Is the pace of change putting your people and business under pressure?

Such rapid shifts in geopolitical, economic, environmental, social and technological factors requires careful navigation and my role is to help you do that.

It’s about empowering transformation and change by creating a clear vision and gaining buy-in while paying attention to both the human and technical sides of the process.

You might like to download my guide on Unpacking Your Team’s Readiness for Transformation & Change.

To master the new business environment rather than be mastered by it, you can reach out by email, book a discovery zoom or call me on +61 (0)408 259 633.

About me

After leading high-performance teams in corporate roles, I broke out on my own to become a globally recognised expert in the purpose-driven leadership, innovation and business fields, having worked with more than a hundred clients over the past 16-years.

I’m the founder of WhyThisNow, and achievements include publishing Connecting Profit With Purpose, launching two podcasts and appearing in media such as The CEO Magazine, CPA’s InTheBlack and the AFR report on purpose in business.

But wait, there’s more!

I’m the co-founder of Purpose Ignition and the Impact Hour sustainable business event series, and an accredited ‘master facilitator’ with Janellis, a firm specialising in team-based critical thinking to help executive and leadership teams transform their performance and success.

My speaking, hosting and facilitation style is described as warm, witty and reassuring, and this is coupled with extensive experience delivering across virtual, hybrid and in-person platforms.

As a Tasmanian who migrated to Australia(!), my credits include being a singer / songwriter in a progressive folk / blues band; delivering my second child in a bathtub following my wife’s 20-minute labor; and a have a chocolate addiction attributable to a great grandfather who helped set up the Cadbury factory in Hobart in 1921.

See my bio page for more.

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How I help

My work typically takes the form of speaking, workshops, programs, project support, panel discussions or tailored facilitations.

Topic areas span personal, professional and organisational development, with popular areas including:

The Path Less Travelled: Successfully Navigating Transformation & Change

Find Your Purpose as a Leader

Your Future Success Starts with ‘WHO’

Future Focused Innovation

You can find out more about these and my background in my speaker brochure and bio page.

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Purpose Ignition 🔥

Through our Purpose Ignition brand and offerings, Carolyn Butler-Madden and I help organisations prepare, scope out and accelerate their purpose transformation journey.

It’s about connecting people to purpose, and it starts with leadership.

We deliver keynotes, workshops and programs, and curate exclusive online and in-person events.

You can find out more about our Purpose Ignition offerings.

Private Dinners & Programs

Part of our Purpose Ignition range involves curated events and programs to galvanise purpose-driven leaders so they can navigate their journey with more confidence.

They value making connections with experts and like-minded peers across different industries who understand their challenges and needs.

Business Purpose Author

I’ve been featured across a range of media platforms and publish my Purpose Driven Leader newsletters via email and LinkedIn.

Connecting Profit With Purpose contains instructional case studies spread across industries and business types as well as inspiration and methods for purpose-led innovation.

On reflection, the cover is a little bland, however I like to think the diverse range of examples and accomplishments in it are beautiful!

“Commitment to social purpose is becoming a competitive advantage, and corporate leaders who want to master this approach need to read this book” – Mark Kramer, Harvard Business School

Explore Working Together

If this resonates, you can make contact by emailing hello@philpreston.com.au, use this web form or schedule a no-obligation discovery call to gain clarity on how a purpose-driven approach can help you take on your challenges.

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What My Clients Say

  • I received a lot of positive feedback about the workshop and your facilitation. People seem to be really keen to start implementing their new knowledge.

    Coordinator Group Shared Value, IAG
  • Our event has been made so much richer because of your experience and approach. You’ve been awesome!

    Marketing & Communications Lead, JLL Australia
  • The discussion gave the various stakeholders in the room a broader perspective of the issues we face and how it impacts what our businesses are trying to do.

    Executive Director, Westpac
  • As a community we have decided to focus on youth unemployment and Phil has helped us engage with local companies to open up their thinking around sustained solutions and win-win outcomes.

    Regional Coordinator, NSW Dept of Family & Community Services
  • Phil helped us think more broadly about business partnerships to identify and explore shared value opportunities in our goal to improve Indigenous health.

    GM Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Danila Dilba Health Service
  • Phil’s engaging style, thought leadership and practical case studies added huge value to each delegate and the overarching program. Great stuff!

    Director, Australian Food & Grocery Council
  • His ability to engage with people, to challenge and to stimulate new ways of thinking, while providing us with a clear strategic approach was highly skilled.

    Deputy Director, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
  • Thank you so much for the session today. Great feedback from everyone!

    Head of People & Advancement, Claim Central Holdings
  • Thank you Phil, your simple, systematic approach has made a significant impact in this strategic project.

    Project Manager, University of Wollongong
  • Phil’s session was excellent – it hit the mark perfectly and got everyone in the room in the right frame of mind for the day ahead.

    Divisional Chief Executive, Challenger Group
  • Your session really set the scene for the critical nature of purpose for our People Lead Team offsite.

    General Manager, People, BlueScope
  • Thank you so much for yesterday. Your session led to some really strong conversations and a fabulous team training day.

    Owner, Fernwood Fitness Woonona
  • Phil was an amazing facilitator. He took the time to understand our goals and worked with us to run a series of successful events with businesses. I cannot recommend Phil highly enough.

    Research Project Professor, Australian Catholic University
  • Thanks to Phil Preston for helping us brainstorm and collaborate in our afternoon session.

    QBE Foundation Manager
  • You’ve done an exceptional job, valuable personally and in terms of what we can do collectively.

    Executive General Manager, Australian Unity
  • Phil is a fantastic communicator and makes everything seamless. Highly recommend Phil as a strategic thinker and engaging presenter.

    Secretariat, TCI Oceania
  • Phil guided us through ... with questions that caused reflection and vulnerability. Excellent. Thanks Phil!

    Syndicate Chair, CEO Institute

Download: Unpacking Your Team's Readiness for Transformation & Change

This guide contains several methods and tools to support your transformation and change efforts.

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