The Story

From BBC to West Africa to the World

Doug Manuel spent 30 years studying djembe in West Africa, learning what we've all forgotten: how to transform isolation into belonging through the power of rhythm.

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My Story

Hi, I'm Doug

The Beginning

From an early age I felt isolated and lonely, without a sense of belonging or purpose. It wasn't until I discovered and fell in love with the West African djembe drum at the age of 27 that I found my calling.

The Discovery

I quit my job at the BBC to travel to The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea to study with the masters. Little did I know that beyond studying music, I was studying people, inclusion, community and collaboration.

Better Together

For nearly 3 decades my keynotes and workshops have been a force to drive passion, and enhance active listening, communication, empathy and ultimately performance in leading companies and business schools around the globe.

The Mission

I created "Do You Speak Djembe?" an award nominated stage show, and I am the producer of Beats as One, a documentary about the cure to the loneliness epidemic. My not for profit "Lighting Up Lives" encourages partnerships with rural villagers across West Africa.

30 Years in the Making

The Journey

1980s

BBC Origins

Journalist & Producer

Doug's journey began at the BBC, telling stories that mattered.

1990s

West Africa Discovery

First Encounter with Djembe

A trip to West Africa changed everything. Communities that moved as one.

2000s

30 Years of Study

Learning from Masters

Studying with master drummers in Guinea, Mali, and Senegal.

2010s+

Corporate Application

Wisdom to Business

Bringing ancient wisdom to modern boardrooms worldwide.

A Life in Rhythm

Doug's Timeline

1969

Born in England

1969

Born in England

1975

Age 6

Watched his dad have a heart attack. Parents separated.

1975

Age 6

Watched his dad have a heart attack. Parents separated.

1977

Age 8

Sent to boarding school. Discovered loneliness despite being surrounded by people.

1977

Age 8

Sent to boarding school. Discovered loneliness despite being surrounded by people.

1980

Age 11

Mother diagnosed with cancer.

1980

Age 11

Mother diagnosed with cancer.

1983

Age 13

London private school, lived with alcoholic father.

1983

Age 13

London private school, lived with alcoholic father.

1986

Age 16

3 months at school in France to learn French.

1986

Age 16

3 months at school in France to learn French.

1989

Age 18

Seasonal work in the French & Swiss mountains and the Riviera.

1989

Age 18

Seasonal work in the French & Swiss mountains and the Riviera.

1991

Age 21

Mum passed away. Began career in TV production.

1991

Age 21

Mum passed away. Began career in TV production.

1991

Age 21-28

TV production, including BBC wildlife filmmaking in Africa.

1991

Age 21-28

TV production, including BBC wildlife filmmaking in Africa.

1996

Age 26

Discovered the djembe on a one-day workshop in Oxford.

1996

Age 26

Discovered the djembe on a one-day workshop in Oxford.

1997

Age 27

First 6-month study trip to West Africa: Gambia, Guinea, Senegal.

1997

Age 27

First 6-month study trip to West Africa: Gambia, Guinea, Senegal.

1998

Age 28

Quit TV. Ran djembe workshops in refugee centres, schools & prisons.

1998

Age 28

Quit TV. Ran djembe workshops in refugee centres, schools & prisons.

2000

Age 31

Pioneered bringing djembe rhythm into the corporate world under "Sewa Beats".

2000

Age 31

Pioneered bringing djembe rhythm into the corporate world under "Sewa Beats".

2002

Age 32

First session for IMD Business School, worked for them 13 times that year.

2002

Age 32

First session for IMD Business School, worked for them 13 times that year.

2003

Age 33

Moved from the UK to Switzerland.

2003

Age 33

Moved from the UK to Switzerland.

2005

Age 35

Methodology endorsed by IMD in "Mastering Executive Education".

2005

Age 35

Methodology endorsed by IMD in "Mastering Executive Education".

2006

Age 36

Franchised the concept to Spain, USA, Italy, Latvia & China.

2006

Age 36

Franchised the concept to Spain, USA, Italy, Latvia & China.

2007

Age 37

Created "Do You Speak Djembe?" stage show.

2007

Age 37

Created "Do You Speak Djembe?" stage show.

2014

Age 44

56 shows of "Do You Speak Djembe?" in Paris in 2½ months.

2014

Age 44

56 shows of "Do You Speak Djembe?" in Paris in 2½ months.

2016

Age 46

TEDx Hollywood with "Do You Speak Djembe?"

2016

Age 46

TEDx Hollywood with "Do You Speak Djembe?"

2017

Age 47

Opened Oprah's 3rd Super Soul Sessions at UCLA.

2017

Age 47

Opened Oprah's 3rd Super Soul Sessions at UCLA.

2019

Age 49

4-month run of "Djembe! The Show" in Chicago. Nominated for theatre awards.

2019

Age 49

4-month run of "Djembe! The Show" in Chicago. Nominated for theatre awards.

2022

Age 52

Created the solo keynote format.

2022

Age 52

Created the solo keynote format.

Key Milestone

Major Achievement

Travel

Trusted Partnerships

Academic Collaborations

25+

Years of Partnership

World-Class Institutions

Doug's work transcends traditional executive education. His ability to bridge ancient wisdom with modern leadership science creates breakthrough moments.

Prof. Jean-François Manzoni

President, IMD Business School

Science-Backed Approach

Pedagogical Approach

Doug's approach is grounded in neuroscience, embodied cognition, and 30 years of practice. Unlike traditional leadership consultants, Doug uses rhythm-based experiences that create immediate, measurable shifts in connection.

“

Leadership is not about what you think. It's about what you feel.

Doug Manuel

The Method

How It Works

Neuroscience

Rhythm synchronizes brainwaves across individuals

Connection

Shared experience bypasses intellectual barriers

Results

Field-tested with 500+ organizations worldwide

“Leadership is not about what you think. It's about what you feel.”

Doug Manuel

Get Started

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A fifteen-minute call is usually enough to know whether this is right for your room. Doug's team replies to every inquiry within 24 hours.

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