2025 in Review

As 2025 comes to an end, I wanted to share a brief reflection on the year - the work I’ve been involved in, what I’ve learned, and what I’m grateful for - here is 2025 in review.

As in previous years, instead of sending gifts to clients, I made a donation to One Girl. Their work supports some of the most disadvantaged young women around the world to access education and create more choices for their future. It’s a cause I’m proud to support.

This year included a mix of client work, pro bono commitments, and personal change.

Some of the key areas I spent time on included -

• Clarifying and segmenting service offerings, beginning with a focus on helping leaders get clearer on the value of their strategy

  
  

• Supporting technology teams to connect better with the business, not just deliver projects

  
  

• Helping organisations think through practical structures and capabilities to support their plans

  
  

• Continuing coaching and mentoring with both male and female executives, I now coach more women than men

  
  

• Assisting a small number of first-time authors as they navigated publishing and Amazon

  
  

• Ongoing pro bono work at Swinburne, including the Financial Crimes Lab initiative

  
  

• Sharing the 2030 Tech Trends Outlook, developed independently and is vendor agnostic

  
  

• Running workshops in construction, financial services, and aviation

  
  

• Delivering in-person sessions across Australia, including time in Hobart during winter, plus some virtual international sessions too

  
  

• Spending more time focused on family wellbeing and support

On a personal level, 2025 was also a very difficult year. My wife passed away in May after a two-year battle with stomach cancer. The messages, kindness, and quiet support we received were deeply appreciated. Throughout the year, counselling and professional support played an important role for our family, and it reinforced something I’ve long believed. I wrote about it in the bestselling Making Life Happen - asking for help matters.

There were also positive moments. Our middle daughter completed Year 12 and is now considering her university options. Our son received an academic excellence award. 

As we look ahead to the new year, I’m available in January for conversations about strategy clarity, leadership capability, coaching, or simply talking through ideas. Email me to talk more.

Thank you to everyone who reached out, read the blog, or supported my work in any way this year. I appreciate it more than you know, and the blog returns on January 30.