In Spring 2022, as I stepped away from my role as Chief Executive and embraced the identity of “Chief Explorer,” something unexpected happened. Rather than simply changing titles, I found myself uncovering a pattern that had been present in my work all along. This wasn’t just a career transition—it was a recognition that exploration, both inner and outer, had always been the driving force behind everything I create.
I’m often asked which of my books someone should start with. “Should I begin with Values Count or dive into The Inner Fire?” “How does the forthcoming book Precious Jewels connect with your coaching programmes?” These questions made me realise that what might appear as separate pieces are actually connected territories on a single map.
Today, I want to share that map with you—a unified framework showing how all my work forms one coherent journey of exploration and transformation.
The Explorer’s Map: A Unified Framework
Looking across my books, coaching programmes, and tools, I’ve recognised four natural layers that build upon each other:
- Foundation: Values & Insight
- Transformation: Depth & Creativity
- Integration: Identity & Exploration
- Practical Application: Tools & Techniques
Each layer addresses different aspects of our journey, but all are necessary for meaningful exploration. Let me guide you through this terrain.
Layer 1: Foundation – Values & Insight
All meaningful exploration begins with understanding what matters most. Without this foundation, we risk wandering aimlessly or following paths that don’t truly serve us.
Values Count: The Compass That Guides Our Journey
Values serve as our internal navigation system. In “Values Count,” I explore how identifying and living by our core values creates alignment between who we are and what we do.
The key insight is deceptively simple: We can only navigate effectively when we know what matters. When we’re clear about our values, decisions become easier and actions more purposeful. This isn’t about abstract philosophising—it’s about creating a practical compass for daily choices.
Insight Coaching: The Bridge from Values to Action
Values alone aren’t enough—we need methods to translate them into action. “Insight Coaching” explores techniques that help us move from knowing what matters to living what matters.
Through approaches like the ACTivist dialogue, curiosity cultivation, and creative exploration, we build bridges between our deepest values and our daily choices. This is where insight emerges—at the intersection of values and action.
Layer 2: Transformation – Depth & Creativity
With our foundation established, true exploration requires transformation of both perspective and practice.
The Inner Fire: The Alchemical Elements of Change
In “The Inner Fire,” I explore how the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—provide a framework for understanding personal and professional change.
This alchemical approach reminds us that transformation requires both heat and structure, both fluidity and stability. We need the fire of passion alongside the earth of practical application; the air of new ideas with the water of emotional intelligence.
The book isn’t just theory—it’s a practical guide to working with these elements in coaching and self-development.
Precious Jewels: Small Experiments for Big Shifts
Grand visions often falter without practical implementation. “Precious Jewels,” which will be published in March 2025, introduces the concept of small experiments—manageable, low-risk ways to test new approaches and build momentum.
From the Decompression Chamber to Moving Base Camp, these techniques demonstrate that transformation happens through deliberate practice, not just insight. Each small experiment becomes a step on the path to larger change.
The beauty of small experiments is that they bypass the resistance that often comes with major change initiatives. They’re the perfect antidote to overthinking and procrastination.
Layer 3: Integration – Identity & Exploration
As our journey progresses, we discover that exploration ultimately changes who we are and how we see the world.
The Labyrinth of Labels: Navigating Identity and Meaning
The stories we tell about ourselves both limit and liberate us. “The Labyrinth of Labels,” which is still in the early stages, examines how the labels we adopt shape our experience and potential.
From “I’m not creative” to “Chief Explorer,” labels create boundaries around our identity. By understanding our stories, we gain the power to rewrite them. The key insight here is that we must understand our labels to transcend them.
This work draws heavily on James Hillman‘s archetypal psychology and the concept of the imaginal realm—where we can play with and transform our self-definitions.
The Fifth Element: Exploring Inner and Outer Spaces
Beyond the four elements lies a fifth—space itself. “The Fifth Element” will explore how different types of space—inner, outer, shared, sacred, and liminal—shape our journey of exploration.
This work reminds us that transformation happens in the spaces between—between who we were and who we’re becoming, between thinking and action, between ourselves and others.
The concept of liminal space—the threshold between what was and what will be—is particularly important here, as it’s where the most profound transformation often occurs.
Layer 4: Practical Application – Tools & Techniques
Even the most insightful explorer needs practical tools. This layer provides tangible resources for the journey.
Bridges to the New: Navigation Prompts for Transitions
The “Bridges to the New” card deck offers prompts and questions to guide us through transitions. Each card serves as a momentary compass, helping us find direction when the path seems unclear.
The power of these tools lies in their questions rather than answers—they activate our own wisdom rather than imposing external solutions. They’re designed to be used in multiple ways: daily draws, three-card spreads, or project planning tools.
Chief Explorer’s Field Guide: Practical Navigation Tools
The forthcoming “Chief Explorer’s Field Guide” will bring together practical techniques for mapping territory, establishing base camps, and navigating both inner and outer landscapes.
From journaling practices to momentum sessions, from the One Hundred Successes exercise to Imaginary Letters, these tools equip us for the challenges of exploration.
This isn’t just a collection of techniques—it’s a coherent system for navigating complexity and uncertainty.
Finding Your Path: The Three Routes
This unified framework translates into three paths in my coaching work:
The Wayfinder Path: For those seeking direction and purpose, this path emphasises values identification, labels examination, and purpose discovery. It’s particularly valuable for those at transition points or feeling lost in their current situation.
The Creative Path: For those unlocking creative potential, this path focuses on creative expression, inner fire elements, and shadow / light integration. It helps those with creative projects or visions bring them into reality.
The Productive Path: For those optimising their impact, this path concentrates on small experiments, practical implementation, and momentum building. It supports those who know their direction but need structure to make progress.
All three paths use the same map but focus on different territories according to what each explorer needs most.
Your Next Step
Where are you in your own journey? Which territory calls to you most strongly right now?
Perhaps you’re still establishing your foundation, clarifying what truly matters to you. Maybe you’re in the midst of transformation, experimenting with new approaches. You might be integrating changes into your identity or seeking practical tools for specific challenges.
Wherever you are, recognise that exploration is not linear. We revisit territories as needed, sometimes requiring a return to foundations even after significant progress in other areas.
A Continuing Journey
Seeing my work as one coherent journey has transformed my own approach to creating and sharing. Rather than separate islands, I now see connected territories that support and enhance each other.
We might ask, what else becomes possible when we see our development as one continuous exploration rather than separate initiatives?
I invite you to join me in exploring both inner and outer landscapes, discovering the territories that most need your attention right now.
Onward
Stuart Eglin
Chief Explorer
Where are you on the Explorer’s Map? I’d love to hear which part of this framework resonates most with you. Comment below or book a “Toe in the Water” call if you’d like to discuss your own exploration journey.
Coming next week: “From Values to Small Experiments: Why Principles Drive Change” – exploring how our deepest values can be activated through practical experimentation.