The Power of a Chicken Call
Or, crediting Susan Jeffers's message of “feel the fear and do it anyway, make the goddamn call!”
Years ago, I found myself in a situation that would forever change how I view leadership and taking initiative.
It all started with a conversation with an old teammate of mine, a sports psychologist. He talked about the importance of having a good network and how crucial it is to move things forward.
His question was simple: "How do you get people to listen and open doors?"
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Lessons from Sir Clive Woodward
I smiled and shared something I've come to live by—what I call the chicken call principle.
The concept is straightforward: just pick up the phone, take action, and make the call, even if it scares you. After all, what's the worst that could happen? They say no? The world keeps turning, but you've made progress because you did something.
The Chicken Call
I decided to implement this principle in the most daring way possible.
I picked up the phone and called Sir Clive Woodward, who led England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Yes, I called him out of the blue. Why?
It was twofold: I admired his leadership style and knew that one conversation with him would teach me more about leadership than weeks of reading books or attending conferences.
When Sir Clive picked up, I said something like, "Sir Clive, the whole of Scotland is still deeply disappointed in you because you did something outstanding for English Rugby. But really, I wanted to tell you that you were ahead of your time."
The ice was broken, and we ended up having an incredible conversation that led to a meeting at his office in Hammersmith, London.
It was one of the most insightful discussions on leadership, team dynamics, and preparation I've ever had. And it all started with a chicken call—a willingness to make the move, no matter how intimidating it might seem.
Why the Chicken Call Principle Works
In leadership, as in life, waiting for the perfect moment is a trap. You have to seize the initiative and make things happen. Whether dialling up a world-renowned coach or simply reaching out to a key stakeholder in your business, the principles are the same. Here's why it works:
It builds momentum: Action breeds action. Even if the first call doesn't get what you desire, you still move forward.
It defies fear: Fearing rejection or looking foolish can be paralyzing, but making the chicken call shatters that fear. What's the worst that can happen?
It opens doors: Sometimes, all it takes is one bold step to create new opportunities. My call to Sir Clive didn't just create an opportunity—it built a connection with someone I admire to this day.
And this isn’t just a principle for rugby legends—it’s something we live and breathe here at and., we coach the chicken call.
It’s about cutting through the noise, pushing past uncertainty, and getting into action. Our Leadershit Audit framework includes this mindset—stop waiting for the perfect moment because it’s an illusion. Like we say in our and. Reset Method: leadership is about real action right now.
Experiences give us lessons- if we choose to see them.
When we reflect on experiences or even in the moment, we can take away something to share, hold or even accept. During our meeting, Sir Clive shared principles that have stuck with me ever since. He spoke about preparation, adaptability, and resilience, which were the cornerstones of his success with England’s Rugby World Cup team. But beyond tactics and strategy, the real lesson was about leadership: taking decisive action, being bold, and never letting fear of failure hold you back.
Here at and., we integrate these lessons directly into our programs. We get leaders to not just talk about action but to live it. Through bespoke, high-touch coaching sessions, workshops or gatherings, however, you are with us, we arm you with the tools to turn your "what ifs" into "I dids."
After 20 years as a coaching business we've had the privilege of seeing the people we coach grow, excel, and do incredible things. Watching their journeys unfold has been nothing short of remarkable.
Congruency and Consistency
One story that stands out is Kun Feng, the powerhouse behind SR Mailing LTD. Kun first attended one of our five-day leadership workshops over 16 years ago, plus my wife Debbie was his lin e manager in her corporate career. Fast-forward to 2024, WWE had retained the relationship, dropping it each others messages, intersperced with few calls over the years.
We then got the call- to work with him, and his business and we did. We did a 3-day and. Leadership workshop to him and his team. Kun’s success has boomeranged in a way we couldn’t have predicted.
This is what we call a boomerang moment—where the seeds of leadership planted years ago come back around but with exponential growth. It’s the kind of result that takes time, patience, and a whole lot of consistency and congruency.
Boomerang
Just last Friday, while dining at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles (yes, we’re talking about one of Scotland’s finest), I was reminded of the power of congruency in leadership.
There, across the room, I spotted none other than Sir Clive Woodward—the very same Sir Clive I audaciously called out of the blue years ago with my chicken call.
Not every day you get to bump into someone who’s left a lasting mark on your leadership journey. So, toward the end of the meal, I handed him one of our Soul Food cards as a thank-you for our Hammersmith meeting all those years ago.
To my surprise, Sir Clive remembered me, and his wife said, “I remember you telling me about that call.” It was a moment that tied the past to the present, much like how and. connects past experiences with future results in our coaching.
We had a great conversation about rugby, leadership, and his continuing to lead with vision—still ahead of his time. But this encounter wasn’t just a nice dinner story; it reaffirmed something fundamental we teach at and: when you lead with congruency and consistency, the ripple effects come back in ways you can’t always anticipate.
Cornerstones of Lasting Leadership
So as you can see the chicken call isn’t just a singular feel the fear and do it anyway action it’s also about congruency & consistency.
and. isn’t just about quick wins or superficial fixes.
When you work with us, we teach that leadership is a continuous one.
It’s about being congruent—aligning your actions with your values—and being consistent in those actions, day in and day out.
In leadership, as in life, it’s often the things we do with intention over time that create the most significant impact.
It’s easy to get lost in the short-term instant hits, putting out fires and chasing results. But the real leaders—the ones who cut the leadershit and thrive—are the ones who focus on the long term.
When you lead intentionally and stay true to your values, the actions you take today will return to you tomorrow, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. Just like the chicken call to Sir Clive that led to an unforgettable conversation and a 360° connection over dinner years later. Or like Kun Feng’s leadership journey that started over a decade ago and boomeranged back with working with us through his incredible growth in his business.
These moments remind us that leadership isn’t just about the here and now—it’s about building something meaningful that lasts.
At and., we coach leaders to stay consistent, consider the long term, and be congruent with their values. Whether you’re just starting out or already leading at the highest level, the impact of your actions is often felt when you least expect it. And that’s where the magic happens.
So, if you’re early in your leadership or coaching journey—keep going.
Be consistent. Be congruent.
Your efforts will pay off, often when you least expect them, and in ways that reward your dedication and resilience.
Are you ready to lead with congruency and consistency? Join us at and., let’s build the leadership legacy you deserve.
This is what leadership is about at and.—it’s not just what you do today but how your actions ripple into the future, creating connections, opportunities, and growth you couldn’t have planned for.
So, what’s your next move?
The Bottom Line: Make the Call
I want to leave you with this lesson: whether it’s in sports, business, or life, making the chicken call is essential. That one bold action can open doors you never knew existed and provide you with experiences you could never have planned for.
At and., this is what our coaching is all about. It’s not theory—it’s action. Whether you’re diving into our Leadership or Leadershit program or joining one of our Global Gatherings, the focus is always on making the call. That’s why we challenge every leader we work with to think of one person or opportunity they've been hesitant to contact.
Make the call. What’s the worst that could happen? They say no?
That’s fine because here at and., we believe that no isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of your next bold move.
