The MAG Foundation is a legacy from my late Dad, Michael A Glenister, 11.07.1935 – 29.4.2023. During his 88-year life Michael contributed hugely to the lives of others through his parenting, work and in his community.  He became a single parent to my brother and me in our junior school years.  In his early days he worked in hospitality and retail, serving others and helping younger team members develop their skills of the trade. Later Michael joined the wholesale food trade as an importer of spice, cereal and grains.  He served his customers until his early 80s. 

He developed the character traits of service, loyalty and respect. In his community Michael was part of the local school on the parent teacher committee and later as a school governor. He enjoyed sailing from a young age and a familiar face at his sailing club. He set up and ran a tennis club evening for 25 years as well as being the club treasurer. Michael volunteered in the local woodland trust and visited those in the community who wanted company, always with a gift in his hand.  Michael was a proud Grandfather of 5 and loved listening to the adventures of his grandchildren. He enjoyed listening to and helping others, and supporting education initiatives wherever he could.

Michael A Glenister

The purpose of the MAG Foundation is to enhance the lives of others through listening and leadership skill development, education opportunities and scholarships.

Together with my brother, Gordon, we set out the guiding principles for the MAG Foundation honouring Dad’s wishes as follows:

To learn of the impact of the MAG Foundation, please see our stories below as they are created, touching the hearts and lives of others.

The MAG Foundation enabled Jane to share her skills and experience of listening with the students and teachers of Namgyal High School, a Tibetan Refugee School in Kathmandu, Nepal. The students (aged 15-20 years) embraced the learning wholeheartedly were engaged and discovered the impact of listening in their life at school. Listening with empathy to their friends and family and learning the impact of interruption, appreciation and asking open questions to learn more with factual listening. When practising generative listening they described the feelings of greater confidence, comfort, interest, empathy, happiness, appreciation, motivation and feeling respected.

“Hearty Welcome Mam Jane all the way from UK to Namgyal High. A beautiful lady exuding all the amazing virtues- warm grace, elegance, soft spoken, humble, passionate active Listening skills coach and facilitator – Enjoyed listening and attending to her session. We are all delighted to have her in the school. She also took two sessions for our Class XII students today. Cultivating listening skills can enhance our personal relations with other people around us, become effective leader and improve ones’ career and standing in community.” -Mr. Norbu Tsering, Principal

“Thank you so much for the valuable service rendered for our students and staff members. Sure, the seeds you have sown in our mind and hearts will bring fruitful results. My students love to see their pictures and remember you.”
-Mr. Tsering Palden, School Headmaster

In addition Jane visited Namgyal Middle School (students aged 5 -15) and spent a day with students in class 7 and 8 together with teachers from all classes. The students welcomed the learning experience and enjoyed our interactions. The time spent together was enriching for all and Jane’s hope of sowing the seeds of listening will continue to be watered by the teachers who also joined a longer session discovering more about the skills and impact of listening to generate the finest thinking in others.

“It’s was a pleasure and privilege to interact with you. You are such an amazing and inspiring woman . I will always cherish the moment we spent together in school . Today , I asked to my children about the listening coach and their feedback was just incredible and appreciating the way you conducted the workshop . They have learnt like keeping eye contact positively and softly while conversation . The teachers were saying that they didn’t even realize the time spent along you . It flew so fast . The content is just enriching and knowing ourselves so that we could improve ourselves in listening and other qualities which is needed to be perfect human like appreciating each other, leaving ego, not to be judgmental etc. Lastly I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and your family for the contribution you have been providing in Tibetan society for many years. Take Care.” -Mrs. Dorjey Choedon, Headmistress

Joining me for the Time to Think Coaching Course in the UK, we hear from two delegates and the impact the training has had for them both:

“I wanted to offer my thanks and gratitude for your support both, professional and financial. I feel thoroughly supported on my journey and met wonderful like-minded individuals all committed to making a real difference. I don’t think I have had the pleasure of coming across someone who embodies the art of listening with the unconditional regard you have for everyone, its heart-warming and affirming to be part of that.” -Shaheen Myers

“What a wonderful programme and four days with wonderful women for the Time to Think Coach training. The ripples from February are continuing into the week and into every conversation. It’s quite incredible. Thank you so much for your kindness, generosity and sharing your experience and wisdom. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn with you and for the generosity of the bursary. I am truly grateful.” -Briony Lawton

Our first recipients from the MAG Foundation are a wonderful group of four teachers from the English College, Prague. The school’s philosophy is person-centred generating an environment where everyone matters. They are developing their listening and coaching skills to generate the finest independent thinking for each other and their students.

Teachers from the English College, Prague

The English College is special. Our focus is on how we learn more than what we learn. 

We are a community of lifelong learners who work collaboratively to not only master the curriculum but also to develop critical thinking skills and consider multiple perspectives. We aim to nurture our curiosity, engage with enthusiasm and reflect on what we learn so that we may develop our fullest potential.

Joining me for the 3-day Thinking Partnership Course, in the UK, the impact of the experience was kindly shared by one of the teachers, Anna:

“I would just love to say thank you for making the Thinking Partnership retreat such a truly unique experience for us. We all felt very lucky to have been given the opportunity to join you in your really beautiful home and to receive the training in the intimate and safe place you invited us in to. Going for the re-energising walks in the afternoon is a genius thing to do by the way and it was lovely to see some of the gorgeous countryside that surrounds your home. I’m very excited about the Thinking Partnership and am really looking forward to working with the ten components in our school.”