Harnessing AI to build thriving organisational cultures: Insight to impact
Consultant.
Researcher.
Thought Partner.
What I do
Consulting
I partner with leaders to navigate complexity, drive cultural alignment, and deliver practical, values-led solutions in real-world settings.
Research
My current focus explores how AI, leadership, and organisational culture intersect – pushing the boundaries of insight to shape the future of work.
Thought leadership
I write, speak, and build models that cut through noise – offering frameworks, field-tested wisdom, and honest perspectives for leaders and teams.
Here’s what I’ve been thinking, writing, working through lately.
Some recent reflections
The Power of a Handshake: How One Evening Changed My Career
One evening at Perry Park changed everything. A chance meeting, a few handshakes, and suddenly my career took an unexpected turn. From a quick chat with Roly Livingstone to meeting Ted Love, then Leo Pitt and Ken Shea – three months later, I’d left Education for the Public Service Board. Sometimes the best career moves happen at a AHRI event.
From Rebel to Reformer: My First Days in HR
Imagine the irony: a former school rebel who’d been twice asked to leave for questioning authority, now working in the most hierarchical place imaginable – the Education Department’s Personnel Section. No computers, just old wooden desks and endless paperwork. That building’s now the Treasury Casino in Brisbane, which perfectly captures how far we’ve come in HR.
WorkChoices: The Law That Changed Australian Workplaces Forever
Picture Australia, 2005. John Howard’s government had just won control of both houses, and everything we knew about workplace relations was about to change. WorkChoices wasn’t just another law—it was a revolution that divided the nation. Some saw it as the dawn of workplace flexibility; others viewed it as an attack on workers’ rights. Either way, Australian workplaces would never be the same.
The Governance Compass™: Turning complexity into clarity
Born in the field, not the classroom – this framework started at Yancoal, helping align a corporate centre with ten mine sites. It set clear rules of engagement, defined decision rights, and built a shared foundation for growth.
Now, I help other organisations build their own compass – to sharpen roles, align behaviours, and scale trust across teams and functions.
About Tom
The human behind the research
I’ve worked with leaders in mines, boardrooms, and beyond – helping them make sense of complexity and lead with character.
Now, I’m combining 40 years of lived experience with fresh eyes on the future.
I keep a guitar nearby – not to play, but to think better.
What others say
“Straight-talking. Values-led. Strategically sharp.”
“A powerful mix of wisdom and practicality.”
Let’s talk
Whether you’re planning a transformation, leading a team, or just trying to make sense of the noise – I can help you find clarity and traction.
Let’s have a conversation that moves things forward.