Don Darvill · Leadership Change Agent

Better boss.
Far better results.

Practical leadership ideas from a lifelong student of people, business, and the work of building strong brands.

About Don

A career shaped by people.

33 years at McDonald’s

From the company’s early years in Canada to senior leadership and ownership of three restaurants.

Don helps bosses develop their people and build stronger businesses. His approach grew from decades of learning what effective leadership looks like in practice.

  • Started at sixteen: Joined McDonald’s during its early years in Canada.
  • Led employee development: Served as Director of Training and Employee Development for Western Canada and received the President’s Award.
  • Built his own business: Later owned and operated three independent McDonald’s restaurants.
  • Now shares what he learned: Through Better Boss Workshops, Quadrant Leadership, tutorials, and individual consultations.

Personal Motivation for Change

At the height of his corporate career, Don was diagnosed with rapid cycling bipolar disorder. The challenges he would now face prompted him to rethink the way that he would lead people in the future. He would later call his transition into the role of a people-centric leader Quadrant Leadership.

The work

Build the kind of leadership people can grow with.

Don’s workshops and Quadrant Leadership Model put employee development at the centre of business performance.

01 / WORKSHOPS

Better Boss Workshops

Group and individual sessions that help bosses strengthen the skills and insight to lead people more effectively.

Ask about a workshop
02 / MODEL

Quadrant Leadership

A practical framework for adapting how you train, teach, coach, and mentor as people develop.

Learn more from Don
03 / CONVERSATION

One-on-one consultation

Explore the leadership challenges facing your business and the people who make it work.

Start a conversation
Watch & listen

Ideas for better bosses.

Short videos from Don on the everyday choices that shape a workplace.

Don Darvill
The Entrepreneur’s
Apprentice
Better Boss Workshop Edition
LEADERSHIP · PEOPLE · BRAND
The book

The Entrepreneur’s Apprentice

Don’s book traces a pivotal period in his leadership journey and explores how a boss can build an internal culture that makes the most of people’s talents.

It connects the daily work of leadership with the strength of a business’s brand identity.

Download the Original Edition

Free PDF · No password required

Get in touch

Let’s talk about better leadership.

Interested in a Better Boss Workshop, a consultation, or a conversation about Quadrant Leadership? Send Don a note about what you’re working on. Don makes every effort to reply to your inquiry within three business days.

Messages are sent to Don’s email address.