Mark's travel experiences underscore the powerful truth that we all have the capability to become whoever we choose by leveraging our strengths

“Mark delivered a great keynote plenary to senior global marketing leaders that inspired them to lead with their strengths! I would personally recommend Mark as a speaker to work with your leadership team in a heart beat.”

“Mark delivered a great keynote plenary to senior global marketing leaders that inspired them to lead with their strengths! I would personally recommend Mark as a speaker to work with your leadership team in a heart beat.”

Malbinder Fagura
Global Marketing Director, Astra Zeneca

Malbinder Fagura
Global Marketing Director, Astra Zeneca

As an Accredited Gallup Strengths Coach and TEDx speaker, he showcased his innovative approach by collaborating with 18 senior female leaders, skillfully capturing and anchoring their unique strengths through a blend of coaching and photography. Mark's travel experiences underscore the powerful truth that we all have the capability to become whoever we choose by leveraging our strengths. 

award-winning leadership development strategies

Mark, a seasoned strengths-based leadership expert, has honed his skills working with numerous FTSE 250 companies, developing and executing award-winning leadership development strategies.

Mark, a seasoned strengths-based leadership expert, has honed his skills working with numerous FTSE 250 companies, developing and executing award-winning leadership development strategies.

We share how to tell the story by capturing unique person, moment or feeling, with which to tell a wider story.


How do we tell our story or the story of our organisation or from a human, emotive perspective?

We are all naturally gifted storytellers, but how can we refine our skills further? Specifically, how do we bring to life our travel adventures to life so well that the recipient feels as though they were also there?

We share how: The best stories begin with a single person and their experience. The biggest stories often lie within a person but are seldom unlocked.
stories are created in certain “defining moments” and we explore how we create and share these moments

We will be covering several aspects such as voice, humour, “sharing the scene”, and telling others stories. In this session, Mark will share some of his stories in writing for the Lonely Planet, and through helping executives craft their own messages.

How do we develop a truly world class organisational culture?

The best workplaces share two specific qualities:  
They create a shared sense of meaning
They recognise people’s strengths and enable them to play to them.

We uncover practical ways in which world class organisations create unmistakeable cultures. We also share some of the key boosters and killers of organisational culture. 

It is said “We see the world, not as it is, but as we are - or, as we are conditioned to see it”.

The is a powerful and practical talk aimed at Leaders in how we can truly empower others to believe they are capable of so much more (often than they believe themselves to be).

By proactively choosing the Lens with which we see our people we begin to change others reality.

We share how we can adopt the “explorer mindset” with regards to how we look to see the true potential which lies within our people, when lead people through their strengths – and not their job titles.

Mark shares his own story of how he leant into his strengths to write his own book, work as a presenter and write for the Lonely Planet, all with no prior experience or qualifications.

Happy employees = delighted clients! In this engaging, fun and practical session, Mark outlines practical ways in which we can:

Identify the unique, intrinsic strengths of ourselves and our teams. Develop our teams in accordance with these strengths & Retain our people in engaging and creative ways through offering outstanding, tailored development.

After all, Gallup research reveals people leading through their strengths are 6 times more likely to be successful.
In this media-rich talk, Mark shares how organisations he has worked with have made this change. 


Click on the topics below to explore Mark's captivating keynotes, and get in touch to discover how Mark can tailor a transformative experience for your audience. 







Compelling workplace Culture

Leadership / Diversity and Inclusion (D&I)

Storytelling

Mark Speaks about three broad topics:

Strengths-Based Leadership: Empowered Employees, Delighted Customers

Happy employees = delighted clients!  In this engaging, fun and practical session, Mark outlines practical ways in which we can:

Identify the unique, intrinsic strengths of ourselves and our teams.

Develop our teams in accordance with these strengths &

Retain our people in engaging and creative ways through offering outstanding, tailored development.

After all, Gallup research reveals people leading through their strengths are 6 times more likely to be successful.
In this media-rich talk, Mark shares how organisations he has worked with have made this change. 


next >

leadership / d&i

The Lenses of perception - Seeing the Potential in others

It is said “We see the world, not as it is, but as we are - or, as we are conditioned to see it”.

The is a powerful and practical talk aimed at Leaders in how we can truly empower others to believe they are capable of so much more (often than they believe themselves to be).

By proactively choosing the Lens with which we see our people we begin to change others reality.

We share how we can adopt the “explorer mindset” with regards to how we look to see the true potential which lies within our people, when lead people through their strengths – and not their job titles.

Mark shares his own story of how he leant into his strengths to write his own book, work as a presenter and write for the Lonely Planet, all with no prior experience or qualifications.

next >

leadership / d&i

Developing a World Class Culture

How do we develop a truly world class organisational culture?

The best workplaces share two specific qualities:  
They create a shared sense of meaning
They recognise people’s strengths and enable them to play to them.

We uncover practical ways in which world class organisations create unmistakeable cultures. We also share some of the key boosters and killers of organisational culture. 

next >

culture

Memorable Storytelling

How do we tell our story or the story of our organisation or from a human, emotive perspective?

We are all naturally gifted storytellers, but how can we refine our skills further? Specifically, how do we bring to life our travel adventures to life so well that the recipient feels as though they were also there?

We share how: The best stories begin with a single person and their experience. The biggest stories often lie within a person but are seldom unlocked.
stories are created in certain “defining moments” and we explore how we create and share these moments

We will be covering several aspects such as voice, humour, “sharing the scene”, and telling others stories. In this session, Mark will share some of his stories in writing for the Lonely Planet, and through helping executives craft their own messages.

next >

storytelling

Finding Picasso – Telling the unique story of a destination


We share how to tell the story by capturing unique person, moment or feeling, with which to tell a wider story.


next >

storytelling

Watch Mark’s TEDx: Lessons in Leadership:
See yourself through the Lens of Others.

Watch Mark’s TEDx: Lessons in Leadership:
See yourself through the Lens of Others.

Email: mark@thestrengthsexplorer.com and discover how Mark can tailor his insights to resonate with your audience and elevate the impact of your event.





Your audience deserves more than just a presentation; they deserve an unforgettable experience.

Let's make it happen together.

Your audience deserves more than just a presentation; they deserve an unforgettable experience.

Let's make it happen together.

speaker bio

Mark Julian Edwards is a distinguished leadership expert, acclaimed two-time author, and compelling TEDx speaker. With a remarkable journey that seamlessly intertwines the realms of business and travel,

Mark's expertise lies in unraveling the essence of the "explorer mindset." Through his insightful talks, he guides audiences on a transformative journey, emphasizing the untapped potential within each individual's innate strengths. Mark's unique perspective serves as the guiding "red thread" that weaves through the intricacies of leadership, fostering a deep understanding of how embracing one's strengths can unlock unparalleled success.

Mark Julian Edwards is a distinguished leadership expert, acclaimed two-time author, and compelling TEDx speaker. With a remarkable journey that seamlessly intertwines the realms of business and travel,

Mark's expertise lies in unraveling the essence of the "explorer mindset." Through his insightful talks, he guides audiences on a transformative journey, emphasizing the untapped potential within each individual's innate strengths. Mark's unique perspective serves as the guiding "red thread" that weaves through the intricacies of leadership, fostering a deep understanding of how embracing one's strengths can unlock unparalleled success.

Engage with Mark Julian Edwards to embark on a captivating exploration of leadership, where the explorer mindset becomes the catalyst for personal and professional growth.

speaker headshots

Click images to download and save for editorial use

Click images to download and save for editorial use

Why The Strengths Explorer?

Embarking on a personal quest a few years ago, Mark Julian Edwards ventured beyond the confines of corporate life to explore the untapped potential within his own strengths.

What ensued was nothing short of a transformative journey, now the bedrock of his compelling talks. Mark became an explorer of his own strengths, achieved remarkable milestones along the way, and his experience serves as a rich voyage woven with insights, offering a unique perspective on leveraging strengths for success. 

TEDx

Mark gave a TEDx on how he worked with a group of eighteen senior female executives across five countries to empower them according to their strengths.

Faces of Mallorca

Wrote and photographed Faces of Mallorca – a photo portrait book which seeks to tell the real story of this magical island through the locals and their stories.

Lonely
Planet

Wrote for the
Lonely Planet

The Jet Set

Served as a travel broadcaster for the Jet Set; a US syndicated Travel Show.



Masters in Intercultural Communication

Completed a Masters in Intercultural Communication





Gallup Strengths Coach

Became an Accredited Gallup Strengths Coach





“When we lean into our strengths and come with an explorer mindset, great things can happen”

Travel much like leadership development is a journey of exploration and discovery. Introducing "The Strengths Explorer," where the spirit of adventure meets the pursuit of personal and professional growth.



"Mark shared creative ways in working with individuals to explore their strengths. Mark is a very engaging speaker and he also deeply carers about his work in helping people to feel empowered"

Giouliana Kadra-scalzo, Chartered Psychologist, Institute Of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience

Christoph Williams
Head of Leadership Development
SONY

"Mark was dynamic, authentic and personable in his delivery and what made his style unique was his creative approach. His work as a photographer – made the keynote even more meaningful and memorable. I would highly recommend Mark as a speaker"

Megan Murray-Gray,
Hr Director, Young Enterprise

"Mark’s keynote on Team Dynamics was incredibly well received. The session covered many practical aspects including identifying and using our own strengths and those of others, in order to increase performance. His session was insightful, fun and very engaging."

Leadership

Becky Binder, Senior Director,
Content Development, Corenet Global

"Mark is a fabulous speaker who really connects to the audience. At our CoreNet Global Summit, he spoke on "Creating the Greatest Workplace Culture in the World". The delegates were so engaged and gave him a of 92% which is hard to attain. Mark was a pleasure to work with before, during and after the Summit. He went the extra mile to prepare a brilliant presentation and he was exceptionally well received."

Marissa Alley,
Chief People Officer, Orica

"Mark addressed our senior leaders on how to create a world-class culture. Mark has a unique ability to combine story-telling, humour, media and rich evidence based research to bring the topic to life. I would recommend Mark as a great key note speaker to any company looking to provide their leaders with both fresh inspiration and substance to drive employee motivation."

culture

"Through is words and stunning images, Mark is a masterful storyteller"

Tony Wheeler,
Creator Of The Lonely Planet 

Ruben Montiel
Internal Host, Explora Jouneys

"Mark offered our discerning travellers his insights as a leadership expert, storyteller and travel writer. Our guests felt uplifted through Mark sharing his experiences with his excellent communication and storytelling skills. Mark is warm, humorous and easy to work with, which makes him the perfect speaker for events and enrichment programs like ours."

Francesc Miralles,
Author Of Ikigai

"Mark is a wonderfully vivid storyteller. Many of the stories which he captured and shared, contain truths for living a simple, happy and purposeful life."

STORYTELLING