Episode #67
67. Why Selfish Leaders Win: Putting Yourself First with Gary Parsons
In this episode of It Starts With YOU , Vic O'Farrell is joined by professional speaker and executive mentor Gary Parsons to challenge one of the most negatively loaded words in leadership: selfish. Gary believes that the best leaders are selfish, but not in the way you might think. For him, being selfish means intentionally prioritising yourself, protecting your energy and setting boundaries so that you can show up at your best for the people who rely on you. Gary also shares the deeply personal story behind his work. After developing Bell's palsy at 18 and being left with a visible facial difference, he spent years intensely aware of how other people might see him, eventually making the conscious decision to stop smiling. He talks openly about self-esteem, vulnerability, the impact of other people's words and what it took to change the way he saw himself. Together, Vic and Gary explore boundaries, presenteeism, the pressure to always be available, the power of saying no and why good leadership isn't about sacrificing yourself for everyone else. Because putting yourself first doesn't have to mean putting everybody else last. Sometimes, it's exactly what allows you to lead them better. "It Starts with You" podcast is available everywhere on Wednesdays every fortnight. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review! Thank you, Vic. Let's Connect! Follow Vic O'Farrell via the Queen of Behaviours Instagram - @vicofarrell LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriaofarrell/ Email – hello@queenofbehaviours.com Website - www.queenofbehaviours.com Work with Vicky Showreel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTWViLzyLkU Programmes: https://queenofbehaviours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Programmes-2024-new-copy.pdf Speaker Pack: https://queenofbehaviours.com/speaker/ FREE RESOURCES Newsletter: https://mymailers.biz/qob/?fbclid=IwAR3CWpPKNLH0Qy7_9fDBYrCK0o6PdDXfHD08phcq8_okFfJM9UT6cAvIFOo Understand Different Personalities: https://form.jotform.com/250735619744363 Quick Guide to Disc: https://queenofbehaviours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Quick-Guide-to-DISC.pdf DISC for Team Success: https://queenofbehaviours.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Using-DISC-.pdf For updates on new episodes and everything podcast related Watch the podcast on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@queenofbehaviours Instagram - @itstartswithyoupodcastqob Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/queenofbehaviours TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itstartswithyoupodcast LinkedIn Page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/queenofbehaviours/ Website - www.queenofbehaviours.com/podcast About the Guest Gary Parsons is a keynote speaker and founder of Selfish Thinking Co. He previously co-founded and led a multi-award-winning business for over a decade. At the height of that success, Gary was diagnosed with severe depression. Rather than stepping away, he chose to rethink how he worked and led, rebuilding his approach to pressure and performance while continuing to grow the business sustainably before stepping down as CEO in 2024. Today, Gary speaks openly about the pressures many high performers experience but rarely discuss. Blending lived experience with practical, real-world tools from his SELF Framework, he helps people challenge the belief that putting yourself last is a sign of strength and shows how prioritising your wellbeing leads to better performance, stronger relationships and longer-term success. His sessions are engaging, honest and highly practical, giving audiences simple strategies they can use immediately. Contact Details https://garyparsons.uk - My Website https://garyparsons.uk - Selfish Leaders Win Book info http://garyparsons.uk/love-my-face - Love My Face (Channel 4) info https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyparsonsuk - LinkedIn URL
