ORIGIN
MISSION
VISION
ORIGIN
I grew up on the south coast of England and football was my first love. Legend has it that my first word was nutmeg. Not the spice - the act of kicking a ball between someone’s legs. My dad ran a Sunday morning football team and whilst they definitely weren’t the best players, they were a great team. I was their mascot the day they ‘we’ won the cup. Epic bowl cut, I’m sure you’ll agree.
If Sunday mornings were boggy pitches, orange slices and freezing toes, Saturday afternoons were the real thing. A trip to the goldstone ground to watch my beloved Brighton play. I can still smell the cigar smoke and hear the crackly old P.A playing “Sussex by the sea”. Luckily that’s all I can remember as the football was forgettable..
In 1983, and against all odds, Brighton made it to the FA Cup final. With seconds remaining in extra time, and the game tied at 2-2, Gordon Smith had an opportunity to win the game for Brighton and cause one of the greatest upsets in FA Cup history. With only the goalkeeper to beat, the commentator exclaimed: “ and Smith must score..” Except, he didn’t score and Brighton lost the replay 4-0. They were relegated and didn't reappear in the top flight for over 30 years.
As Brighton lingered in the lower leagues, I moved to Amsterdam where my own career journey took flight. I was fortunate enough to travel the globe building teams and leading transformation at Cisco and Tommy Hilfiger. After 20+ years in range of roles, I took the bold step to leave behind the comforts of corporate life. I reflected on what I wanted to do with the next 20 years and decided to pursue a masters in Sport Psychology. 24 years after completing my bachelors in Sport Science, I obtained my masters, graduating with distinction.
Fusing academic research with my own lived experience, I founded Smith Must Score and built an identity leadership workshop to develop a new, better breed of leader.
And since you were curious enough to read to the end, take €100 off of your first 6 or 12 week performance mindset program with the discount code: SMITHDIDSCORE
MISSION
My mission is simple: To be a beacon for better. To inspire, encourage and guide people towards their own ‘better’.
VISION
My vision is to develop a new brand of leader. One that co-creates a shared identity with their team and for those teams to be filled with people who are equipped to fulfil their hidden potential.
Smith not scoring…the commentary that inspired the name.
CREDENTIALS
I have a masters in Sport psychology, graduating with distinction. My thesis supervisor was Prof. Matt Slater who has published multiple research papers on the social identity approach to leadership and group dynamics.
My Motivational Interviewing level 1, 2 & 3 training was delivered by Hugh Gilmore, performance psychologist for multiple medal winning Paralympic athletes
My REBT primary practitioner training was completed with the Albert Ellis institute in New York.
My sport psychology mentor is Dr. Brian Hemmings, former lead psychologist with England golf. Brian is also supporting me with the ISSP accreditation process.
Prior to founding Smith Must Score I held a range of leadership roles at Cisco and Tommy Hilfiger. Whilst completing my masters I freelanced as a client manager and coach supporting Nike.
