Your Field of Dreams

This week, I found myself deeply moved by a documentary series on BBC iPlayer called Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams.

If you’re not familiar, it’s the story of former England cricketer Freddie Flintoff, who took on the challenge of transforming a group of young lads from his hometown of Preston—none of whom had ever played cricket seriously—into a competitive team.

His goal?

To show that greatness in cricket (often dominated by those from private schools) can come from anywhere.

But what struck me most wasn’t just the story of these boys learning to play cricket, it was Freddie’s own journey.

Just before he was set to take these boys on a tour to India, where cricket is more than a sport—it's a way of life—Freddie suffered a life-threatening crash while filming for Top Gear.

The injuries were severe, and the psychological aftermath left him struggling with anxiety, making it difficult to even leave his home.

Yet, despite these challenges, Freddie found the strength to fulfil his commitment to those boys.

He took them to India, where they not only learned about cricket but also about life, resilience, and the power of pushing through adversity.

And this got me thinking about our roles as business owners.

We, too, have the incredible opportunity to create life-changing experiences for the people we employ.

Just like Freddie, who used cricket to open doors for those boys, you can use your businesses to open doors for your employees.

When you hire someone, you’re not just filling a position—you’re offering them a chance to grow, to develop skills they might not have known they had, and to become part of something bigger than themselves.

Whether it's teaching someone the intricacies of customer service, how to manage a team, or even just the confidence to take the next step in their career, you’re in a position to make a real impact on their lives.

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, especially when you’re running a business.

But let’s not forget the bigger picture.

Just like Freddie, you have the power to inspire, to guide, and to make a difference—not just in your businesses but in the lives of the people you work with every day.

So, this week, I encourage you to think about the impact you’re making.

Who are you mentoring?

How are you helping your team grow, not just in their roles but as individuals?

It’s in these moments that we, too, can create our own ‘Field of Dreams’.

Something for us all to think about.

Have a great week.

Mark