This week I am honoured to be part of an informative interactive panel discussion with Miranda Mears, Paul Russell and our host Caitlin Baumann from Business Queensland.

During the session I will share stories about the seven bad actors and how to protect against them:

Identity Thieves: Crafty individuals who aim to steal and misuse personal and financial information for their gain.

Foreign Intruders: Hackers from around the globe seeking unauthorised access to sensitive company data.

Extortionists: Criminals who use threats to blackmail companies for financial or personal gain.

Blackmailers: Individuals or groups that attempt to tarnish a business's or individual’s reputation with sensitive information.

Terrorists: Groups or individuals who use digital means to create fear, chaos, or disrupt operations.

Bad Apples: Disgruntled employees with access to confidential information who might act against the interests of their employer.

Rotten Eggs: Individuals or insiders who...

This week, I enjoyed sharing with Rotary Hamilton how a strategic mindset can be used to increase hope and create a brighter future. Although I love working on big stages with hundreds of people, speaking with small and passionate groups of leaders focused on being useful to their communities is equally rewarding.

When Gordon R. McInally from Rotary International Events announced the theme for the 2023-24 Rotary year, “Create Hope in the World,” Gordon explained that the goal is to restore hope to help the world heal from destructive conflicts and to help achieve lasting change.

One of my audience members, Marcel, sent me a kind message today:

'I want to express my sincere appreciation for your presentation last night at the Rotary Club of Hamilton. It was nothing short of inspirational, and your storytelling, particularly your narrative about your mountain adventure, served as a brilliant guide throughout the evening. Your inclusion of the mysterious skull,...

Recently over lunch, I discussed with a woman named Sally, her critique of Rotary's patriarchal 'boys club' culture. While some of her points were valid, it was disheartening to see many men within Rotary unfairly targeted.

Often, discussions on 'toxic masculinity' reflect the behaviour of an elite male minority, not everyday men. Many men in service organisations like Rotary find much of their worth tied to their Rotary roles.

By contrast, modern talented women like Sally seem to have many other avenues to find usefulness and worth in society.

More than a decade ago, I founded Everyman, a monthly men’s group at Broken Head. Back then, self-worth issues were recurring. Over five years, hundreds of men came along. Many were burdened by depression and addiction, and some with suicidal thoughts. Indeed, analysis of suicide notes reveals words like 'useless' and ‘worthless’ being used most often.

In the safe environment of the men’s group, dozens of men...

Why is leadership authenticity elusive?

Being a leader is a role we play. Authenticity is something else entirely.

Today, many leadership coaches and advisors are trying to condition their clients to be more ‘authentic.’ These clients simply nod their heads, but have no clue what that means.

Being authentic to oneself offers us freedom, beyond conditions and conditioning.

Authenticity is akin to beingness. In this state, we are like an unfettered majestic bird with unclipped wings, soaring high.

If we slow down, rest, stay present, calm our minds, and observe closely, we can come to the realisation that our true nature is way beyond our personality.

OUR CHILDHOOD

Children from all cultural backgrounds carry a degree of emotional wounding and bodily closure - a spiritual sense of loss, which few of us escape from until the end of our lives. In that precious moment when death comes calling, we no longer need our personality to save us.

All children slowly gain an inner...

I had a positive day with the Zero Positive (ZP) Team again today. We dove deeper into our ongoing strategy conversation.

I couldn't have asked for a more passionate team to work with.

ZP is on a successful mission to provide precise, data-driven climate change solutions to measure CO2 emissions and promote awareness and behavioural change.

In today's world, where greenwashing is losing credibility, and climate change costs are on the rise, ZP is gaining significant interest, investment and sales.

ZP have shifted my understanding of our grave human impacts and how ZP can help the most responsible of corporates measure and correct their course.

These words from 4 years ago ring truer today than ever:

“You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are at the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal...

Scenic Rim Business Awards 

I am honoured to be appointed as a Judge for the upcoming Scenic Rim Business Awards, an event that celebrates business excellence across the Scenic Rim.

Queensland’s Scenic Rim is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, wineries, art galleries, bushwalking trails, equine facilities, agriculture, horticulture and welcoming rural communities, which include Beaudesert, Boonah, Tamborine Mountain, Kooralbyn, Beechmont, Kalbar, Aratula, Canungra, Rathdowney, Harrisville and Peak Crossing.

Here is a list of award categories along with past winners:

Excellence in Tourism and Accommodation: Tamborine Mountain Distillery

Excellence in Hospitality - Food and Dining: Scenic Rim Brewery

Excellence in Retail: My Country Escape

Excellence in Trades and Construction: Hobbs Building and Interiors

Excellence in Transport, Logistics, Manufacturing, and Mining: Joint winners Australian Lawn Concepts and RV Tanks Australia

Excellence in Professional and Community...

This Saturday, we will bury my mother's ashes near Torquay.

August and September have been challenging months for Dad, my sisters and I since Mum’s passing, but the outpouring of love and support from so many people has been truly heartwarming.

First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our family, relatives and dear friends. Your unwavering support, comforting words and gentle presence have been a source of comfort and renewed strength for us during this time of grief.

Neighbours and colleagues alike have all been kind and understanding.

To the healthcare professionals and caregivers at Epworth Hospital who provided exceptional care to my mother during her final week, we are indebted to you. Your compassion made her final journey more comfortable.

The Torquay Unity Church and Reverend Bob Thomas were pillars of support at our time of sorrow and at the funeral. The team from Kings Funerals was always kind, flexible, and professional in their care.

Lastly, to...

Announcing two exciting Grants-Funded-Programs for Small Businesses.

Are you the driving force behind a Queensland business of 2 to 19 dedicated individuals?

If so, you can elevate your business with one of John Hale’s two programs that will:

•   Amplify Turnover, Profit, and Employment
•   Elevate Business Confidence and Skills
•   Strengthen Business Resilience and Long-Term Sustainability

The Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training's (DYJESBT) boost grant initiative, is offering a substantial $10,000 to $20,000 in funding!

This involves three-stage application process:

Stage 1: Registration of Interest (ROI) - September 6th to September 12th, 2023.

Stage 2: Comprehensive Application - September 20th to October 10th, 2023.

Stage 3: Submission of Verified Accountant's Letter.

To apply please visit  www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/business-boost

PROGRAMS

In alignment with the Business...

This week I had the pleasure of facilitating the second of three strategy sessions with Zero Positive, using The Strategy Book as a resource.
 
In our first session, last month, we addressed the most important strategy question of all, “What is really going on here?” We sensed the environment and looked beyond the horizon to paint a clear and at times bleak picture of our world’s repeated feeble attempts to address climate change.
 
Our second session yesterday addressed the second most important strategy question, “What are our options?”
 
Working individually and then in groups we fleshed out some cool options for the business. Creative juices were still flowing today when one of the group members shared an idea she had overnight for creating a climate friendly kitchen and inviting Al Gore to share a meal with Zero Positive’s Founders, Alliance Partners, and Volunteers.
 
She also shared that she has been reading a great book called...