From Rebel to Ranked. If My Parents Could See Me Now
I just saw my name on a list I never imagined I would be on.
Global Gurus ranked me #16 in the Top 30 Communication Professionals in the world.
I opened the page to read about Mark Bowden who ranked #1. He has been a mentor and someone I respect deeply. I kept scrolling, curious to see who else made the list.
Then I saw my own name.
Right there. Just after Dorie Clark. Alongside people I admire like Vanessa Van Edwards and my mentor Ric Phillips. I read it twice. Then I made a noise that was not especially guru like.
You can see the full Top 30 Global Gurus in Communication list here.
The Moment It Became Real
Achievement is one of my Emotional Magnets, so yes, this landed in a big way. But after the initial excitement, what surprised me most was the wave of memories that followed.
Because this path was not polished. It was built through hard seasons, uncomfortable growth, and a lot of self reflection.
The Rebel Years
If my parents could see me now, I think they would laugh.
I was not the obvious future communication professional. I was strong willed, outspoken, emotional, and deeply curious. I questioned authority. I challenged assumptions. I pushed back when something did not make sense.
I felt everything intensely and I said what I thought. Sometimes before I had fully thought it through. Not exactly a straight line to Top 30 in the world. But that intensity turned out to be fuel.
The Chapters That Changed Me
A divorce cracked me open in ways I did not anticipate. Executive bullying and burnout forced me to rethink what success actually meant and how I was communicating inside my own relationships.
There were seasons when I could lead a company confidently but struggled to regulate my own emotions at home. I could solve complex business challenges, yet replay a simple conversation that stung for days wishing I had handled it differently.
Those chapters were not glamorous. They were clarifying. That’s where this work truly began. Not in a boardroom. Not on a stage. In the quiet decision to communicate differently when it mattered most.
Learning Communication the Hard Way
I began studying communication and emotional intelligence not as a theory, but as a necessity.
I learned to notice my self communication and activation in my body before I spoke. I learned that pausing is not weakness, it’s leadership. I learned that listening completely changes the entire tone of a conversation, making someone feel seen and valued. I learned that asking better questions creates more connection than having better answers.
Communication stopped being about sounding smart and started being about building trust and connection. Leadership stopped being about control and started being about clarity and self regulation.
That shift changed my relationships, how I lead and how I teach.
Why This Ranking Matters
The Global Gurus ranking is based on peer nominations, public voting, research, and global impact. To be included among respected voices in communication and emotional intelligence is an honour I do not take lightly.
I’m grateful for the mentors who shaped me, the clients who trusted me, and the community who voted.
But the real reward is still the everyday impact. When someone tells me they handled a difficult conversation differently. When a leader says their team feels more connected and less reactive. When a couple shares that they finally feel heard instead of misunderstood. That’s the work and the win.
From Rebel to Ranked
From rebel to ranked makes a catchy headline. What makes it meaningful is everything underneath it.
If my parents were here, I think they would smile at how Little Sandy’s strong personality found its purpose.
And I would tell them it was worth every uncomfortable chapter to get here.
thank your for this article, keep up the good work