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... by engaging hearts and minds, the two most important muscles in the human body.
As a change agent, he epitomizes determination and focus, articulating with power, whilst challenging his own adversity with humour and humility. In valuing difference, he explores the metaphor of challenge, drawing out key messages from his own achievements, revealing how individuals and organisations can expand their performance potential.
He was included in The Queen's 2004 Christmas Day Television Broadcast to the Nation reinforcing diversity as a strength and earlier that same month, honoured by Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace for his significant contribution to national life. In May 2005 he received the Business Traveller of the Year Award in Dubai, sponsored by FedEx.
He works closely with a leading European diversity business helping leading brands measure (using InclusionIndex™) their potential exposure to legislation, providing indisputable evidence on the effects that diversity strategies are having on people, enabling clients win new business by improving human capital performance. He is regularly invited to share his experiences and insights with organisations around the world seeking to understand the diversity business case in recognising the benefits of inclusion. He has been described as an ambassador for all that is different.
As a sought-after positive media commentator, he is a regular contributor for several leading tourism lifestyle publications, increasingly being invited to express his opinion with both on-line and off-line industry-specific media. Operating at a strategic level with his clients that included Hilton Hotels for whom he was the disABILITY Champion (a figurehead role) for over 4 years, he drives and inspires organisational confidence, influencing employee, brand and business thinking.
Private and public sector organisations both in the UK and overseas who have engaged McGrath have included the NHS, Barclays, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Welsh National Housing Association, Credit Suisse, DHL, The Treasury, Daily Mail, Motorola, Worcestershire County Council, Lloyds TSB, Transport for London and Morgan Stanley.
McGrath personifies the qualities of self-belief, resilience and purpose of mind, applying real experiences with real messages to today's competitive business environment and for tomorrow’s leaders and workers.
He has spoken at many places of learning including Ashridge Business School of Management, together with primary, secondary and special education needs (SEN) schools for whom he continues to provide a strong message of hope, courage and inner strength, whilst raising pupil aspirations around equality, disability, difference and inclusion.
At 14 yrs, he was invited to play at Junior Wimbledon. At 15yrs, he dreamt of becoming the Manager of the Savoy Hotel in London. Ironically in 1984, he rejected a place on the Savoy Trainee Management Scheme - that same year, he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a deteriorative muscle wasting disease that remains the single biggest genetic killer of children on the planet.
In April 2002, his undefeatable will to succeed and his relentless desire to push himself to even greater achievements led him to successfully reach the North Pole. In 2003, Sir Richard Branson said "Michael is an inspiration" and in January 2004, he made it to Antarctica and finally the South Pole.
His polar experiences are laced with danger, incredulity and excitement. After a near fatal aircraft incident on arrival into Antarctica and enduring 14 days on the ice, he and his culturally diverse team reached the South Pole having been man-hauled in the supine position the last 5kms. He ‘walked’ the final leg, a distance of 310 metres. Facing his worst fears head-on and feeling the cold terribly due to a woefully inefficient circulatory system and despite severe walking difficulties having lost 65% of his muscle bulk, Michael realised his own Muscle Dream with the support of a fantastic team. Muscle Dreams are a core part of the work delivered by UK-based registered charity The Muscular Help Foundation (musclehelp.com), of which Michael is the CEO and co-founder.
In the age of new adventurers, his infectious spirit is personified by the example of self-improvement he continually sets. In valuing difference, engaging presentations move people from diverse backgrounds and at all levels to make a tangible difference in both their workplace and personal lives. One of his key learning’s is to recognise what he calls the power within and that the journey towards achieving one’s goals is far more important than the final destination.
Undaunted by his debilitating condition, this insightful speaker has firmly grasped life head on. He continues to make things happen his way. Numerous magazine and newspaper articles have covered his extraordinary exploits with many radio and TV appearances. Sound commercial experience drawn from a business background in performance improvement, employee motivation and sales development enable him to customise his delivery by inspiring both small and large groups to reach beyond.
Strong self-belief, meticulous preparation, focus and personal accountability are his guiding principles. Michael’s qualities of determination, courage, resilience, optimism and purpose of mind ensure all parties with whom he connects achieve positive outcomes. Beneath his personable disposition and appealing sense of humour, there lie profound messages that provoke, stimulate and inspire change.
From keynote addresses for conferences, seminars, corporate events and award ceremonies both in the UK and overseas, Michael shapes and customizes each presentation that he delivers according to client objectives. This versatile speaker often illustrates key messages
and learning’s with stunning high quality images and high impact moments – audiences experience a roller-coaster of emotions through his innate ability to interprete information and then deliver using his unique blend to connect, enthuse and inspire his audiences.
Topics
Ice, Slice & Adrenalin
Diversity at 90° South
Belief and The Power Within
Leadership in Action
pole2pole ~ What Goes Up Must Go Down
Taking calculated risks
Flexing your Employee Muscle
Challenging preconceptions about disABILITY
Celebrating and Valuing Difference
Inspiring others to Reach Beyond
Triumph over Adversity
Focus on YOUR goals
Finding the Balance
Why DIFFERENCE is good
Client testimonials
“Michael’s can-do presentation at our Barclays UK Banking Senior Leadership Conference was inspirational … in particular, he really brought to life the commercial imperatives of the diversity agenda … contributing significantly to the overall success of the event” Barclays PLC
“Direct, considered, inspired and inspirational” F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Pharmaceuticals Division
"Michael is an inspiration. He has a thoroughly positive outlook for somebody facing such adversities" Sir Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group
"Brilliantly conveyed, summed up by that impromptu standing ovation. 500 distinguished business guests from all corners of the Middle East were inspired, humbled and incredibly proud to have witnessed your powerfully engaging keynote address. Guests were held spellbound by your feats of endeavour at both ends of the earth and those thought-provoking polar anecdotes. You confidently invited 500 hardened business travel professionals including many CEO's, Senior Executives and their partners to stand up in visualizing your journey, laugh warmly, cry helplessly and applaud vigorously. Half-forgotten aspirations and personal ambitions were rekindled for many. Your courage, ambition, personal drive and professionalism are to be commended. More of our world must hear what you have to say. The impact it had on all present was profound" Business Traveller UK
“The reaction of everyone standing up at the end of your keynote delivery at our Senior Management Conference was a massive tribute – I have never seen that before!” DHL UK & Ireland
"Michael's personal and professional experience of disability combined with his ability to motivate on all levels made him the perfect keynote speaker for our 'More Than Enough' 2007 conference in Brussels aimed at influencing policy in the European Parliament. His own contacts within the parliament and professional knowledge of the area meant that Michael brought invaluable weight to our work advising those who influence employers in favour of diversity in the workplace. His speech was truly inspirational and his representation of our organisation and its aims left us in no doubt that, in selecting Michael as our advocate, we had made the perfect choice" European Commission 'Equal' Project Director
“Our 2007 conference ended on a high note as every single one our distinguished delegates and invited guests applauded with a standing ovation. Michael brilliantly captured the mood and demands of the audience before finalising and then delivering his speech that began with a summation of the key messages that had been brought out from the entire conference agenda as well as a degree of dramatic presentation, thus creating powerful continuity with the inspirational message that emerged from his own keynote delivery. An outstanding speaker and commanding communicator" The Master Innholders
“A great and inspiring story told in a humble and engaging manner. Michael gives of himself in a genuine and authentic way. His belief in what he wants to achieve and his focus came out very strongly capturing the hearts and minds of the audience. He didn't pretend to be a master at leadership. He spoke from his impressive new 'moonwalker' handling the dynamics of this situation extremely well in both group [answering some 15 questions at Q&A] as well as 1:2:1 scenario's" Motorola Mobile Devices, Europe
"A superb presentation – keeping a lively audience like our Senior Managers & Executive captivated for 45 minutes is no mean feat! Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, illustrated in part by the standing ovation – your delivery was inspiring, impressive, highly charged and engaging" Hilton UK & Ireland
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- Ice, Slice & Adrenalin
- Leadership in Action
- Challenging preconceptions about disABILITY
- Inspiring others to Reach Beyond
- Belief and The Power Within
- Triumph over Adversity
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