About
I specialize in coaching people to use power in ethical ways – at work, at home and in the community. This requires self-knowledge, self-trust, empathy, and responsibility for the impact of one’s decisions on others. It also requires a compelling vision for a preferred future. I can help you with all of this.
Over the past three decades, it has been my honor to work with thousands of individuals, and hundreds of teams. My clients will tell you that this work is deep, rigorous, and transformational.
I am a truth-teller. Never with intent to do harm, but rather, to help expand your vision of what’s possible for you and for those you lead. Those who carry a commitment to continuous improvement welcome, rather than defend, against feedback.
My clients have included individuals and teams from The Boeing Company, Teva Pharmaceuticals, The Ontario Pension Board, CIBC World Markets, The Walt Disney Company, Saab, Kraft, Nestlé, Pearson, Revlon, Telus, Sony-BMG Music, as well as mid-size and smaller organizations. I have worked with religious communities going through accelerated change; in reconciliation processes in the townships of South Africa and in Canada; and in the peace process in the Middle East.
I also worked with the renowned Basque-American cultural anthropologist, Angeles Arrien, for twenty years until her death in 2014. Together, we taught the perennial wisdoms from a cross-cultural perspective to empower people with practices on leadership, well-being, visioning, and continuous learning. I continue that work through educational programs online and in person. For more information, please go to www.thefourdirections.com.
I am the author of two books: The Only Certain Freedom (a Globe and Mail Top Ten Business Book of 2018, and an Amazon #1 New Release) and A Hundred Chances, Short Meditations on Opportunity, Risk and Probability. I am currently at work on a third book, The Four Chambered Heart.
My practice is focused on your growth as a person and a leader. If you feel the call to step out of your comfort zone into the next expression of personal and professional excellence, send me an email at patrick@extraordinaryconversations.com. Let’s have an extraordinary conversation.
My Services
My Services
Helping You Get to the Heart of the Matter at Home, Work and in your Personal Life
Insightful Guidance
Personal and Professional Mentoring/Coaching
360-style Feedback
Help with Visioning and Strategy
Team Coaching and Development
Relationship Management and Conflict Transformation
Personal and Team Retreats
Client Insights
Client Insights
“My work with Patrick was instrumental to locating my self-confidence and regaining my inner compass. He helped me to put my living and loving back into alignment with my values and essence. Patrick is thoughtful, patient, systematic and wise. He is funny and kind. I have had the great fortune of working with him individually and in a group setting where he led us in a years’ long process of introspection and transformation for mid-life and beyond. Patrick adeptly weaves organizational psychology, personal development, shamanistic and Eastern traditions together to provide intellectual and somatic prompts for inquiry and growth. I would recommend him without reservation to anyone taking the courageous step to break free from angst, regret, boredom, resentment, or fear in any domain of their life.”
–Nina Kjellson, Venture Capitalist and Non-Profit Leader
“In the last 8 years, I have been elevated out of the everyday business jargon and rote approaches to professional development through my participation with Patrick in his facilitated groups and with individual mentoring. I have been challenged to see myself, others, and the systems in which we operate in new and illuminating ways. It has enabled me to reach well beyond what I thought was possible for me and the organizations I serve. And when I reach, I am supported by Patrick and my group which is a miraculous gift in our world.”
–Libby Clark, COO, Bonacio, Inc.
“Patrick O’Neill is one of the most gifted consultants and advisors I have ever worked with. Extraordinary Conversations is a company that facilitates just that: extraordinary, breakthrough, significant teambuilding and personal development sessions that create meaningful and significant change. I would recommend Patrick and his company to any leader looking at improving teamwork, effectiveness, and individual productivity.”
–Paul Alofs, past President and CEO, The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation
“If you are complacent where you are in life and don’t want to rock your boat, Patrick is not for you. But, if you want to grow, be challenged, feel inspired, be reflective, and be anything but bored, then consider working with Patrick! If you want to be fully alive and present to the gifts that life offers, working with Patrick is an opportunity to be truly present…… he sure is.”
–David Friedman, Developer, Senior Care
“Patrick’s work and model of living and leading can be instrumental in any organization, large or small to increase its’ effectiveness and at the individual level improve personal mastery in life in general. I highly recommend him as an organizational consultant, keynote speaker, small and large group work leader for team development, strategic planning, conflict management and negotiation. He is superb.”
–Patricia Reid Ponte, RN, DNSc, NEA-BC, FAAN, SrVP Patient Care Services & Chief Nurse Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Director, Oncology Nursing & Clinical Services, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
“Working with Patrick over the past several years has been a rewarding experience where his approach to the holistic view of one’s life has proven very effective for me. His ability to deeply connect differentiates him from others.”
–Sandy Zweifach, Healthcare Senior Executive and Board Chair
“A good friend, who has been working with Patrick for years, enthusiastically recommended him to me a couple of years ago after I expressed interest in getting life coaching as I firmly move into being semi-retired and an “elder”. Patrick’s unique combination of wisdom, empathy, and directness has helped immeasurably as I navigate to free myself of certain lifelong patterns and take on new challenges. His good counsel has helped me go deep in improving my relationship with myself and with those closest to me, while also helping me manage continuing professional responsibilities. I have greatly enjoyed and benefited from working with him”.
–Rob Fersh, Founder, Convergence Center for Policy Resolution
“Our work with Patrick O’Neill, over years now, has been transformative – for us as individuals and as a leadership team. His exquisite listening, probing questions, and profound teachings drawn from cross-cultural wisdom ways in spirit and inspire us. In Patrick we have found a trusted guide of soul depth to help us navigate through perilous times for the highest common good.”
–Elise D. García, OP, Prioress, Adrian Dominican Sisters
“Working with Patrick O'Neill is transformational. As my coach for eight years and counting, he has helped me transform my professional and personal life. His holistic, compassionate and razor sharp wisdom has unlocked my self awareness, revealed my authentic style, and inspired my own wisdom-filled sense of purpose. He guides me personally, has done off-sites with my leadership team, and I've brought him into YPO Forum. My team, my clients, my business and my family members have all benefited. Each engagement with Patrick leaves people feeling deeply seen, challenged, and wiser. Patrick continues to be one of my greatest teachers. If you have the opportunity to work with him, I encourage you to give yourself this gift.”
–Jill Nykoliation, Founder & Former CEO of Juniper Park/TBWA
Courses Overview
The Four Directions programs, inspired by the work of Angeles Arrien, are designed to support full engagement in your personal, work and community life. These tools are cross-cultural and can be applied in any environment where leadership, well-being, creativity and wisdom are valued.
The Year-Long Program is a 15-session series conducted via Zoom that provides an ongoing community of practice for taking the knowledge and skills into your daily life.
A 6-session Personal Breakthrough Intensive program supports those wishing to deepen and expand on their personal work.
The Four Chambered Heart is a weekend workshop conducted via Zoom that is dedicated to practices that focus on what has heart and meaning in our lives and in our world.
The Week Long Nature Vigil offers a 7-day, 6 night transformational experience on the land in California devoted to vision and our life dream.
For more information or to register, please visit www.thefourdirections.com
Coming Into Your Power:
Individual Coaching with Patrick O’Neill
Patrick has helped people create breakthroughs, start businesses, write books, face life-threatening illness, transform difficult relationships, and recover from personal and professional setbacks.
His commitment is to listen deeply, create a safe space for you to change and grow and respect your process. At the same time, he will ask you to step outside your comfort zone. There you will discover your best self is always available to help you seize your dreams.
This intensive development opportunity is designed to get results. Your program is objectives driven and supports developmental, behavioral and performance goals set by you. Together, you will set success benchmarks and accountabilities and drive results through weekly or bi-weekly Zoom, Skype or FaceTime calls.
In between calls you will have unlimited access to coaching by phone or email. Patrick can provide just-in-time advice, review your work or help you prepare for an important engagement.
This is not a casual coaching relationship. The work is rigorous and demanding. Coming Into Your Power includes:
A six- month engagement
Creation of developmental, behavioral and skills objectives
Bi-weekly meetings via Zoom, Skype or FaceTime
Unlimited email access and additional phone calls
Unlimited review of work
For more information, please email Extraordinary Conversations at info@extraordinaryconversations.com
Books & Products
THE ONLY CERTAIN FREEDOM
The Transformative Journey of the Entrepreneur
The Hero's journey, as told in countless myths, legends, and stories, remains relevant. Internationally acclaimed consultant and teacher Patrick O'Neill shares his personal hero's journey of leaving behind the cutthroat public relations world to create a path for himself while living in accordance with his ideals. But this book is so much more than just one man's story–O'Neill connects the processes, pitfalls, and triumphs of his story to ancient myths, clarifying the common threads of human struggle and illuminating the profound wisdom at the heart of human experience.
The Only Certain Freedom is an inspirational yet practical guide for budding entrepreneurs who are driven to test the courage of their convictions, discover the universal truths that underlie their personal journey, and turn their nascent hope for a more fulfilling life and career into reality.
NAMED ONE OF THE TOP TEN BUSINESS BOOKS OF 2018 – GLOBE & MAIL
Available at select independent book stores and:
A HUNDRED CHANCES
100 Short Meditations on Opportunity, Risk and Probability
A Hundred Chances encourages the reader to embrace the future as an opportunity rather than as a threat. This is the attitude of the leader and the visionary – to meet the future with courage, optimism and creativity. These three qualities alone can be the difference between success and defeat. 10% of all book sale proceeds are being donated to War Child. For info about War Child click here.
$14.95 USD
To purchase this book click here and you’ll be redirected to The Four Directions website.
THE FOUR CHAMBERED HEART
Coming soon…
The Responsible Mentor (Digital Download) $20.00
To purchase via The Four Directions website click here
The Courage to Lead (Digital Download) $20.00
To purchase via The Four Directions website click here
The Flow of Collaboration (Digital Download) $20.00
To purchase via The Four Directions website click here
Skills for Personal and Collective Leadership (Digital Download) $30.00
To purchase via The Four Directions website click here
Character (Digital Download) $20.00
To purchase via The Four Directions website click here
Newsletter
Latest Newsletter: The Four Chambered Heart
Dear Friends,
I’m delighted to tell you about The Four Chambered Heart, a new weekend program that I’m introducing in November.
The heart is held as the key to psychological, emotional, physical, and spiritual health and well-being. Love, located at the center of the heart, is considered the most potent of all the healing salves.
In the Basque tradition, and elsewhere, the condition of the heart is critical to giving and receiving love, and having healthy relationships with self, family, community, and the Earth.
The heart is viewed as an organ of vision and the true source of humanity. Heart work is a daily practice that keeps human beings available to the energy of love.
Anatomically, the heart has four chambers. In the Healer’s Way, each chamber has a specific function:
The Full Heart is the home of full engagement, reliability, commitment, and responsibility.
The Strong Heart is the source of courage, the authentic self, and the capacity to take a stand.
The Open Heart is where acceptance, receptivity and reciprocity resides.
The Clear Heart helps us to be wise, trusting and discerning in our choices.
Unresolved inner and outer conflicts set the heart to its default settings. Fear and pride are the major sources of conflict.
Half-heartedness is caused by burdens and obligations. To restore the Full Heart, we must recommit, renegotiate, or retire obligations that are no longer life-giving.
Weak heartedness results from the fear of being in our own power and telling our truth. We have “swallowed our tongue” rather than given voice to what is true for us. Facing and addressing our fears remedies this condition.
Closed heartedness signals where we have unresolved anger and resentment. Resignation and cynicism are also symptomatic of the choice to close the heart and the mind. The remedy is to face conflict and seek resolution with a commitment to do no harm. Practicing forgiveness also reopens the heart.
The Doubting Heart is connected to fear of making a mistake, feeling not good enough, and mistrusting ourselves and others. The remedy is strengthening self-trust through affirmation and recognition of the power of our inner resources and the positive choices we have made.
We do not see or hear clearly when the state of the heart is half, weak, closed or confused. These distortions give rise to myriad psychological and sociological conditions: low self-esteem, narcissism, loneliness, prejudice, separation, aggression, and nihilism to name a few. It is easy to conclude that the default states of the heart are human nature. They are, in fact, a result of a spiritual disease that affects the heart and distorts our thoughts and behaviours.
With the heart in such distressed states, optimal health for individuals, families and communities is elusive. Instead, the social disorders we face every day accelerate, leading to serious malaise and spiritual decline.
The Four Chambered Heart program includes specific practices for strengthening, opening, softening, and deepening the heart to correct these dysfunctions so that we can focus on what has heart and meaning in our lives and in our world.
I hope you can join us for this weekend program.
Date: Saturday November 4 and Sunday November 5, 2023
Time: 9am – 2pm Pacific / 12 noon – 5pm Eastern via Zoom
Fee: $350 US
To register click here
In The News
