Welcome to our new iDiscover Journal, where we will regularly highlight our extraordinary alumni. We will kick things off with iDiscover founder, CEO and Chief of Philosophy Gal Stiglitz!
How do you describe yourself in relation to your work? What is it that you actually do at your work?
I relate to myself as an explorer who is seeking to understand people and cultures. My mission is to bring more meaning, purpose and fulfilment to modern living. With that in mind, I have created The Stiglitz Universal Model and iDiscover 360.
I choose to view my work as an integral part of my life. For me, it is a form of conceptual art, a playground for serving others through my fullest self-expression. I relate to it as a life project, to plan, build and look after a greenhouse for the development of people.
My professional life revolves around the following three main activities simultaneously: Research & conceptualisation, Teaching & mentoring, and Directing & collaborating.
To create iDiscover content and develop new methodologies, I research and conceptualise models and cognitive processes which help us understand ourselves and human nature better so we can become more self-aware and fulfilled.
Running iDiscover programmes means that I get to design and lead meaningful experiences which help us discover ourselves, connect deeper with others and understand our place in the world so we can live more authentically.
Lastly, I am ongoingly engaging with my team members, mentoring, giving direction and collaborating, as well as instilling the culture I would love to see in any team or organisation.
What is unique about what you do? What makes you stand out?
I believe that the following three points make my approach unique.
Firstly, it is practical and impactful. I am combining theory and practice in equal measure so the mind shift is not only intellectual but also ontological-psychological so that the ‘being’ and behavioural part of humans doesn’t stay behind.
Second, it is confrontational. It is putting ‘the question’ and failure in the centre, as opposed to ‘the answer’ and success. It is a framework based on intelligent questions and it is encouraging participants to fail, question, wonder, converse and debate. I also question the model and don’t relate to it as ‘it’ or truth but as a pragmatic vehicle.
Lastly, it is universal and simple but not simplistic. It has a depth of thought and it is multilayered so anyone can engage in it no matter where they are on their path towards development. It is inspired by the greatest thinkers and wisdom of both eastern and western cultures. It is seeking to recognise universal elements and distinguish the cause from the symptoms. Working on the level of the cause means that the solution is very effective and sustainable.
After many years of study and observation, I came to realise that the root cause for many of the challenges we face as individuals in the 21st century is a symptom of our blocked self-awareness and a misunderstanding of human nature.
What inspired you to start iDiscover?
I think three life shapers contributed to me choosing to do what I do. Growing up in Israel, the collapsing of the family unit I created in my 20’s and moving my centre to London.
I grew up in the north of Israel, a fascinating place with a biblical landscape, a story within a story, and in many cases one narrative against another. That tension and richness evoked my curiosity about people and cultures, and a wish to build bridges between them. From a very young age, I was drawn to philosophy, history, theology, anthropology, etymology and psychology, and have always been fascinated by the big questions of life.
My 20’s were years of struggle in my marriage, and in finding my place in the World. The tough divorce from someone I considered at the time to be the love of my life and the inevitable separation from my son Mattar shook my view of people and the world and catalysed a process of reviewing all my belief systems. I desperately wanted to make sense of what happened in my life, and my curiosity for understanding human behaviour increased even more.
Moving to London in my late 20s became a life-shaping experience for me. The exposure to such a diversity of people, cultures and ideas led to my career shifting from the Tech world to the world of Personal Development.
After many years of study and observation, I came to realise that the root cause for many of the challenges we face as individuals in the 21st century is a symptom of our blocked self-awareness and a misunderstanding of human nature.
My personal quest led me to found iDiscover 360 with a mission to serve through cutting-edge human development solutions for organisations and individuals. The iDiscover 360 framework is based on a universal model I created for a deep understanding of human nature and the self, and it is proven to increase self-awareness, emotional intelligence and mental resilience.
iDiscover 360 is offering a grounded and intelligent curriculum that focuses on self-discovery, self-mastery and leadership. These in my view are the most essential skills for humanity in the 21st century, but unfortunately, our schools and universities are currently lacking attention to them. I am very inspired to introduce to people what I believe is the missing part of our education.
What is the most challenging aspect of your work or the biggest challenge you have dealt with and how did you overcome it?
Dealing with a growing business. In the past, I had to learn the hard way through trial and error. When I became self-employed I was very naive and clueless about the world of business. I am more of a teacher in my essence, less of a businessman. I took on to master these skills but also today I find it very challenging that in addition to teaching personal development and creating content I am also the person who is responsible to lead the business.
I choose to come from a place of seeing it as a creative challenge and in the last few years I fully immersed myself in it and it actually became in some ways joyful.
The irony is that what we are teaching is so fundamental to the world of business and we can see how by applying our framework into the way we work and collaborate is creating a solid company culture and it is helping our business growth directly.
I believe that by building a profitable sustainable business with a wonderful company culture that is fully aligned with the individual we are becoming a very interesting and inspiring case study for the World to witness.
I agree with Youval Noach Harari when he says that at this stage humanity will only prevail if we think and act as a global society.
What is your Mount Everest? What would you love to create in the World?
I agree with Youval Noach Harari when he says that at this stage humanity will only prevail if we think and act as a global society. We live in a global world and are interconnected in our issues and problems, so we will need to step up. I think humanity is lacking a compass, and I would love to create a school of thought that connects us with the deep meaning and purpose of being human. Equipping people with the capacity to become independent thinkers that are able to design fulfilling and enriching life for themselves and become inspiring leaders in their industries and communities.
What is the most inspiring thing that happened to you as a result of iDiscover?
My team, extraordinarily talented people that are showing up in my life one by one teaching me important lessons on a daily basis. They keep me accountable and are often making me humble. They are becoming my greatest teachers and extended family members.
What does the iDiscover community mean to you?
I choose to see the members of our community as friends I deeply care about. The iDiscover alumni community consists of talented individuals and high achievers who have bonded through the iDiscover Core experience. I think we have an opportunity to create something amazing for and with this amazing group of people, I can really see endless possibilities of collaboration. I really look forward to our first iDiscover Summit event which is currently in plans for spring 2022, this will be the first time we will create for our alumni an intentional and at large scale playground for collaboration, fun and exchange of ideas. Watch this space.
What is your most sacred daily/weekly/monthly ritual or performance hack that really works for you?
I choose to maintain a trustworthy relationship with life. The combination of clear intention, aligned proactive and communicative collaboration never failed me.
I practice iDiscover GPS daily (Gratitude, Purpose, Service). I start my day between 4.30 am to 5.30 am by meditating on my intention for the day. Around lunchtime, I am centring myself around Service, who am I here to serve and how can I serve more and better. Just before bedtime, I meditate on being grateful for the most challenging person or situation of that day. On a weekly basis, I will call my close family to hear from them on how they are doing and remind them how much they are loved and appreciated.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Malabi, it is a creamy middle eastern dessert with rosewater and pistachio and it is heavenly. Jaffa and Jerusalem are famous for it but you can also find it at the Palomar restaurant in Soho, London. Try it.
Your best adventure or experience ever was?
Crossing Ethiopia and spending time with the different ethnic groups around the Omo Valley was a fascinating anthropological experience that made me wonder a lot about Nature Vs Nurture.
Most beautiful place you have ever been to?
The landscape I have witnessed in the heart of Iceland together with my son. We were crossing the island right down the middle from south to north with a 4×4 and it felt like travelling on another planet. The dramatic and enigmatic landscape of fire & ice and the richness in patterns, texture and colours were just mind-blowing.
Best travel tip or secret location to share with us?
Never stop discovering, the most fascinating place to travel to is within.
What is your favourite quote or the question you want to leave us with?
“People travel to wonder
at the height of the mountains,
at the huge waves of the seas,
at the long course of the rivers,
at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motion of the stars,
and yet they pass by themselves
without wondering. ”
― Saint Augustine