S4E3 David McQueen

The Longest Day Podcast

On this week’s episode, have a listen to the conversation between Leah and David McQueen on his longest day and how he learnt how even if there are things beyond his control, he can manage the ones that are within it. It was a day when he and his wife, as ethnic minorities, experienced a lack of care in the maternity hospital. Calmly, he told the doctors of the need of his wife who was suffering immensely from the pain to have a C-section. Once the professionals decided to give David’s wife a C-section and the baby was born, he realised the power of life and the importance of cherishing it. He understood that life sometimes throws you curved balls but it’s how we respond that makes us who we are.
Through that day, David wants to be present around the wellbeing of his children. It gave him opportunities for conversations with other fathers on the question of how they could challenge the notions around being black fathers.
His experience of nurturing his daughters made him see, as a leadership coach, that his clients are individuals with emotions and a lot on their minds. He finds out about how they present based on their answers to how they are with their friends and family.
From his parenting and coaching, David has learnt to have a sense of distance, to have the courage to ask questions that challenge, and to help them navigate their way through difficulties. Ultimately, he comes from a place of love, nurture, and care.