FOR VETERANS

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

In 2015, when I embarked on the journey of Leadership Forces, I delved into the wisdom of "The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People," a transformative read that has profoundly shaped my perspective. The first habit challenged me to compose my eulogy from the viewpoints of a family member, a friend, a colleague, and a community member. While I felt assured in crafting the first three, articulating my positive impact on 'my community' proved to be a ponderous task.

Upon reflection, I recognized that I had unwittingly succumbed to the notion that 'giving back' was a venture reserved for retirement. The flaw in this philosophy lies in its reliance on the assumption of living to retirement; in reality, none of us can predict the number of days ahead. The peril of adopting a 'work now, give back later' mindset is that if one meets their end before retirement, the opportunity to contribute significantly to others is foregone. Motivated by this realization, I am actively redefining the structure of my organization to incorporate a 'give back' ethos into the fabric of our daily operations. I firmly believe that a successful business not only generates profit but also plays a pivotal role in enhancing the world without the sole expectation of financial returns.

In finding inspiration from the founders of The Black Rifle Coffee Company, I am committed to implementing a similar model within Leadership Capital. My vision is anchored in the conviction that our business can simultaneously support the achievement of two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education (Goal 4) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8).

To translate this commitment into action, we have decided to participate in the Heropreneurs Mentoring Programme. By engaging with this program, we aim to provide mentorship and guidance to three individuals with solid business propositions, as part of our broader initiative to contribute to sustainable development. The Heropreneurs Mentoring Programme serves former and current service personnel, along with their families, by pairing them with industry leaders and accomplished entrepreneurs. This collaboration aims to offer valuable commercial insights and guidance for the development of new products, services, or businesses. For those interested in participating or learning more about this initiative, the application form and additional details can be accessed through the following link.

In 2015, when I embarked on the journey of Leadership Forces, I delved into the wisdom of "The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People," a transformative read that has profoundly shaped my perspective. The first habit challenged me to compose my eulogy from the viewpoints of a family member, a friend, a colleague, and a community member. While I felt assured in crafting the first three, articulating my positive impact on 'my community' proved to be a ponderous task.

roderic-yapp

Upon reflection, I recognized that I had unwittingly succumbed to the notion that 'giving back' was a venture reserved for retirement. The flaw in this philosophy lies in its reliance on the assumption of living to retirement; in reality, none of us can predict the number of days ahead. The peril of adopting a 'work now, give back later' mindset is that if one meets their end before retirement, the opportunity to contribute significantly to others is foregone. Motivated by this realization, I am actively redefining the structure of my organization to incorporate a 'give back' ethos into the fabric of our daily operations. I firmly believe that a successful business not only generates profit but also plays a pivotal role in enhancing the world without the sole expectation of financial returns.

In finding inspiration from the founders of The Black Rifle Coffee Company, I am committed to implementing a similar model within Leadership Capital. My vision is anchored in the conviction that our business can simultaneously support the achievement of two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education (Goal 4) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal 8).

To translate this commitment into action, we have decided to participate in the Heropreneurs Mentoring Programme. By engaging with this program, we aim to provide mentorship and guidance to three individuals with solid business propositions, as part of our broader initiative to contribute to sustainable development. The Heropreneurs Mentoring Programme serves former and current service personnel, along with their families, by pairing them with industry leaders and accomplished entrepreneurs. This collaboration aims to offer valuable commercial insights and guidance for the development of new products, services, or businesses. For those interested in participating or learning more about this initiative, the application form and additional details can be accessed through the following link.

roderic-yapp

Testimonials from Veterans

As the founder of an angel-backed enterprise focused on pioneering massive IoT SMART security locking solutions for outdoor high-value items, my journey has been shaped by a series of pivotal experiences. At the age of 17, I joined and served with the Royal Marines from 2004 to 2009, before embarking on a path toward a career in medicine. These experiences have instilled in me a profound appreciation for leadership, teamwork and innovation, laying the groundwork for my entrepreneurial pursuits.Seeking to further hone my leadership skills and entrepreneurial acumen, I reached out to Rod via LinkedIn. We had a brief conversation where I outlined what I was looking for in terms of help and support. Rod, an advocate for veterans through the Heropreneurs program, graciously extended his mentorship, one of three mentees spaces. This collaboration has proven invaluable, providing me with invaluable insights into effective leadership and entrepreneurial strategy.Under Rod's guidance, I've undergone a profound transformation, gaining newfound clarity in my capabilities and a deeper understanding of my intrinsic values. Crucially, I've come to appreciate the nuanced dynamics of team dynamics, recognising the importance of individual personalities and effective communication in fostering collective success. This paradigm shift has reshaped my conception of leadership, emphasising empathy, collaboration, clarity and a commitment to collective growth over traditional notions of hierarchical authority.
Dr Matthew Leach, Founder, Geotekk
I was matched with Roderic through the Heropreneurs Mentoring programme. Rod and I have had a series of conversations that have helped me understand what I need to do to set up my own consulting business.He has listened carefully and provided thoughtful advice and guidance based on a good understanding of my situation. One of the things he does that has been really helpful is his willingness to share his mistakes and the lessons he’s learnt along the way. This has given me the sense that whilst the road to achieving my goal might be a bit bumpy, I too can do it.I am really grateful for his time and help and would recommend him to anyone who is looking for some support in starting a business.
Lou O’Connell, Entrepreneur