Paul Mitchell leadership

19/08/2026

What’s one of the biggest leadership traps you face? Believing that doing more yourself is the fastest way to get results.

Yes, sometimes it may be faster in the short term. Yet you’ll never scale to greatness that way.

In this episode of The Essentials of Leadership series on Leaders for Life Radio, I have a conversation with Trish Pegorer, Managing Director of Mutti Australia, to explore one of the most critical - and often misunderstood - leadership skills: Delegation.

Trish describes herself as a “Champion of People and Projects of Purpose”. And that philosophy comes to life in how she leads, builds teams, and creates space for others to contribute.

Together, we unpack the real role delegation plays in organisational life - not just as a productivity tool, but as a way to build trust, capability, and long-term performance.

Happy listening!

29/06/2026

One of the things I am noticing in this environment of constant restructures, cost pressures, hybrid work, competing priorities and uncertainties, is that people are fleeing back to their own functional expertise, or their particular level, be it executive, middle or frontline.

Back into the assured safety of our caves.

As a result, organisations are becoming more disconnected. Silos are becoming even stronger. Boundaries are becoming more permanent. And enterprises are not reaching the capacity they are truly capable of.

In the middle of all this, the role of the middle manager has never been more important.

They are the ones translating strategy into action, connecting people across boundaries, and making sense of decisions they may not have made themselves.

Read on for some of my thoughts on the power of leading from the middle, based on our work at the human enterprise with high-performing mid-level leaders in Higher Ground: Leadership Mastermind.

06/05/2026

SUCCESS CAN’T BE MEASURED BY KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ALONE. WHAT ABOUT MEANING?

Right now, many organisations are being asked to do more with less.

AI is reshaping roles.
Budgets are under pressure.
And leaders are being pushed to measure everything.

Of course, key performance indicators matter.

But Gallup’s latest research found that only 20% of employees worldwide were engaged in 2025.

You may have already heard me say that the meaning of life is a life with meaning.

And the same goes for business.

Is your business meaningful for your people?
For your customers?
For your suppliers?
For society?

So how do you measure whether the work itself still feels meaningful?

In this video, I explore what are often called key purpose indicators.

They are the questions that help you step back and reflect on whether the work matters, whether the relationships around it are meaningful, and whether people feel they are making a difference.

Because when we focus only on performance, it becomes very easy to lose sight of purpose.

And if you want to go a little deeper on that front, our guide “10 ESSENTIAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR LEADERS AT EVERY LEVEL” is a practical place to start. It explores the mindset and skills that help people lead from any chair and contribute more effectively across the organisation. Link in the comments.

20/04/2026

BUILD YOUR FUTURE LEADERS BEFORE YOU NEED THEM

Recently, I heard a CEO reflect on one of his proudest leadership achievements.

It was not a result.
It was not a transaction.
It was not even a title.

It was the fact that when the time came to replace him, the business was able to appoint from within.

Not because they avoided an external search.

Because he had strengthened the pipeline well enough that they did not need to look outside the business to find someone ready.

That he cared deeply, really deeply, about the development of his people.

To me, that is what strong leadership development looks like.
True servant leadership.

So how do you build a stronger leadership pipeline in your organisation, well before a key role opens up?

In this video, I share three practical ways to think more deliberately about developing future leaders and building stronger leadership capability and pipeline throughout your organisation.

These fundamentals sit at the heart of our guide, 10 essential leadership skills for leaders at every level.

Explore the mindset and skills that help people lead from any chair, contribute more effectively, personally grow and be ready to take on ever greater responsibility over time.

GET YOUR GUIDE HERE: https://www.thehumanenterprise.com.au/10essentialleadershipskills/

14/04/2026

In this next episode of The Essentials of Leadership series on Leaders for Life Radio, I sit down with Nicole Gillard, one of our much loved and respected Consulting Partners at the human enterprise, to explore one of the most important foundations of great leadership: Leading Self.

Nicole brings a rare blend of commercial experience, coaching wisdom, and grounded humanity to this conversation. Together, we unpack how mindset shapes behaviour, why self-talk matters more than most leaders realise, how to uncover the values driving your decisions, and why purpose can become your lighthouse when things get tough.

Nicole is thoughtful, practical, and deeply real, and comfortable sharing her own insecurities at times. We also explore the role of self-awareness in big transitions, the impact of unconscious bias on how we see ourselves and others, and even what leadership can learn from dance: freedom, expression, adaptability, and working in harmony with others.

Listen as Nicole shares leadership insights on:

- Building more self-awareness and leading with greater intention
- Noticing and shifting the self-talk that may be holding you back
- Getting clearer on your values and living them more consistently
- Understanding how unconscious bias can shape your leadership
- Using purpose to stay energised and resilient through challenge
- Leading with more confidence, choice, and authenticity

Nicole shares practical, human, and immediately useful ideas for anyone wanting to lead better from the inside out. Small tweaks you can apply before your next meeting, your next decision, or your next tough moment that matters.

Paul Mitchell talks with Nicole Gillard about one of the most important foundations of great leadership: Leading Self.

06/04/2026

It’s easy in organisational life to put your hands on your head because, well, “Simon says”.

But are you making the most of the small intentional moments and the impact they can have on you, your team and the people you serve?

What a gift to have Jonathan Brand, Artistic Director at Starlight Children's Foundation Australia, as a Guest Faculty Mentor at our latest Higher Ground: Leadership Mastermind session. Jono is a 2024 Churchill Fellow, and his Fellowship is focused on how interactive and accessible theatre is created in non-traditional performance spaces. He also leads more than 160 performers in the role of Captain Starlight, helping bring joy and creative experiences to children in hospitals across Australia.

It could not have gone to a better human.

Jono reminded us of the power of experience and story, the importance of intention, and one lesson in particular stood out.

Small moments matter.

The small, intentional moments often create outsized impact because people do not usually remember the average moment. They remember what moved them, surprised them, reassured them or made them feel seen.

So here’s the question.

What are the small intentional moments you create for your people, your customers and your suppliers?

Not just with A.I. With R.E. (Real Emotion).

Jono brought a terrific perspective to the room on positive disruption, human connection and the experience economy. The kind of perspective that stays with you.

We keep Higher Ground small on purpose so the conversations stay real and the learning stays powerful. It’s designed for mid-level leaders stepping up and those preparing for executive readiness.

A few places will open up in the coming months. If that sparks your curiosity for you or one of your people, you’ll know where to find us.

25/02/2026

I’ve always been an Elvis fan.

Not a tragic. But I did have on my bucket list a trip to Graceland, Elvis’ family home for the last years of his life.

And since Deb and I were in Nashville it was only a quick trip to see the King.
Two great leadership lessons have lingered with me after our little pilgrimage.

One, I couldn’t help but wonder how much longer the Graceland Elvis extravaganza can continue.

I mean you may know him, but do your kids? And even if they do I bet they have no interest in “going to Graceland” as Paul Simon told us.

And so it is with many things in our life.

They all have a shelf life. A use by date of some sort.

Not just our business strategy, but our services, our products, our market.
And on a more personal front our beliefs, our habits our desires and dreams.

I’m wondering what are the things in your leadership life you need to let go of, to thank, to bless, to give gratitude for the part they played and to move on.

Back to Graceland.

Did I love it?

You bet. The 60’s home itself, the cars, the boats, the motorbikes, the planes, yep two planes. The exhibition is really a full day out.

Topped off by incredible southern hospitality with everyone suggesting, “y’all come back anytime now, ya hear”.

And it got me thinking. Made me very philosophical.

About the second leadership lesson. With all that excess all Elvis was really looking for was what he sung about in his first movie.

“Love me tender, love me true.
All my dreams fulfilled.
For my darling, I love you.
And I always will”

Isn’t that what all of us crave?
And it’s what your people crave as well.
Not Eros or Philia love but Agape love.
To know you really care about them, their growth, their development, their wellbeing.

I’m as outcome orientated as the next leader and the older I get the more I realise that the leaders that make a real difference truly “love” their people.
Really care for them, if love is too strong a word for you.

As did Elvis. And believe me he had a huge team.
His kindness came through in every letter, every card, every film clip we saw.

So go tell your people how much they mean to you “right now”.
Love them tender.

RIP Elvis. I’m sure your influence on the world of music will live on far longer than Graceland.

19/02/2026

Nashville. Tennessee. A lifetime dream to see The Grand Ole Opry show.

This is the heart and soul of Country and Western Music. The show has been broadcast internationally since 1925 and was originally called the WSM Barn Dance. (Legacy counts)

The first sponsor was an insurance company closely tied to religion. Their motto was “We Save Millions”, which became WSM radio. (Gotta have a positioning statement that aligns with your audience)

In 1927, radio announcer George D. Hay declared the show to be “Grand Old Opera”. But of course, in a southern accent that becomes The Grand Ole Opry.
(Talk in the language of your audience)

It started broadcasting from the Ryman Auditorium in 1943. The Ryman was originally the Union Gospel Tabernacle, built in 1892 by a converted entrepreneurial riverboat captain, Tom Ryman. On his passing in 1904 it was renamed in his honour.

As the Tabernacle ran out of funds, it made the decision to rent the space to various performers and well known celebrities including Helen Keller, Houdini and Charlie Chaplin, but mostly CnW singers like Patsy Cline and Hank Williams. (You have to adapt to the times and sweat the asset)

And here’s where more leadership lessons emerge.

The Ryman ran out of space for the audiences it was attracting and the show moved to the purpose built Grand Ole Opry House in 1974. When building the new stage, they embedded a six foot dark oak circle right in the centre, symbolising continuity of the legend, togetherness and community. (“Let the circle be unbroken”, Johnny Cash)

It’s considered a rite of passage and a great honour for country artists to perform in this circle, which still bears the scuff marks of decades of performance. (Do you give your leaders something to shoot for)

But here’s the part that blew me away.

Every artist that performed that night thanked those who had helped them get there.

I wonder who you’d thank when you get there, wherever there is for you.
And I wonder who’ll thank you. (The ultimate success in leadership is the number of leaders you have helped create around you, not just how well you perform)

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to John Dyer, Jo-anne Quirk, Jim and Margaret Sweeney, Bruce Clarke, Robert Neil, Glenn Bates, Marvin Weisbord, Barry Oshry, Dr Fred Grosse, Dr. Ichak Adizes and so many more I’ve lost count.

Is creating a legacy of legends in your organisation important to you?

Well, that’s at the heart of what we do every day for our clients at the human enterprise.

Many organisations are confronting a widening leadership pipeline gap. Burnout is stretching leaders at every level. Succession feels uncertain.

Yet the opportunity is already inside your business.

We build resilient internal leadership pipelines by developing self-aware and strategic leaders who take ownership of organisational results. If that’s important to you, we’d love to chat.

And as you go about your weekend, have a think about who you’d thank when you stand in the circle.

06/02/2026

Our family holiday at Mammoth Mountain in the USA reminded me of an old tale about perspective.

The USA is a beautiful, beautiful country. Yet it also feels so incredibly divided.

Here’s Deb, Abe and I with the Mammoth (elephant), each of us grabbing a different part of it.

You may know the story.

A group of blind men come across an elephant. One touches the trunk and says, “It’s like a snake.” Another grabs the leg and says, “No, it’s like a tree.” Another holds the side and says, “You’re both wrong. It’s like a wall.” Each is certain. Each is right. And each is incomplete.

As leaders, we experience the world through our own lens, whether we realise it or not.

That’s why the stronger your view, the weaker your ego must be. At least enough to genuinely listen to someone else’s perspective.

How does it go? Very strong views, very lightly held.

The problem is we get so entrenched in our views and perspective that they become our truth without even knowing it.

We call it unconscious bias.

It matters more than most leaders realise, which is why at the human enterprise, a large part our Leading Self module in Basecamp: Leadership Essentials is dedicated to it. Not as a box-ticking exercise. As a practical leadership skill, because your “truth” will shape how you hire, promote, coach, give feedback, and who you trust. It will fundamentally shape how you lead.

So here’s a simple question for your week.

Where might you be holding the trunk and calling it the whole elephant?

22/12/2025

It is with great sadness I write this final post for 2025.

Christmas is usually a time of great joy and celebration for me and my family. This year will be different, not just for us, but for many Australians.

Our hearts go out to all those touched by the horrific events in Bondi. So much sadness. So much healing ahead. Especially for the Jewish community.

So many questions to be asked. Over the holiday break, if you can, do spend some time reflecting on what has happened, and what it asks of us.

And please, please don't give up your holiday rituals. For it’s the rituals that bind us, that keep us together, that remind us of who we are.

So in our household, we'll still read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ on the 24th. We will still put out the Christmas cake and a drop of brandy for Santa. And of course, we'll still put out the carrots for Rudolph and the other reindeer.

Miraculously, in the morning, the brandy will have gone, the cake eaten, the carrots chewed, and there will be a few wisps of Santa's beard left on the plate. All this even when our youngest is 38.

Every Christmas, it’s become a bit of a tradition, a ritual, to reshare this article inspired by an enduring leadership icon: Santa: Lessons in Leadership from the North Pole.

It’s a ritual we’ll keep doing.

At the human enterprise, we’re taking a break to recharge and connect with loved ones, so we’re ready to come back in the new year to do what we love and believe in: building resilient leadership pipelines with leaders at every level.

Our office will close from 23 December 2025 and reopen on 27 January 2026.

For anything urgent during this time, you can always reach me directly at [email protected]

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your leadership journey this year.

Wishing you and your loved ones a restorative holiday season.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, my friends.

Playing Santa for 30 years made me think even more about leadership, albeit from a different perspective.