About Michael

Michael read English Literature at the University of London and graduated with first class honours before studying coaching psychology at postgraduate level. He has over twenty-five years’ experience in mentoring and facilitating and has worked as a coach for over twenty years.

As a founding member of the UK branch of one of the world’s largest men’s personal development organisations, Michael serves as a certified leader and certified leader trainer. In addition, he chairs a group tasked with developing curriculum based on archetypal psychology for new training experiences. He also serves on the European board with responsibility for excellence in delivering trainings to up and coming leaders.

Michael is also co-founder of a UK based organisation dedicated to passing on the wisdom of archetypal psychology to those in active recovery from addictions and of particular interest to Mike is exploring how best to develop and implement effective policies to support diversity and inclusion.

Michael says:

"I value working with OMA because it provides the perfect platform to bring my deep-seated beliefs about leadership into a collaborative space, moving away from rigid hierarchies so people can safely drop their guard.

Throughout my career, my proudest moments have been when the facilitation feels entirely seamless and secure, creating a space where the structure is clear and boundaried, allowing clients to feel free to take risks and confront their blind spots.

I am particularly proud of the impactful work I’ve done guiding groups through deep-seated disagreements and personal grief into self-realized insights. Bringing that rich experience to OMA allows me to help clients transition from defensive tension into authentic vulnerability and shared trust."

What does Michael bring especially to his work?

• A calm, grounded and unassuming presence. Clients feel an immediate sense of safety and ease, allowing them to lower their guards and trust the process

• Fearless navigating of resistance. An exceptional ability to receive questions, challenges, or pushback without harshness, making the speaker feel valued before smoothly pivoting back to the work

• Intuitive, targeted feedback.
  Knowing exactly when to offer a direct, straight-talking nudge, a word of encouragement, or a moment of powerful silence

• Leading through authentic vulnerability.
  Modelling the exact behaviour expected from participants by showing up genuinely, without relying on hierarchical patriarchy

• A seamless blend of "Warrior and Sovereign" energy.
  Bringing a highly organized, focused momentum to the schedule while maintaining total flexibility to meet the emotional needs of the room

Client Impact

Of Michael’s work, clients have said: "Hand on heart I think this was one of - if not the best - examples of leadership I have experienced anywhere in life. That is so inspiring to me."

Clients appreciate Michael’s “gentle and calm approach to difficult aspects of the work”and how his “insights and subtle comments help people to realise deep stuff about patterns and behaviour”.

They mention how Michael lets “each person feel heard and seen and valued” and they highlight his skills in fielding and receiving any and every question or resistance: "I felt like I could ask anything and the response would be valuable - either an answer or a challenge to find the answer myself."

“Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to experience Michael’s work firsthand through multiple leadership training sessions, both as a coach and a group facilitator. Michael brings a powerful combination of confidence, deep experience, and the ability to ask the right questions, sometimes challenging, to its participants. Michael excels at reading a room and dynamically adapting his approach to meet the specific needs of the group, making him an incredibly versatile professional. What I like about working with Michael is that, rather than just running a standard seminar, he designs an immersive learning environment where participants walk away with actionable takeaways. He is one of the masters of his art, ensuring every workshop becomes a truly valuable experience. Knowing Michael is facilitating is a guarantee of quality and excellence.” - Louis Roques Workplace Advisory at Gallup

“Michael Irwin is an exceptional educator who brings immense clarity and insight to leadership development. His sessions challenged my assumptions and enabled me to think more cohesively about how I work with people and lead. The frameworks he teaches provided me with valuable tools to navigate complex leadership challenges with confidence. It wasn’t just a standard training course; it was a profound professional development experience. Anyone fortunate enough to learn from Michael will come away with a more grounded vision for leadership and ability to be effective.” - Dr Phil Coventry