Matt Shanahan

Over 25 years experience in the design and facilitation of personal, team and organisational development programs. Early leadership experience was in wilderness based education and guiding - group leadership and then managing remote operational areas and programs. My consulting career began in the banking and energy sector - from executive to frontline leadership programs. An early opportunity in fire and emergency management led to over 15 years of ongoing engagements within the Victorian emergency management sector. This has involved the most senior levels of the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria. Long term engagements within the testing and certification industry - involving the design and facilitation of global leadership & coaching programs across multiple geographies including Singapore, South Africa, the UK, Europe & Thailand. Gradually evolved my coaching experience from middle level management to the C Suite of major listed companies. My work spans individual development, through to executive team development and out to cultural analysis and understanding.

My passion lies with the intersection between individual leadership growth & awareness and the impact on the humans within a system. I believe that we as societies hold too many outdated notions about what "work" is - and especially how we engage and treat humans at work. What brings me joy is seeing leaders become aware of the humanity within their sphere of influence - and their deep ethical and moral responsibility to create environments (including policy, processes & structures) where humans flourish. Once this is created - then profits and performance are a logical and guaranteed byproduct. I love helping organisations see and then understand their cultural dynamics and how this connects to the leadership within the organisation - ultimately leading to the creation of organisations that both deliver a strategic outcome and become a human community where people enjoy how they spend their time.

My love of human behaviour was fostered in my psychology studies - and I lean heavily on solid psychological theories and principles to ensure that my approaches are based on what can be empirically proven. From this foundation I then stretch out to deeper theories about how humans find meaning and purpose in their lives as well as within work. This is the bedrock of my approach - and underpins how I then use more clinical models of strategy, organisational structure of best practice in leadership and management.

We deeply resonate with the way LIW team members speak about clients—as if they are integral members of the organisation themselves. This level of commitment and accountability ensures that promised outcomes are not only met but exceeded. As a result, we witness the transformational power of implementing effective models and tools in a genuine and authentic manner, ultimately leading to meaningful and sustainable results for our clients. Working with LIW allows us to be part of a community where excellence, authenticity, and client-centeredness are at the forefront of everything we do.

Participants often describe me as warm, open, and relatable—an approachable presence that fosters a sense of connection and trust. I strive to be humble and philosophical, embracing diverse perspectives and fostering meaningful discussions. My commitment to our shared journey is unwavering, and I approach each interaction with enthusiasm and dedication. I hope to bring a touch of innovation and fun to our learning experiences while ensuring that I am well-prepared and equipped to support our collective growth and development journey.