NOW
Updated: March 2026
This is a Now page — a concept I picked up from Derek Sivers via Alex Hagan. Think of it as a working snapshot — not a promise.
What's got my attention, what I'm turning down, what I'm still figuring out. Shared with the full knowledge that circumstances evolve and the future remains blissfully indifferent to whatever I write here.
WHAT HAS MY ATTENTION
The start-ups in New Zealand creating game-changing concepts and the ability to scale them. Especially after attending Creative HQs Climate Tech summit where I was a mentor.
Right now, I’m spending a lot of time thinking about the heightened uncertainty leaders are dealing with, and futures getting parked due to daily firefighting.
Why does this feel important to me now? Because the world is throwing a lot of challenges and distractions at us right now. If we give up our agency and do nothing, then we will end up living in tomorrows designed by others.
AI-for-good has been on my mind, too. After some stimulating dinner conversations in Manila with Jessie Hughes and Aurelian Chu, about how they are using it for creativity and to create a positive impact!
WHAT I'M WORKING ON
My Leadership Practice
Creating awesome futures, with awesome people in awesome places.
In the last 3 months, I have run an emerging leaders innovation lab with 34 of NZ’s upcoming young leaders, run a strategic conversation and ideation session for 30 CEOs, co-led Muslim/Jewish youth innovation lab on a Marae, given a keynote at a Smart Transport conference, been appointed on the Business Analysis advisory panel at Victoria University and attended their Anniversary, been with a group of thought leaders in Byron Bay, mentored a bio-tech start-up and supported a friend with her bio-factory pitch.
While finishing my book, and writing a whitepaper.
All in service of possibility, and awesome futures.
I am working at two levels:
equipping changemakers coming through with whatever I have that is useful to them, like the energising Manial innovation lab
being an ally to leaders creating better futures. I call this: shape or be shaped!
Alongside this, I’ve been giving guest lectures at our Wellington Unis to design and business students.
And working on a creative Wellington resilience concept called RUMBLE and the Thank Goodness Meal, with group of inspiring, passionate Wellingtonians.
Leaders as great Designers
I have just been asked to speak at a leadership conference, and keen to lean into more. The core of what I speak about is that leaders are, or should be, great designers. The future depends on it.
Sounding board
I was also asked to be a sounding board to a couple of leaders and enjoyed it, so I might do more. I see myself as their co-design and focus partner.
WHAT I'M SAYING YES (and No) TO
I am most energised by working with people who aspire to create a positive impact in the Now and in the Next. These are people with good intent and experiential assets, and need a thinking and designing partner.
I’m also saying yes, a bit of pro-bono (or low-bono) for the same reason, especially with young change-makers.
I’m actively saying no to work that:
doesn’t create a meaningful difference
is not creative, impactful or rewarding.
WHAT I'M WRITING
Are you an Ambidextrous Board?
A leadership perspective highlighting the two games organisations play: efficiency and innovation, and their two rulebooks. However, only the efficiency one seems to get sued by most.
Shapers. Because the Future is Too Precious to leave to Chance.
Shapers are the people who leave things better than they found them. They are the people others trust to create what comes next. With the editor now, so getting close! DM if you want a copy when it comes out.
WHAT I'M READING and WATCHING
I’m reading
I’m mostly writing! But I just read Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon.
I’m watching
A few good French movies of late, The House of Ninjas (more interesting than it sounds), Leonard Cohen’s later work and videos, The Rest is Politics and Playing for Change (for a pick-me-up).