I was honoured and privileged to be the Poet-In-Residence for the 2025 edition of Balanceology Focus & Flourish Leadership Retreat.

I was warmly welcomed into the wonderful facilitation team of Jayne Morris MCC, Rosalind Coleman and Kelly Quinn.

As Jayne so wonderfully articulated the retreat was "…a powerful exploration of focus, flow, and flourishing - woven together with the wisdom of bees as our guiding metaphor.

Like a thriving hive, we learned how to honour natural rhythms, permit ourselves to rest like bees do (on flower petals), embrace collaboration, and cultivate deep focus to amplify our impact."

It was a joy to meet these wonderful souls who made up the bee hive and captured the whole experience in poetry.

Marie Munro

Phil Lunt

Emily Jacob 🌟

Kai-Nneka Townsend

Ffion Rees Hughes

Tina Poulsen Hansen

Katie Shorrock

In this series I will be sharing some poetic reflections that would support us to show up in the world as authentic leaders focused on creating the best environment for our bee hive to flourish.

So much more is possible when we leverage all the wisdom in the room, much more can be seen when the leader sparks the flame in their team

Light share

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

What was once a solitary flame

Is where all these came from

A light from a light

So much greater a space

Now seen in the light

That is the power we wield

When our light we share

Part 1 of this series reflected on how a leader can ignite the flame of each member of their team and gain better insight with a more complete set of perspectives.

Here we focus on leveraging its diversity.

I do not pretend to be an expert on bees but I know a beehive cannot succeed if every bee is the same.

A hive is made up of a team of bees that fulfil specific functions which combined together make the production of good honey possible.

A typical hive will have:

Drone bees - Inseminate the queen

Queen Bee - lays eggs

Worker bees - Look after the queen and make the honey

Comparison is a shortcut employed by the mind to evaluate comparative value. While this works a treat for money and other objects; humans are a different kettle of fish entirely.

Each person is unique in so many ways.

Leaders can get more out of their team if they take the time to understand what motivates each one and their "strengths" and "weaknesses".

Make the most of the former while supporting them in mitigating the latter.

Together that kind of teamwork makes the dream work.

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Strength and weaknesses

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Fish in water

Monkey on trees

Tell me about

Their strengths

And weaknesses

If you transpose these

Which is feeling strong?

Which is being weak?

Now put them back

Where they belong

Do you see

what I mean?

Find the best place

For you to breathe

Stop barking up

The wrong tree

Embrace what makes

you unique

Forged by the

Context you've

Grown in

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Synergy

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Synergy of energies

Seeing what could become of these

When they come together and fuse

Creating effects beyond what each one could

Synching energies to create exponential juice

When every part pulls in the same direction

By doing what each does the best

That is the power of synergy

The teamwork that makes the dreamwork

Part 2 of this series reflected on how a bee hive thrives through diversity of function while maintaining unity of purpose (Click the link in the comments to catch up).

I had the privilege of facilitating a poetry workshop where every member of the bee hive was invited to give expression to the poet within.

Having reassured them that the poetry police had been apprehended and removed from the room, the hive came up with this list when asked; What does poetry mean to you?

Spring of words

Moon on a lake

Expression

Soul speaks

Attempt at describing the human condition

Feeling in words

Freedom

Song of words

E-motion

A-livening

The shape and direction of words

Do you resonate with any of these? Share your answer in the comments below.

The retreat was a place to focus and flourish, so I provided the prompts below to activate their poetic honey.

F - Find the fun, identify what lights you up and gives you joy

O - Opportunity to open up the pathway to doing more of that

C - How would you communicate what this is to a child

U - What resources both internal and external to yourself would make this possible

S - Shape and share a poetic mantra that will anchor this intention for you and energise you to carry on

It was a joy to hear the many poetic creations that poured out from the group and gave voice to their powerful intentions to make a difference in their world.

Feel free to have a go and share your poetic mantra in the comments below.

Poetry

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Poetry powerful, prompt, punchy and precise

Poetry a place to process past and present

Poetry for paving the path to pass between pain and pleasure

Poetry the pit for play with infinite new permutations

Poetry putting together the pieces of your passion and purpose

Poetry the melting pot from which to pour out your potency

Poetry calls, partake of the magic of poetry with me

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My project of focus was to create a space for men, so here was my offering.

Connect with me if this would be something that would serve you.

Man space

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

A space for men to

be who they are

The 'who' they are not able to be

in other spaces

Where smiles brighten their faces

Releasing e-motions backed-up

from many generations

A space for men to lay

down their burdens

No longer need to pass the test

mysterious beings set

Imbued with the freedom to express

with no one to impress

Here is that space for men

To be who they already are

Breathe in so much grace

Knowing there is nothing

they can't face

And they'll never be out of place

In this space

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Part 3 of this series showcased a workshop that activated the beehive's innate creativity leading to the release of poetic honey(Click the link in the comments to catch up).

As each member of the beehive continued to craft what they wanted to create after the retreat, there was a focus on infusing them with the belief in their own potency when they were aligned and alight with their passion.

One of the core skills required for coaching is the ability to be fully present with the client. This can often be compromised if we are preoccupied with worries about our competence or tools to use.

Who you are 'being' is more important than what you know.

Before delivering the workshop I mentioned in part 3 of this series, I had such concerns.

After taking an afternoon nap, I accessed my centred state and came up with a framework that allowed me to be fully present and trust the potency of my presence and all the inner work I had.

I trusted that whatever would be needed in the room would be drawn out of me by those in the room. Needless to say, the rest was history.

Alight

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Alight but not consumed

On fire but not expired

Expending but not burning

Energy FLOWing

From a place of knowing

The universe keeps me glowing

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Potent presence

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Presence is more potent than presentation

Presence is energy transmitted beyond mere words

Presence owes its potency to deep inner work

Seeking out and dislodging all those inner blocks

Unleashing that innate potency of your unfiltered self

Presence that resonates and activates those

blessed to be in your presence

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Do you have any story to share about trusting your presence to deliver?

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Part 4 of this series reflects on the power of presence over presentation. Who you are is more important than what you know.

The Focus and Flourish retreat was held at the stunningly beautiful Folly farm on the outskirts of Bristol.

It is a nature reserve displaying all the wonders of nature. It was a wonderful location in which to connect to nature's rhythm.

The food was amazing and the service was wonderful. I would definitely it as a location to unwind and reset (I'll leave a link in the comments below).

Marie Munroe was the early morning walk crusader and the wonderful Rosalind Colemanwas the quiet mindful nature walk leader.

It is amazing what you notice when you take the time to slow down to snail's pace and become mindful of the wonder and wisdom of nature from which we have a lot to learn.

Here are some of my poetic observations.

All here

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Here we are all planted in the same ground

Access to the same resources, side by side

Blooming by the seasons each for our reasons

Sometimes apart, sometimes hitching a ride

Still, we are all here and thriving, enough to go round

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Natures surprises

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Nature is full of surprises

Plants of many shapes and sizes

One tree falls, another rises

One stands dishevelled, the other flourishes

Side by side, none vying for prizes

From the bark of the fallen new life arises

Buds at the ready to bloom in glorious splendour

Radiant with colours at home in a rainbow

When the silent clock strikes spring

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Focus & Flourish Retreat venue - Folly Farm

https://www.follyfarm.org/

In Part 5 of this series, we reflected on the natural wonders of Folly Farm, our retreat venue and the wisdom it bears.

I have found that it is easy to discount the impact I have in the world as I take my zone of genius for granted, because it comes relatively easily to me, until I recently had it reflected to me by a dear friend Heather Egginton.

"Frank is a pure activator of truth, trust and love in motion"

It nourished my soul and supplied some extra wind in my sails.

I recognise that the capacity has always been there. Doing the inner work, including many tears of healing, has unblocked the energy of past hurt and made room for my true self to be experienced.

As explored in part 2 of this series, each type of bee has its task, and they are all needed for the beehive to thrive.

The encouragement to each person is to recognise the significance of your impact, and if you are having trouble seeing it, ask those you serve.

Capture the information in a place you can go to and remind yourself how you are changing the world for the better.

This will be needed fuel to keep on going when you may feel like quitting.

World Changers

Frank Bolaji Irawo

I changed the world

In truth I had no choice

As egg and sperm contrived

To seal my fate

How can it remain the same?

I changed the world

In truth does it really matter?

For whatever course I take

Be it for better or worse

How can it remain the same?

I changed the world

In truth I did try not to

My energy I could not contain

Reaching, touching, transforming

How can it remain the same?

I changed the world

In truth I can choose

Showing up fully

Embracing all there is

How can it remain the same?

I changed the world

In truth we all do

We the veil of flesh no longer bearing

Now at large in stories being told

How it was forever changing

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Teardrops

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Tear drops

Social constructs

Target the tears at source

Till a tear drops

Then another drops

For it is what must

Now there's a flood

Clearing what's stuck

For the energy to flow

Vibrations from the soul

Creating ripples in the world

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What impact is your work having in the world?

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Part 6 of this series highlighted the importance of becoming aware of our impact on our world and using it for fuel to keep on.

Bees are an important part of the ecosystem as they cross-pollinate flowers. There is no guarantee of what may befall bees as they leave the hive to venture into the wide, wild world.

To fulfil your part in the world, you will need to learn how to embrace the discomfort of the unknown and trust your fate to the universe and all the growth that has brought you this far.

For me, being a poet in residence at short notice at a 4-day retreat was one such opportunity. I had to get out of my head and trust that my gifts and presence were enough. It helped that I was in a supportive beehive, which provided ready feedback on the impact of my work.

As the retreat came to an end, it was time for the members of the beehive to say goodbye and venture into their world to go deeper with their work or launch new ventures. New growth edges awaited them to traverse.

There is no shame in feeling or expressing discomfort at your growth edge, surround yourself with positive support and just keep leaning in.

Lean In

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Leaning into my discomfort

Exploring unfamiliar terrain

To dare to step beyond uncertainty

Out into the wild unknown

Expanding my horizon

One step at a time

Everyone as uncomfortable as the one before

Defying the Nay saying voice

Predicting my doom

How fleeting and selective memories can be

It was only the other day it played the same tune

Trying to dissuade me from what was then new

For what was then foreign, I now call home

Drawing from my deep well of courage

Cheerleaders in tow

The universe at my back in case I fall

Regardless of outcome, I will know more

I dare to call its bluff and start to lean in

Beyond that gnawing discomfort

Lies my point of growth

To experience more

To learn more

To manifest more

To reach more

To serve more

To love more

The space of endless possibilities

All waiting for me

As I keep leaning in

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What recent experience have you had that required you to lean in?

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Part 7 of this series was an encouragement for the member of the bee hive to go out into the wide wild world and grow their expand their impact by leaning into their growth edges.

The rest of the series will cover ad-hoc poems that were inspired by events or conversations during the retreat. I hope that you enjoy reading as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

As I alluded to in part 4 of this series, to release poetic honey from the beehive, the inner critic labelled the poetic police had to be apprehended

When last have you allowed yourself the luxury of writing without judgment or comparison?

Poetry police

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Who am I to write poetry?

Who am I to have a voice to speak?

Who am I to release inspiration from within?

Who am I to defy the poetry police?

Who am I?

I am a unique expression of the divine

I am a work of splendour

I am poetry in full motion

I am the one with a voice

To release what my heart speaks

I am the one who no longer denies

the world access to treasure within

I am the one who defies the poetry police

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Share some of your poetic honey with us in the comments below?

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This is a continuation of the sharing of ad hoc poems inspired by events or conversations during the retreat.

I hope that you enjoy reading them as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

I have had my own stories about how hard it is to win corporate accounts as a coach or poet in residence; a sentiment I heard repeated in conversations during the retreat.

I then reflected on the fact that a corporation is made up of people.

If you got to know any of those people and served them powerfully, they would be an ally on the inside that could open the door.

Corporate suits

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Corporate suits in human boots

Striking fear in human hearts

Faces hidden behind keepers of the gate

Ivory towers shrouded in mystery

Human names propped by impressive titles

Corporate entities run on human fuel

Handy vehicle for transporting culpability

Who makes the call?

Who takes the fall?

Who homes the core?

Who reaps the fruits?

Who gives a face

To this corporate entity?

The answer lies in who owns the boots

That treads the path from its door

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What corporate doors are you standing at and who could let you in?

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This final part of the sharing of ad-hoc poems that were inspired by events or conversations during the retreat.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

What lengths are we willing to go to to get a yes without compromising our dignity?

I have had my struggles with people pleasing and desperation for people to respond in ways that aligned with my wishes.

Both of these, I have found over time, are a zap of my energy.

The following were inspired by Kelly Quinn and Tina Poulsen Hansen, respectively.

Keen

By frank Bolaji Irawo

Keen to appease

Know how to please

Put people at ease

Placate any dis-ease

Apply some social grease

To make this space a breeze

That way, no one leaves

A high price paid for peace

As I struggle to breath

Smothered by my stifled lips

Buried under my disguise

Dreams buried under dark clouds

Flares of hope light up the skies

Found love, my healing balm

Breathing it in, exhaling out

Pleasing for the pleasure of it

For those who accept my being

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Clear language

By Frank Bolaji Irawo

Waiting for a clear answer

What is it to be?

A yes or no would do for me

Save me from the suspense I'm in

There was the answer I sought

Plain as day to read

In behaviours repeated consistently

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