and hope in unexpected moments.

Off to read the follow up book, The Journey

Have you recently discovered unexpected wisdom in a simple interaction or moment?