Sarah Furness
Name
Sarah Furness
Tagline
Squadron Leader (Retired)
Credentials
Ex Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force, Combat Helicopter Pilot, Operational commander, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, Military Grade Mindfulness Coach, Executive Coach, Human Factors and Error Management Facilitator, Risk Manager Trainer
Bio

WHAT PROBLEM DO I ADDRESS?
There is a culture of increasing stress that is put on leaders to do more with less, whilst also being stripped of their power by a media-fuelled narrative that celebrates vulnerability and blame.  It’s very hard to motivate a team of people who believe that they’re broken.

WHAT DO I DO?
I help leaders "under fire" to feel more confident, maintain outstanding performance and to lead more resilient teams. I do this by going underneath the waterline of observed behaviours and exploring what ultimately drives people... and holds them back.  I understand my audience are busy people who are under a lot of pressure. So it’s my job to distill 25 years into ONE thing that people need to know to revolutionise their performance and their resilience. 

WHAT QUALIFIES ME TO DO THIS?
I spent 25 years in a high pressure environment, through my education at Cambridge and then as a helicopter pilot in the RAF. I've experienced uncertainty, fear, rejection and failure. But it's not just about flying stories. I also understand the human brain and how to train the mind to perform optimally under pressure, whatever your battlefield looks like.

WHY AM I DIFFERENT?
I'm not!
Although my experiences may be different to many in my audience, the truth is, it wasn’t the bullets that frightened me most during my military career. I worried what people thought about me, I was afraid I’m wasn't a good enough mother, and I often felt like a bit of an idiot. So I'm not different... but I DO know how to face those fears and come out stronger and better. 

SO WHY BOOK ME?
I think people book me because they know that around 60 minutes after I start speaking they’ll have the courage and resolve to actually DO what they need to do. To lead fearlessly, to perform, to thrive.... whatever life throws at them.
So it's simple really - book me if you want to feel bombproof.

SOME OTHER THINGS YOU MAY LIKE TO KNOW.
Let's face it, this isn't really about me is it? This isn't about my journey, it's about yours. And that journey starts by knowing that I'll turn up on time and deliver what I said I'd deliver. I spent 20 years in the "can-do" military where on time was "5 minutes before 5 minutes before" and we always under-promised and over-delivered. So, in the words of Tom Cruise, "if the government trusts me.... you can too." 😉