As a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Teacher, and Speaker, Bill Wilson offers workshops, seminars, keynote speaking, and coaching to boost personal and professional growth through the study and practical application of proven leadership methods. By working together, Bill helps clients and their teams or organizations move in the desired direction to reach their goals. With extensive experience in sales, marketing, and clinical operations, Wilson is passionate about driving positive change and helping companies supercharge their productivity and achieve outstanding results through enhanced cross-functional communication and teamwork.
1. What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative. [Please also share your goals, interests, and role models].
I was born and raised in the UK. After graduating college as a healthcare professional, I moved to South Africa to work in a hospital. I met my wife and stayed there for 13 years, during which I transitioned from the clinical side of healthcare to the commercial side as a Product Manager for a medical device company. I was working for an Israeli company and spent some time in Israel before relocating to the USA. I’ve been privileged to work and travel extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Southern Africa, and the Americas. I’ve also had the fortune to experience different functions in different types of companies, ranging from start-ups to established small businesses to global Fortune 100 companies.
These diverse experiences, both geographically from living and working in different cultures and functionally from working in different roles in various companies, drive my passion to help people value the differences in others.
I am also an avid sports nut. I see sports as a way to bring people together and share common interests. I was born in Liverpool and am a passionate follower of Liverpool Football Club (YNWA). I’m also quite comfortable discussing the latest developments in the cricket (or rugby) world, or talking to someone about yesterday’s NFL game.
I am also an avid follower of John Maxwell and all that he stands for in making the world a better place by valuing others and encouraging them to grow.
2. Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
In the early nineties, I was living in Israel, working for an Israeli company. I was being trained to be the Sales & Marketing leader for an expansion into China, based out of the Hong Kong office. I literally had a lease agreement for an apartment in Hong Kong ready to go, and I was pretty close to moving there when something happened that completely changed my journey. I’ll never forget this day.
I was sitting in a business meeting in the corporate headquarters in Haifa, Israel, when all of a sudden, the door burst open, and one of our associates ran in and started yelling in Hebrew. Everybody got excited, and they all started high-fiving each other, so I thought, at least it’s a good type of yelling! I asked, “What’s going on?” and they said, “We got it! We got it!” I asked, “Got what?” and they said, “We got the research agreement with UCLA!” We had developed a new CT system and secured a 2-year clinical research agreement with UCLA.
All of a sudden, they stopped celebrating, looked at each other, and said, “We’re going to need someone to go to LA.” They looked at me and said, “Bill, you should go to LA.” I looked at them and said, “I’m a Brit. I’m getting ready to move to Hong Kong. Why on earth would I want to go to America?”
Well, to cut a long story short, God had other plans for me, and two months later, I was in California.
3. Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business/initiative? What motivated you within to say “YES, go for it!”
I’ve always had a passion for developing others. Whether that be coaching kids on a soccer field or training a salesperson to increase their performance, I’ve always been focused on helping people with their personal growth and accelerating their professional development.
I’ve been a student of John Maxwell for over 20 years and even taught some of his material many years ago. When I came across the opportunity to become a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Teacher, and Speaker, I jumped at the opportunity. I have really enjoyed the journey so far and continue to grow and learn as I, in turn, help others. It’s a win-win situation.
4. Everyone has their own set of challenges when starting an entrepreneurial journey. Still, the most essential part for others to learn is how you deal with those. Would you like to share with us your challenges and your coping mechanisms?
Indeed, there are a lot of challenges with any business. The key to overcoming those challenges I believe is to:
- Always have a positive attitude. I always tend to look on the optimistic side of things. Things could always be a lot worse than they currently are or appear to be.
- You need a good support mechanism. You need a network of people that you trust and can bounce ideas off. People who can hold you accountable, support you through the tough times, and celebrate accomplishments with you.
- You need to have self-belief. I am a man of faith and I truly believe that God has a plan for each and every one of us. In good times and bad, I will often just stop and pray, express my gratitude, or ask for guidance.
5. While the global pandemic of COVID-19 is associated primarily with adversities, it has also brought about a true boom in startups, with successful entrepreneurship in many countries. The pandemic has impacted all of us in one way or another. Would you like to share your experience on a personal and professional level?
COVID-19 certainly impacted a lot of people all over the world. I was very fortunate to survive the pandemic. I spent 10 days in the intensive care unit on a ventilator, and I almost didn’t make it. I’m so grateful for the fact that I am still here. I know that God has a plan for me, and I use that as motivation to make the most of every day. I’m grateful for what we do have and to try and be the best that I can be and make the most of every moment because life is precious.
6. Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
One thing that’s important to me is family. We successfully raised two boys and now have six grandchildren, which is truly a blessing.
My boys really helped me understand early on how everyone is different. They both came from the same parents, were born in the same hospital, and grew up in the same house, yet they are so different.
My oldest son, Keegan, is the creative, caring, compassionate one. My youngest, Ashton, is the competitive, determined, athletic one. Their differences were highlighted one day when, as young kids, we were playing baseball in our small back garden. We’re standing in a straight line with Ashton batting, Keegan pitching, and I’m in center field. Keegan tosses the ball to Ashton, who hits it as hard as he can. The ball is going straight over my head, and not wanting it to go into the neighbor’s garden, I run backward. As I reach up, my mitt closes around the ball, I trip over a tree root, get tangled in the swing, and land flat on my back in the sandpit. I’m lying there a little winded, slightly disoriented, and extremely embarrassed. Keegan is first on the scene. “Are you ok, dad? Are you hurt? Can I help you up? Should I go get mum?” Ashton is right behind him and, with a concerned look on his face, asks me, “So, am I out, or is it a home run?”
I just packed up laughing.
7. Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I believe that each and every one of us is created in God’s image, and while we are all different, we do have that in common. We need to understand each other’s differences and value each other for who we are—whether male, female, black, white, or any other color of skin. No matter where we came from or what language we speak, we can all learn to accept and value one another.
8. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
Just keep going—even if you fall down, just get back up and keep going. It’s not a matter of how many times you get knocked down or pushed back, but rather how many times you get back up and keep going. If you just pick yourself up and keep going and try your best, things will usually work out ok.
That being said, it’s also important to have a good support structure. We need people in our lives who can stand by us when things are tough and celebrate with us when things are good.
My personal mission statement is to add value to others so that they can add value to
others. My goal is to lead people to treat one another with respect and dignity by helping them understand their differences, teaching them to communicate effectively, and seeing one another as God’s image bearers.
9. Women are a growing force in the workplace worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women’s leadership today?
Again, I believe that everyone is created in God’s image. We all have unique God-given talents, personalities, and life experiences that shape us. Women are equally capable of being leaders in the workplace. Sometimes they just need to believe that. Not just women, but men also often have insecurities that will hold them back from advancing, and with a little bit of coaching and guidance, I believe that both men and women can overcome those insecurities and become the people that God has meant them to be.
10. With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Find out what you’re passionate about. Discover your unique God-given talents and leverage them. It’s often said that if we’re doing something we love, we will never work a day in our lives.
