Current role: Managing Director & Founder
Current organisation: Beacon Consult
Last role at PwC: Director, Consulting
Time at PwC: 6 years
What’s the one career achievement you’re most proud of?
It was back in 2009 when the tragic Black Saturday Bushfires occurred; I’d been at PwC for a year. Victoria was in crisis and PwC offered a pro-bono team to support the state in setting up the Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority. As part of a team of six, I helped establish the Donations Management function to equitably distribute the amazing volume of donations to over 2,000 people impacted. I set up a talented team, and together we designed the function, processes and a system to efficiently support those in trauma as quickly as possible. It was a team effort, which showed what could be achieved across the public and private sector, and culminated in an award from the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) for Innovation in Policy Development.
What’s been your biggest career challenge and how have you overcome it?
A big career milestone for me was satisfying a long term ambition to work in South East Asia. In 2013 myself and my young family relocated to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. About five days before our scheduled departure, my mother had a significant stroke and she passed away two weeks later. On the back of that I had to relocate with my family to a new country, to a new organisation and onto the biggest program of work I have ever worked on in my career. It wasn’t until 12 months later that I could appreciate the impact that these layers of stress had on me and those around me, but also the stores of resilience I had.
How were you involved in Malaysia Airlines’ transformation after the twin aviation disasters of MH17 and MH370 and what was your biggest learning?
I started the story above with our move to KL. On my first day, I was tasked with working on the transformation of Malaysia Airlines. This was only five weeks after the second plane, MH17, was shot down over Ukraine. My role was heading up the stream for Change and Communications, and working with an organisation going through such trauma was beyond unique. This was the largest program in the world for that firm (EY) at the time. I learnt so much over the year that I worked there. The biggest learning was working with truly culturally, ethnically and religiously diverse teams. Malaysia has a lot of complexity across those dimensions, then throwing in foreign resources from Europe, the Americas and Oceania, I gained a much deeper appreciation for the nuances of communication and engagement.
What do you consider the top three skills or qualities today’s leaders require to succeed in a rapidly changing world?
1. As the conversation on the impact of AI gets louder, I think it’s more important than ever we focus on what makes us human and how we engage with each other. With that, I consider empathy to be critical for all leaders to understand each other and engage effectively.
2. Secondly, a leader's ability to adapt. Great leaders can lead beyond the technical, maintaining flexibility in response to dynamic challenges of today’s world.
3. Finally as Patrick Lencioni says, it’s all about clarity, clarity, clarity. If a leader can be clear about their vision, and how an individual or their team’s work connects to that, that will drive enhanced engagement, performance and overall culture.
In your experience, what are the most common gaps that hamper business growth?
Growing organisations have so much going on, it may not be long before they descend into chaos. And this isn’t unusual. My advice for clients starts with getting clear on their strategy. And I don’t mean some extensive, comprehensive document often found in larger corporates. A one page that is understood across the organisation, that leaders and teams connect their work to is ideal. I’m a massive believer in great leadership and leadership teams. With a strategic direction in mind, ensure that you have the right leadership team in place to move through today but ready for the next 1-2 years (at least). As an organisation grows, it is entirely acceptable that leaders at the start of the journey are not suitable as time goes on. And this can start with the founder or CEO. Having courageous conversations early on can cause a lot less pain down the track.
Given your work across continental Europe, China and SouthEast Asia, how does Australia’s performance culture compare?
They are all quite different cultures and I was exposed to them at different points of my career. Europe is more culturally similar to Australia, however countries within Europe vary so much. Generally, I would say the work ethic is similar (give or take a siesta here or there). China’s business landscape was transforming when I worked there in the 90s and there was a lot of focus on relationships and saving face. I’m sure performance was as a result of very, very directive leadership! Malaysia specifically is probably a blend of the above. Success was measured in hours of effort, rather than output. So those stories you’ve heard of teams staying until their manager leaves – it’s true! I have always loved coaching as a leader, so my team in Malaysia responded well to being empowered, and I hope that has had a lasting impact on their careers for what is possible.
You worked in multiple Big 4 consulting firms before making the transition to opening your own consultancy. What’s the one piece of advice you wish you had been given at the time of starting your own business?
There’s a lot of fear that comes with starting your own business and uncertainty around where clients will come from. Only recently have I been advised to get really, really clear around my market niche, and focus on that relentlessly. I was trying to be all things to all people, which may mean your marketing is connecting with no one. But the hard lessons learnt along the way are also priceless, so I’m happy to have pursued this path.
If you could have dinner with three people - dead or alive - who would they be and why?
1. Angela Merkel, former German Chancellor: An amazing leader I believe, and someone who, for 16 years, could so successfully lead her country, be a stabilising force in Europe and across the world. Current (and potential) world leaders today take note!
2. Hanya Yanagihara, author of A Little Life: To meet the person behind the words of the most impactful book I have ever read.
3. Ron Clarke, former Olympic runner: To discuss not only his Olympic achievements, but what it was like to run into the MCG to a roaring crowd in 1956 with the Olympic flame.
What’s one thing about you that might surprise people?
I have a couple of strange obsessions. One of them is the Olympics, and this year is Paris 2024! I’ve been to several Olympics, I’ve worked as a volunteer at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics with the Australian Athletes and even my 50th birthday party had an Olympics theme. Too much going on this year for Paris, so my next target to attend a games is LA 2028.
