I started my full-time career in January 1980 when I joined the Radio Section of the New Zealand Post Office in Napier as a trainee radio technician, straight from finishing high school. At the time I had worked steadily in after school jobs requiring independent thought and responsibility since I was 13 years old and already had a strong work ethic.

I had also already discovered an inherent interest in productivity and efficiency, and learned about the financial rewards of improvement in these areas. I did a range of other work on an hourly rate or for a fixed amount as kids typically do, however my first long term job delivering daily newspapers and the position after that in a small manufacturing business throughout my high school years, both provide an income that was influenced by performance and productivity, which sparked the interest I've had ever since.

Earning money myself at that age also meant I was able to actively pursue my two main passions at the time for photography, which is still a passion, and riding motorbikes for several years before starting my career.

I achieved excellent results in my University Entrance exams in 1979, not so good in English, which was the only class I didn't absolutely love, however I made the fairly pragmatic decision to "Earn while I Learn" rather than go to university.

I questioned my decision to skip going to university briefly more than a decade later when my focus had shifted toward 'climbing the corporate ladder', but ultimately it was the right choice.

A valuable insight came from losing my passion for photography for while after making a naive and not well considered decision to base my first full-time business venture on it. Leaving my career at the financially successful stage of my career to start a family portrait photography business, eventually dissolved all my passion for creative photography.

I was making good money in my business, but it wasn't worth the loss of interest in something I had always loved doing, so I changed direction. However, the value of the things I learned in the process in those few years was well worth it.

Study and ongoing education, and learning and applying new skills and knowledge has been fundamental throughout my life. It hasn't been a typical career path but it has allowed me to develop many capabilities that are well earned and valuable skills and capabilities.

It has also given me an agile approach that lets me stay grounded and not phased in uncertain or rapidly changing environments that would unsettle many people. And taught me how to learn new skills very quickly and rapidly adapt and engage effectively with new environments and technologies.

This background and other natural skills and capabilities enable me to add unique value in business and to individuals navigating their own journey through change and growth.