I find myself a sought-after International executive coach specialising in assisting leaders in highly competitive markets. I have a great record of creating successful businesses and coaching success stories and have been acknowledged by colleagues and clients in every company with which I have been associated.  With my robust background in international business I have worked with both individuals and businesses across cultures, throughout Europe, the US and Asia, developing expansive international networks and cross-cultural understanding.

Having filled senior management roles for over 30 years, I have worked my way up from a General Managers role in a small manufacture at age 23 to a Managing Director within a billion-dollar international trading company where I simultaneously led projects in Europe, Asia, America and Australia. I hold an Executive Master of  Business Administration from Queensland University of Technology, Graduate Certificate in Strategic Negotiation from Harvard Business School, and a Professional Certificate in Arbitration from the University of Adelaide and I’m a fully qualified mediator. 

“Yes I’m wise but it’s wisdom born of pain” to quote Helen Reddy, whilst I was outwardly very successful, appearing to have achieved the life most men strive for the reality, inside my head, was very different.  It came to a peak when I experienced what was later described to me as “cognitive dissonance”.  That’s the conflict between the life I was leading and who I truely am as a man  underneath all the trappings.  This a totally unsustainable situation that leads to one acting againsts ones own self interests and triggered me into whats known as  Burnout. The cost in emotional, financial and relationship stress has been overwhelming and in my darkest moments I considered ending it all. Fortunately, instead I began a journey of healing and enquiry, a decision for which I will be forever grateful. In time, I let go of being all things to all people and became willing to admit when I didn’t have answers and to ask for help when I needed it. (I still fight this instictual response). In short, I embraced my vulnerability and discovered a much more fulfilling, abundant and authentic life.

Subsequently, I have dedicated my life to understanding the issues that boys and men face. I have researched extensively the stigma attached to men’s vulnerability, the shame that boys and men often experience and social structures that keep perpetuating these issues. Through my research and hundreds of hours spent working with men, I have established strategies for helping men get past their fear of shame and create a better relationship with their vulnerability. This enables them to see vulnerability as a superpower rather than a weakness – the key to living an authentic, fulfilled life.

In 2015 I teamed up with a wonderful company (Engenesis) to explore an ontological profiling tool they were prepared to develop and am now acknowledged as a leading coach on the Engenesis Platform, where I have publish a number of articles.  I am also a two term immediate past President of my local Lions Club International,  (Lions Brisbane West) and have plans to advance my special interest in promotion men’s mental health through presenting my work to all 1150 clubs in Australia and possibly to take my story to the remaining 45,000 clubs around the world. 

Being from a broadcasting background my most recent adventure has been  co-hosting a podcast with Jacqueline Hofste,  Leading with Influence, on You Tube. In this podcast we explore what it take to become an influencial leader, not surprisingly the tip is on must become the leader first and then the opportunities to lead arise!

It is my hope one of the reasons men might resonate with what I write and speak, is because I speak to these issues not as a researcher or therapist, but as a survivor. I knows firsthand how a poor relationship with vulnerability can cost a man his mental and physical health, marriage, family, friends, job, social position, financial security, and in far too many cases, his life. 

Now the good news I have four wonderful adult children, three stepchildren and four grandchildren.  I live with my beautiful wife Lucille (a Perioperative Registered Nurse) and our Italian Greyhounds (Mocchie and Merlin) in the outer suburbs of Brisbane, Australia.  

Being there for others and fighting back against the asscertain masculinity is all about your bicepts and your bank account is what gets me going.  Helping individuals  believe and then achieve beyond their dreams is a privilkedge for which I have worked my entire career to enjoy.  If you think I can help you, please go to the contacts page and get in touch.

John

Roxcel Australasia is an international trader of raw materials for the packaging and printing industries. I was recruited by the Roxcel group to establish its operations within the highly competitive Australasian market and was responsible for devising a commercial strategy that saw revenues grow to $AU35 million within three years. I established an international trade network across five continents, introducing Roxcel products into markets previously unavailable, and sourcing lucrative new product lines.

Major achievements

• In 2005, I created a strategy for Roxcel Asia which transferred responsibility for regional leadership from Europe to Asia. The resulting rapid expansion in intra-Asian trade led to the establishment of new offices in Jakarta, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Shenzhen, Shandong, Mumbai and Chennai.
• Forged strategic alliances, domestically and globally, with relevant mills, converters and end-users, capturing opportunities for business growth.
• Identified critical problems in global business model viability for the Australasian market and redesigned processes and procedures to better meet regional requirements.
• Led exhaustive negotiations leading to an increase in the number of product lines available and established an international trade network which encompasses more than 30 countries
• Established systems, as well as budgetary and reporting frameworks, to ensure business accountability and profit performance.
• Negotiated a lucrative trade in specialty paperboard. Over a three year period I negotiated with, and fostered the development of trust among, the relevant parties, including Nestle Purina as the end-user. These stakeholders were located across three States in the US, as well as in New Zealand and Australia with finance coming from the US and Austria.

In 2008 John was given a visa to work in the USA utilising his leadership skills and expertise in international trade, consulting with companies who were looking to expand their sales outside of the US.

Strategic Exports was primarily funded by managing the sale of specialty paperboard, sourced from New Zealand and sold to a US-based company which then converted it into packaging for a range of pet foods manufactured by Nestle Purina (Friskies).

Returning to Australia in 2010 John renewed his contacts with his team in China and commenced importing loyalty cards for the Super Retail Group.

Andreia is a leadership coaching and consulting business based in Brisbane set up to market our online self-awareness course The Andreia Method and offer strategic leadership advice to SME specifically aimed at maximising employee engagement to boost productivity and profitability.