Australasian Leadership Institute Free Articles
I am a former Broker Sales Manager and an Operations Manager who is now working as a leadership coach, consultant and strategist across four key areas:
- Leadership of successful teams
- Optimisation of mental performance
- Leadership psychology
- High performing teams
Within these areas, I design, coach and facilitate bespoke leadership development programmes for individuals and teams including managers of all levels, directors, executives, professional athletes and aspiring leaders. My clients include the Delegates of the European Union, The Fred Hollows Foundation in Timor-Leste, the Fiji Sun newspaper, Lakes DHB, Kmart and Foodstuffs.
I am listed by Evan Carmichael as one of the top 100 leadership experts in the world to follow on Twitter.
When I design leadership programmes I draw from my twenty five years of managerial experience across a range of industries in the United Kingdom and here in New Zealand. I am accepted in the MBTI suite of tools and I am a professional member of NZAPT (New Zealand Association of Psychological Type) NZIM (New Zealand Institute of Management) and NZATD (New Zealand Association of Training & Development). I am a published author of two leadership books and I've had articles published in a range of magazines including Lifestyle for Men Magazine, M2, New Zealand Management Magazine as well as having a weekly business column with the Fiji Sun Newspaper. I am the current editor of Elite Leadership magazine.
If you want practical effective coaching and facilitation based on a foundation of modern leadership theories then get in touch via Twitter, the enquiry form below or call me direct on 021 354 831 (New Zealand)
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Here’s a scenario I frequently encounter. A leader reaches out, frustrated, saying they feel more like a parent to their team than a leader. These leaders typically have strong technical expertise and have excelled in their roles, which led to their promotion into leadership. At first, everything seems to go well. But as time passes, they realise their team doesn’t share the same level of dedication or work ethic.Posted: Wednesday 2 October 2024 -
The debate over whether it’s better to be a Manager or a Leader has persisted in boardrooms and offices across the globe. Some argue that strong management is the cornerstone of organisational success, while others believe that true leadership is what propels businesses forward. In recent years, leadership has been praised as the panacea to all corporate challengesPosted: Tuesday 1 October 2024 -
When you hear the word Ferrari, what comes to mind? Quality, exclusivity, speed, and luxury. These are some of the values that have become synonymous with the iconic Italian brand. Ferrari isn’t just a car; it’s a symbol of status, success, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. In a highly competitive industry, where most car manufacturers strive to be accessible to the masses, Ferrari does the opposite.Posted: Monday 30 September 2024 -
In todays fast-paced world, leaders are constantly told to ‘think outside the box’ and embrace innovation. But what happens when thinking creatively isn’t just a suggestion but a necessity for survival? Throughout history, some of the greatest innovations have emerged in times of crisis,Posted: Thursday 26 September 2024 -
If you want to become a successful leader, it’s essential that you possess a well-defined leadership philosophy. There are many types of leaders—some quiet, some loud, some authoritative, some consultative—and the list goes on. When you consider the different types of teams, industries, and challenges they face, the permutations of leadership styles become endless. This variety is precisely why it’s crucial to make clear to your team what type of leader you are. The best way to do this is to have a leadership philosophy that is clear, consistent, and reflective of who you are.Posted: Wednesday 25 September 2024 -
today’s fast-paced workplace, leaders come in all forms, with some leaving a profound and positive impact on their teams. These leaders inspire, motivate, and create environments where employees thrive. Unfortunately, not all leaders fit this mould. Some cling to outdated practices that may have worked in the past but are no longer effective in today’s dynamic landscapePosted: Monday 23 September 2024 -
Work can often feel like an endless cycle. The paperwork on your desk keeps piling up, your phone rings the moment you put it down, and your inbox is flooded with unread messages. To stay afloat, you work harder and longer, pushing yourself to meet your targets. But just when you think you’ve caught up, your boss thanks you by piling on even more work. Sound familiar?Posted: Wednesday 18 September 2024 -
No matter what business you are in, as long as people are involved, there will always be conflict. But here’s the thing – conflict is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, when handled correctly, conflict can be a powerful catalyst for growth and positive change. Whether it’s between team members or between the business and a client, conflict presents an opportunity to address unresolved issues, strengthen relationships, and ensure that the decision-making process remains robust and effective.Posted: Tuesday 17 September 2024 -
As a Leadership coach, one of the most frequent concerns I hear from managers is about how to turn around an underperforming team. Whether it’s due to missed targets, low morale, or a lack of accountability, leaders are often left feeling frustrated and unsure of how to reverse the situation. Underperformance in a team is a challenge every leader will face at some point, and it can feel overwhelming when your team is not delivering as expected.Posted: Monday 16 September 2024 -
In my thirty years as a Manager, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing every leadership scenario you can imagine. From extraordinary triumphs to devastating failures, every moment has shaped me into the leader and Leadership Coach I am today. As I reflect on the moments when I fell short, I realise that my failures were rarely due to a lack of technical skills or leadership theory—they stemmed from a failure within myself. It’s not always about what you know; it’s about who you are.Posted: Friday 13 September 2024 -
Working for yourself as an entrepreneur is a dream shared by many who have toiled away in jobs that offer little personal satisfaction. It’s the dream of freedom—the freedom to shape your own destiny, to create something that is truly your own. I understand this dream because I was once in that same position. I worked in a windowless office in a dead-end job, feeling like just another cog in a machine that neither valued nor cared for me.Posted: Thursday 12 September 2024 -
As a Leadership coach, I often encounter leaders who struggle with difficult conversations. Whether it’s addressing a team member’s repeated tardiness or navigating a challenging moment in a personal relationship, these conversations are often avoided because of fear. Fear of confrontation, fear of worsening the situation, or simply fear of the unknown.Posted: Wednesday 11 September 2024 -
If you ask a group of people to describe an effective leader, you will hear a familiar set of qualities. Common responses will include: vision, good communication skills, honesty and integrity, the ability to relate to others, and the capacity to inspire people to believe in themselves. Regardless of the industry or field, the perception of what makes a good leader is remarkably consistent. So, why is it that in a recent survey, 25% of people reported that they believed their boss was a poor leader? If the characteristics of good leadership are so well understood, why are truly good leaders so rare?Posted: Tuesday 10 September 2024 -
Many people aspire to be leaders, while others find themselves thrust into leadership roles unexpectedly. But is leadership what we think it is? Throughout my career as a Leadership coach, I’ve encountered a wide array of misconceptions that hinder leaders from reaching their full potential. The truth is, leadership is often misunderstood. To be an effective leader, it’s critical to separate fact from fiction and confront the myths that cloud our understanding of what leadership truly entails.Posted: Monday 9 September 2024 -
To be successful, leaders must develop and learn how to perform tasks they may not be comfortable with—whether it’s dealing with a poorly performing colleague or delivering a presentation. This often requires adopting a persona that may not feel natural, raising the question of whether the leader is staying authentic. This is a challenge all leaders face, so to address it, I will introduce you to the thought experiment known as the Ship of Theseus.Posted: Wednesday 4 September 2024 -
In the world of leadership, many qualities are essential for success—strategic thinking, decision-making, vision, and the ability to inspire others. Yet, at the very core of effective leadership lies a trait that often doesn’t receive as much attention as it deserves: emotional intelligence, or EQ. Understanding and developing EQ is not just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation upon which all other leadership skills are built.Posted: Monday 2 September 2024 -
The discussion about how much money you earn for the work you do is the most important conversation you will have at work, yet very few people actually prepare for it. Too often, people want or even desperately need more money, but their request fails because they are unaware of the techniques that can make the difference between their boss saying no and saying yes.Posted: Monday 26 August 2024 -
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a global icon who has left an indelible mark on multiple fields, from bodybuilding and acting to politics and philanthropy. His journey from a small Austrian village to international stardom is nothing short of extraordinary. Through his life and career, Schwarzenegger has demonstrated a unique combination of relentless determination, hard work, and a commitment to his goals. Here are ten inspirational lessons we can all learn from the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger.Posted: Thursday 15 August 2024 -
General Stanley McChrystal, a retired four-star general in the U.S. Army, is widely recognised for his leadership during some of the most challenging times in recent military history. Known for his strategic brilliance and unconventional leadership style, McChrystal’s approach has been studied by leaders across various fields. Below are ten leadership lessons we can learn from his career and teachings.Posted: Wednesday 14 August 2024 -
At one stage or another you will feel stressed at work and while a little bit of stress is good when that stress gets too much then it can have a detrimental effect not only on your work but also on your personal life. Instead of leaving work behind, you end up bringing it home with you, talking to your partner and friends about how stressful work is and before you know it your whole day is completely filled with thoughts about work, you find it difficult to sleep and you find yourself in the situation that you are living to work instead of working to live.Posted: Tuesday 13 August 2024