Hi, I'm Paul
The leadership expert making important conversations easier to have - and harder to ignore
Watch my Show Reel
From law to leadership (and everywhere in between)
I trained as a lawyer but took a different path. I built a career working in the messy, human side of leadership - working across government, business, and community organisations.
I’ve been a public policy advisor, managed and chaired community organisations, co-owned and scaled a consulting firm, and created leadership tools now used by thousands.
Along the way, I discovered something: every big outcome depends on the quality of the questions we ask and the conversations we’re willing to have.
Why people bring me in
The leaders I speak with typically tell me they're:
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Overloaded – with too much work and too many competing priorities. They're buried in meetings, paperwork, frustrating politics - and so on.
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Overwhelmed – there's too much complexity and change clouding the big picture. They can't keep up.
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Over it – with motivation running low, many are wondering how long they can keep going.
If that sounds like you or your team, let's chat.
I help leaders and teams get traction on what really matters. As a speaker, author, and advisor, I bring practical insights, a fresh burst of energy, and just enough cheeky humour to make the heavy stuff feel lighter.
Work that matters
I’m obsessed with how people interact and create impact.
As a young kid, people used to say my "head was in the clouds" - and it still is. I love helping people think bigger about the contribution they could make.
Today, my purpose is to help create high-performing organisations that make meaningful change and meaningful contributions.
Stuff I've done
Author of Leading Questions: a guide for leading with curiosity in complex times.
the first community engagement podcast in Australasia, top 1% podcast globally.
Creator of the Engagement Canvas: used by councils across Australasia to plan more effective community engagement.
Creator of the Facilitation Canvas: downloaded and used by thousands to run better meetings and workshops.
Scaled a consulting firm: tripled revenue while expanding its impact with government and community clients.
Facilitated 100+ workshops and worked with 50+ client organisations across New Zealand and Australia.
Clients include
Local government: From Auckland Council to Southland Council, plus many others across NZ and Australia.
Government agencies: Ministry of Education, Sport NZ, Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry for the Environment ... and more.
Business and industry bodies: Sustainable Business Council NZ, Development West Coast, Granicus, Building & Construction Industry Training Organisation, plus several consulting and law firms.
Community and health: Hato Hone St John, Hauora Taiwhenua (Rural Health Network), The Engagement Institute, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, GROW Ltd, Whanake Youth, YouthLaw... and many more.
Thoughtful, light-hearted, and relentlessly curious.
I can't help but be highly interactive: asking questions, getting people talking, sketching models on whiteboards, and pulling themes from the group.
I’m animated and spontaneous, adapting on the fly to keep the energy high.
And yes, I’ll sneak in just enough cheeky humour to make sure the important stuff sticks.
