Testimonials

Video testimonial

1:1 Executive Coaching Testimonials

“The gap between my external world and inner self is closing.”

Nicholas, former General Manager in Greater China

Retreats and workshops

Retreat & Workshop Testimonials

Raf Adams & Co delivered a "vision and values" workshop to the senior Sales & Marketing Team for IHG plc Greater China. The session was stimulating, highly-engaging and participative - delivering a high-quality output across a diverse and multi-cultural team.

Nick Barton, Senior Vice President Intercontinental Hotels GroupNick BartonSenior Vice President Intercontinental Hotels Group

Raf’s workshop on “Leadership from Within” was quite inspiring and refreshing ! It made me ponder on my authentic self, my purpose, and how to let go to enjoy more of work and life.

Dechun Fu, Managing Director of BYK Greater ChinaDechun FuManaging Director of BYK Greater China

Raf conducted a training for my leadership team on the subject “leading from within”. The training was delivered with top quality, and was well received by my team.

Hengming Yang, President of BP ChinaHengming YangPresident of BP China

Raf is an impressive, intense young man, a coach with his own model of life, which works well and opens new avenues of thinking in a positive way, even for the very experienced, without endangering the personality of his clients: integrity and ethics are part of the service. I encountered a very good experience with Raf and would advise anyone to spend the time required to do the same.

Thierry Laurent, Vice President European Chamber of Commerce ShanghaiThierry LaurentVice President European Chamber of Commerce Shanghai

Raf is one of those rare, humble souls whom has had the purposeful advantage of catching a glimpse of what a fulfilling, happy life can be and now wants to share it with those of use who get too busy to pay attention. His workshop is the perfect balance of team collaboration, self-reflection, spiritual sensitivity, practical applications, simplicity and profundity that will inspire you to take charge of your life, the purpose it will serve and the joy that can be felt along the way.

Amena Lee Schlaikjer, Founder at The Wellness WorksAmena Lee SchlaikjerFounder at The Wellness Works

I enjoyed « The Suited Monk » 2 day workshop, and think it blends very well into my coaching career learning.  Raf leads the workshop in a very interactive and sharing manner, which makes the participants open up and understand better with real life examples, whilst making one reflect and raise self awareness.

Catarina, FounderCatarinaFounder

Raf has shown his deep understanding on what is purpose of life, and how to pursue it with heart. I enjoyed the whole program and was very much inspired by the creative way of visualizing life vision. Raf was able to create an open and welcoming environment in his program. I admire Raf who takes lots of effort to make it happen, to help people taking care of themselves from both mind and heart, in both external world and inner world, with respect on both individual and society. It is more than just a program...

Tina Li, HR Leader AppleTina LiHR Leader Apple

I did enjoy the 2-day workshop by Raf, which inspired participants to seek the power from within to lead both their life and their work. I appreciate the true life story and the apperception shared by Raf. Wish you a successful and beautiful future!

Keera Zhang, Senior HR Director Greater China PepsicoKeera ZhangSenior HR Director Greater China Pepsico

Raf is an extraordinary human being who found his true purpose in life at a very early stage and he makes full use of his high state of consciousness. Raf is not teaching from any text book - he took every step he talks about. It is wondrous how universal his teachings applied to my life. The insights which his two day workshop "Leading from within" yielded for me demand radical changes in my life and have given me the courage to make them happen. I now have an authentic inner voice that I can rely on in any situation. No more doubts and wrong decisions. Raf connected me with my inner child and I now feel whole and complete. Long lost childhood memories are coming back and I am ease with myself and my business - my whole life situation seams to be perfect. I now have a heartfelt understanding of myself and made a promise to myself to take good care of me - in order to be able to give to others. Having Raf in my life is a blessing and his workshops have priceless value to me. I highly recommend anyone to allow yourself to receive Raf's gift!

Frank Steffen, Founder Pure & WholeFrank SteffenFounder Pure & Whole

The feedback from all our participants on Suited Monk workshop is very positive, although it's only half day, we felt it's a little bit short, we would like to conduct 1-2 days workshop for all our China Operations managers in the near future. Through this workshop, it will help you really identify your own journey to bridge the gap between suited and monk, inner and external world, it will help you to find out the well balance between two of them and then will bring you a more happier, enjoyable and peaceful life, as a return it will provide you an even more successful career full of your passion and love.Greatly suggest you to attend this workshop, it may change your life.

Nuo Ma, Chief Human Resources Officer at Inventus PowerNuo MaChief Human Resources Officer at Inventus Power

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Keynotes and conferences

Keynote Testimonials

Raf was great as a moderator at the HR Executive Summit providing excellent synopsis of presentations, connecting the themes of the conference to content, and provoking thought, next steps among the attendees.

Steve Wood, CHRO, Board MemberSteve WoodCHRO, Board Member

Raf spoke at TEDxMonga in April 2011, and was one of the easiest people to manage that we have worked with. He was extremely pro-active throughout the process, paying a lot of attention to our needs and making suggestions where necessary. He was very flexible and positive in his approach, making the whole process a pleasure for us. The talk he delivered was interesting, entertaining, and very well-prepared. A great success! Many thanks to Raf for his contribution.

Chris Gray, Organizer TEDx TaiwanChris GrayOrganizer TEDx Taiwan

Raf has developed a unique model to help executives gain insight into their personal and interpersonal motivations with a very coherent argument that we can trust our heart and "implement with our mind". I think it is only a matter of time before Raf's programmes and publications become world famous.

Dr. Mike Thompson, Director Anthesis GroupDr. Mike ThompsonDirector Anthesis Group

I recently spoke at a conference at which Raf was the conference moderator. I was deeply impressed by the professional manner in which he established contact an rapport with me well in advance of the conference, ensuring that he had a solid understanding of my topic and also my background.

When he introduced me it was clear that he had not stopped there and had done further research into my background so that he could give me a thorough and rounded introduction.

His management of the conference in terms of time and ensuring that the audience had plenty of opportunity to interact with the speakers was excellent.

Chris Howe, Owner Changemaker ISL LimitedChris HoweOwner Changemaker ISL Limited

I had the pleasure of being a keynote speaker at an HR Conference in Shanghai chaired by Raf. It was among the very best-prepared and professionally-led events to which I've contributed. Raf reached out to brief me early, confirmed the session's strategic intent, and reviewed content to ensure my remarks would meet audience expectations. On site, he facilitated introductions, managed time effectively, and summarized each presenter's remarks - creating a cohesive learning experience for over two hundred attendees... Excellent job!

Brian Smith, MBA / SPHR / CCP, Senior Vice President CHROBrian Smith, MBA / SPHR / CCPSenior Vice President CHRO

Raf did a great job hosting the HR Summit 2014 in Shanghai. He captured the essence in each topic and kept the agenda moving forward smoothly. A job well done!

Mikael Romu, President, Partner CHROMikael RomuPresident, Partner CHRO

I had the pleasure of working with Raf at the HR Executive Summit in Shanghai. Raf was consistently well prepared and focused on ensuring everything went smooth. During the conference, I observed that Raf was well prepared. He did a great job of researching the background of each speaker and did a fine job of introducing each one professionally. Raf was also very eloquent when it came to transitioning between presenters.

I recommend Raf for future hosting engagements.

Jerel Bonner, Co-Founder, Managing DirectorJerel BonnerCo-Founder, Managing Director

On behalf of the Belgium Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona, I would like to thank you for your inspiring, interactive and engaging Suited Monk presentation delivered at our Third Business Lunch on 5 October 2022.

The framework of the Suited Monk encourages people to balance career success with something everyone is looking for – happiness, meaning and internal well-being.

This was definitely a great fit, and I know our fellow members were inspired and walked away with new insights!

Thank you and we look forward to welcoming you again.

Thank-you letter from Grégoire Gathem, President CCBLB, 5 October 2022Grégoire GathemPresident CCBLB (Chamber of Commerce Belgium & Luxembourg, Barcelona)View the full letter

On behalf of the China Europe International Business School, we would like to thank you for your inspiring and thought provoking speech “Good Heart” delivered on August 10th to our CEIBS MBA students during their Ethics Day.

It is lectures like yours that engage the audience, provide food for thought and take students to a higher level of understanding. These are needed at a business school where we strive to shape the leaders of the future.

Once again, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule and for being with us.

We greatly enjoyed having you on campus and we hope to welcome you again.

Thank-you letter from Prof. Zhu Xiaoming and Prof. John A. Quelch, CEIBS, 16 August 2011Prof. Zhu Xiaoming and Prof. John A. QuelchPresident, CEIBS, and Vice President and Dean, CEIBSView the full letter

The Suited Monk books

Book Testimonials

At some stage of our lives, we inevitably reach certain crossroads – whether in our careers and personal lives – and this can present huge challenges and uncertainty. Raf’s book gives clarity, guidance and certainty when confronted with such challenges and is a “must-read” for anyone seeking direction, fulfillment and enrichment during their life journey.

Jeremy Sargent, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce GuangdongJeremy SargentChairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Guangdong

“Everyone who wants to enjoy life to the fulliest should read The Suited Monk. Raf’s Life Journey Model is a simple yet brilliant framework to help us understand why joy is not deducted from material wealth and we should strive for inner peace and happiness. Reading The Suited Monk, I rapidly identified my own journey to bridge the gap between the inner and external world, which I will now accelerate to the fulliest.

Peter Buytaert, President AGFA AsiaPeter BuytaertPresident AGFA Asia

The suited monk “speaks” to you. Written in an engaging, conversational style, the weighty matter of finding your life’s purpose has been decoded and broken down into some simple, easy to practice steps. Raf’s life journey model has been drawn from his and his workshop participants’s rich (and real) experiences and this is what makes it powerful and convincing.

Riktta Prasad, HR Director, R&D, Greater China at UnileverRiktta PrasadHR Director, R&D, Greater China at Unilever

It is a delight to meet someone who is so open to, and aware of, what seems to me to be exemplified in the tension of work/life balance: a tension which with many friends of mine has been destructively dominated by work, and an addiction to work. Raf has developed his own metaphors and vocabulary to present this experience in an affecting way. The book is undoubtedly a good start, but it is in his communicating - in the face to face encounter with the individual - that the transformative impact of his experience really comes across.

You will be fortunate if you take an opportunity to hear him, or attend one of his programmes or seminars. He offers both a graphic warning about the negative effects of purely competitive individualism, and a positive example of how to (re)balance your own life or for the lives of your team/employees/colleagues.

David Bevan, Professor CEIBSDavid BevanProfessor CEIBS

Very interesting book " the suited monk". definately worthy everybody to take some times to read and digest. It will benefits both your daily professional life and personnel life.

Cathy Song, Global Talent Development DirectorCathy SongGlobal Talent Development Director

Raf is authentic and inspiring. His book and workshop of changed my life journey in 2011. After joinning his workshop, I resigned and started my new adventure as a life coach and trainer. Now we have been working together for two years. And my life will never be the same as before. I am living a fullfilled, meaningful life with joy, peace and challenge.

Thanks Raf!

Larry Lee, Engineer+CoachLarry LeeEngineer+Coach


As Seen In

The Korea Times
Forbes
The Economist Intelligence Unit
TEDx

Contact Raf today at raf(@)suitedmonk.com with your enquiry about coaching, a workshop or a keynote.

Have a question? Write to Raf directly.

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