Gavin leads a team of strategy and leadership transformation consultants to create a step change in client business results. This is achieved either through building and implementing high profit growth strategies or transforming leadership or both.
The approach is based on the innovation, leadership and motivation theories captured within Blue Ocean Strategy, developed by Professors Kim and Mauborgne. Gavin has been closely associated with the professors for over 23 years.
Gavin is a working MD who leads the client work actively on site. Clients are in the consumer goods, financial services, electronic goods, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, chemicals, manufacturing, health care, travel and tourism, education and large utilities. In addition, Gavin has transformed large Public Service organisations for governments around the globe.
My Definition Of Success | Success means being able to be comfortable with what you have done in life whilst aspiring to live by a religious code other than what you determine yourself. It is also being able to provide for a comfortable life for your family and still have extra means with which to help many other people less fortunate get onto the road of increased productivity and income.
I Am Driven By | The need to make a special contribution as an individual – that it was meaningful in some way that I existed at all.
My Highlights | Life highlights are achieving at the top-level in sport, academics, singing for an opera company, and conducting a famous orchestra. Also being a partner in two world-class and largest consultancies and co-developing a new approach to strategy and leadership development – coupled with writing an article for the Harvard Business Review.
The Difference Between Good And Great | Much much more effort and work and struggle and picking yourself up after failure.
A Key Talent | Having a cautious and yet bold approach to dealing with challenges that I have to face or those I set for myself. It begins with reading widely (books, Wikipedia, internet, eBooks) and listening to others (including Youtube experts etc) to keep reformulating the problem I am trying to solve until I am sure that it is the right problem to solve. Then, creating solutions but not leaping ahead initially until I have formulated the solution that takes the least time and cost and provides an early check whether I am on the right track – this may take a few weeks. The solutions need to mature like a good cheese! Then taking the first steps bravely and decisively.
The Characteristics Of Success | Tenaciousness, creativity, continually reinforcing my own self-worth to myself, doing things ‘scared’ (ie not waiting until I feel right about it but doing things when they need to be done), being able to lose and not feel bad about it.
Principles I Live By | Self-reliance (other than reliance on God), respect for others, ‘it’s what you do and not what you say you do’, truthfulness and honesty even if it is to your detriment.
Critical Skills I Develop | Writing accurately, reading and analyzing data forensically, understanding what other people need to make them feel good about what they are doing.
How I Use My Mind | I know I am better at thinking in some parts of the day than others. I know how to create the environment I need to be able to think better. I am spurred on by the result of having applied my mind – the prize available financially or socially or spiritually.
Lessons I Have Learnt | You cannot use rational arguments with half the people you encounter (and it does seem to be half!). People will believe what they want to and the psychological attachment to ‘safe’ beliefs for them is much stronger than you realize or that rational arguments can penetrate. If you are not succeeding at something, you must realize that there are 1,000,000 other things that you are potentially able to be successful at doing.
Dealing With Doubt | Personally, I pray.
Performing At My Peak | Do an hour’s sport a day. Take time to chill out and watch entertaining films or TV.
Resources I Use To Stay Inspired | TV news programs, books, internet
My Future Dreams And Ambitions | Be a famous composer and artist.
The Meaning Of Life | To be able to love unconditionally, and to be loved unconditionally.
The Best Advice I’ve Received | Work hard. You don’t have make your hobby your work – your working field may not be your most interesting, but make it so, and make sure you can provide for others; develop your real interests in parallel.
On Inspiring Others | Keep increasing their market value.
