Collaboration in Action
Doug Manuel is a speaker and trainer, performer and social entrepreneur, who uses his unique approach to help organisations of all kinds build a culture of collaboration.
Hi, I’m DOUG
From an early age I felt isolated and lonely, without a sense of belonging or purpose.
I watched my dad have a heart attack when I was 6, I was sent off to boarding school when I was 8, and my mum passed away when I was 21.
It wasn’t until I discovered and fell in love with the West African djembe drum at the age of 27 that I found my calling.
At the time I was making documentaries for the BBC and I quit my job to travel to The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea to study with the masters. Little did I know at the time that beyond studying music, I was studying people, inclusion, community and collaboration.
Since my initial study trip more than 25 years ago, I have worked with and for the world’s leading business schools to create and deliver relevant, experiential, engaging, interactive and collaborative experiences to boost team performance.
What began as corporate drumming workshops has evolved and developed into a deep dive into the timeless wisdom of rural West African indigenous cultures, and the positive effects that their philosophies can have in our Western boardrooms and beyond.
Better Together
Whether it be tired and disengaged virtual teams, or reuniting fragmented teams in person post pandemic to find meaning, belonging and purpose, for nearly 3 decades my keynotes and workshops have been a force to drive passion, and enhance active listening, communication, empathy and ultimately performance in leading companies and business schools around the globe.
My methodology has been endorsed by the IMD Business school in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Oprah Winfrey called on me to keynote to open her 3rd Super Soul Sessions at UCLA in Los Angeles.
In parallel to my corporate work I created ‘Do You Speak Djembe?’ an award nominated stage show (Chicago JEFF Awards). And I am the producer of Beats As One, a documentary about the cure to the loneliness and isolation epidemic.
My not for profit ‘Lighting Up Lives’, encourages partnerships with rural villagers across West Africa inspiring and supporting local action to solve local problems putting words into action.
What can I do for you?