​SeattleCoach Stories
​"The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are."
​C.S. Lewis
Remembering James Douglas, ACC
(who believed in magic)
​In early November 2018 I got a call from my friend James (of the spectacular SeattleCoach Cohort #24). I knew his plan was, after 24 years at Microsoft, to retire in late October. And I also knew he was on my "new faculty" short list.
But James was calling with other news: On November 5 he'd gone to the ER where he received a fairly routine CT scan. Then, within hours, and with his family by his side, James left with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. As he told me his story, within just a few heartbeats, I'd joined him in the poignant reality that "life is big and life is short and life only moves in one direction."
In the following weeks, James became my hero as he has attended to both his family and to his personal legacy. In January the ICF awarded James his ACC credential.
Cohort #24
On January 24, 2019, James with his wife Jen and daughter Leigh, along with his Executive VP at Microsoft, Tara Roth, spent an hour with nearly 200 team members of the Office Success Engineering Team in Redmond and Dublin (each of whom clearly adored him). He and his family gave me permission to share with you some of what happened that day: James delivered a manifesto and a message. The coachy part of his presentation (below) starts around 19:14.
James passed away peacefully near his home in Ireland on March 29, 2019 and in Redmond, the Microsoft flag was lowered to half staff.
I'm grateful for the heart and courage and leadership of an extraordinary man, and that I got to count him as my friend and colleague.
Again, The coachy part of his presentation (below) starts around 19:14. What followed was the lovely personal interaction James had with the members of his team. ​To the journey then, James. We loved you.