Dare to Dream

After 21 wonderful years at Diageo, transforming, acquiring and separating businesses across the globe, inspiring new generations of leaders and change agents in what was the ‘best job in Diageo, ever’, I am starting a new chapter, one that I have dreamt about and is more than I thought possible.

Nervous, excited, and inspired by the potential to bring a different approach to an age-old problem, I am proud to say that, as of today, I am the co-founder of a transformation advisory firm where we do things differently. We work smarter not harder.

Transforming businesses

With my partner, thought leader and best friend, Nick, we create winning strategies to transform businesses; strategy execution at its very best. The tough to do stuff that we love, helping you navigate the cultural and behavioural changes that unlock value in your organisation. We are called Pike Squared.

This has been our dream for a while, compiling business plans, tools and techniques, roadmaps and value statements in our spare time.

I have been inspired by many of the founders, leaders, mentors and colleagues I have been privileged to work with at Diageo. You have given me the confidence to make this leap, daring to dream. Thank-you. It is exciting times.

Working smarter, not harder

If you have an idea for a transformational change and are not sure how to execute it, then we are here for you. Things not going your way, we can help there too. Acquiring a business and want to identify, preserve or drive value, we have that covered too.

We quickly analyse and get to a pragmatic approach with a highly predictable outcome, allowing you and your teams to work smarter not harder. This is what makes the difference. Doing what works, not what doesn't. We put you back in control.

Expect open, friendly, and trusted. We will challenge your thinking, but you would expect that of us; we are driven by your success and not your comfort. True partners.

Stronger together

Going into business together feels natural to us. We know that we are stronger together. A good friend asked us what our secret is; why do Nick and I complement each other so well?

We thought long and hard. We are well known for being a great team, symbiotically working together. Our friendship was forged through our shared love of yacht racing, which is how we met.

Risk taking, complex problem solving, teamwork and collaboration in difficult circumstances were at the heart of our roles racing on the foredeck of ocean going yachts. In driving rain, gale force winds, drifting in no wind or responding to crisis when the unexpected happened. And it often did.

Our common goal; to win, relied on being able to communicate together and as part of a bigger team, playing to our strengths. We learned the importance of inspiring others and motivating the team. Something we continue to this day.

The power of community

In Diageo one of the things that inspired me most was leading a small and passionate 'skunk works' team. Together we built an 800 strong community, an active and inspiring group. Frustrated by wasted effort our purpose was simply to improve the quality of change leadership, change and project management, working smarter not harder. 

We sought out the latest thinking, simplified, applied and spread the word. Creating an environment of continuous learning and improvement, restlessly striving for better. Leading, inspiring, being part of and contributing to this community made me very proud.

Do what makes your heart sing

My passion for keeping things simple, having a clear roadmap to repeatable and successful behavioural change, creating inspiring and resilient leaders of change, and having the skills to be an effective change agent are greater than ever.

Which brings us onto 'The Change Wizard'. Something that makes my heart sing and takes what we have achieved to another level.

The new ideas, concepts and tools we are developing for Pike Squared, blending theories of organisational behaviour, neuroscience, behavioural economics, leadership, communications and more will be available to you at The Change Wizard.

Exactly what we use with our clients, you will have access to all the good stuff, the thinking, the tools and regular webinars in how to use them.

Whether you want to be a more inspiring and successful leader of transformational change, a more skilled change agent, or just work smarter not harder, then there will be something for you. Repeatable success at your fingertips, delivered with the passion and enthusiasm that you know us for.

Dare to Dream

This truly is our dream, and we dared to dream. Our vision from four years ago looks eerily similar to the world we are stepping into now. If you have a dream, you make choices consistent with that dream.

For those that are interested in following a similar dream, I will share the highs, lows and reality in some ‘behind the scenes’ posts. So far, I have been overwhelmed with the generosity and goodwill that you have offered as we navigate this path. Thank-you.

Want to hear more, then signup at The Change Wizard to get the good stuff as it gets developed or reach out to us at Pike Squared for winning strategies in how to transform your organisation.

If LinkedIn is your preferred home, follow us at The Change Wizard and Pike Squared.

The power of dreams can be found as part of Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence, expect more practical and tactical tools and techniques inspired from Richard Boyartis, along with Dan Airely, Richard Thaler, Darryl Connor, Edgar Schein and Daniel Kahneman and others. The list is long.

I look forward to sharing the journey with you.

Dare to Dream!

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