10QUESTIONS with Martin Furber

Our 10QUESTIONS feature asks members of the Freshfield community ten questions about their working life. Featuring client partners, colleagues and FF friends, our guests share some personal stories, views and fresh words of wisdom.

Our latest guest is Martin Furber, a solution-focused therapist and mental health trainer. Martin supports people in overcoming mental health challenges like stress and anxiety and also writes on mental health subjects for several newspapers. He’s also provided tips and advice to Team Freshfield to support good mental health.

How do you like to start your working day?

With three cups of coffee and a bath – I don’t function without either!

Where and how do you come up with your best ideas?

Usually doing a long walk where I live in the hills overlooking Darwen, Lancashire. After about the first 20 minutes I am completely detached from my concerns of the day. This is when an idea may spring to mind.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“Get over your f***ing self” – A fellow therapist friend of mine who says things exactly as they are.

To give this some context, after several years studying and training, I was hesitant launching myself as a therapist. For thirty plus years previously, I had always marketed my business and its products very successfully and without hesitation. After I trained as a therapist, I suddenly realised I was the product. This was something completely new to me, so I asked a trusted friend for her advice and this was her blunt but effective reply.

What does leadership mean to you?

Someone who has the natural people skills to develop themselves and bring out the best in everyone around them, ensuring everyone is included.

What’s your top tip for achieving a work-life balance?

If you can’t find half an hour each day for some self-care, then you need an hour.

Which current or historical business figure do you most admire and why?

George Cadbury for Bournville Village, and the entire ethos behind its creation. I’m also a huge fan of the chocolate.

What is your most trusted source of news?

The BBC News website – for two main reasons. Firstly, I trust it, and, secondly, as far as online news goes, no pesky pop-ups, unrelated clickbaits, or trying to chase your story down the page.

What is your favourite brand and why?

Montblanc – quality and longevity.

What’s the most recent new skill you have learnt?

Everything that goes with being an Instructor Member of Mental Health First Aid England. Training people to support others with their mental health by becoming Mental Health First Aiders is incredibly rewarding.

We all use them… what management jargon phrase do you use the most?

‘Close of play’ – I like to keep to deadlines.