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Find out about the strategies, mindsets, and best practices behind extraordinary workplaces.

Learn from some of New Zealand’s most experienced and successful business leaders about how to make your company extraordinary. Hear their thoughts on leadership and culture, and what it takes to move into a new realm of business success.

“What you focus on grows, what you think about expands, and what you dwell upon determines your destiny” - Robin Sharma

Creating extraordinary organisations starts right at the top. The way leaders think, act, and engage filters through workplace culture and is often the difference between businesses that are ordinary, and those that deliver extraordinary results.

This masterclass provides practical strategies to support business leaders transitioning their organisations to a Best Place to Work. While the journey will be different for each leader and organisation, there are common mindsets and practices that our Masterclass presenters will share, which have underpinned their success in leading some of New Zealand’s most prominent businesses.

Through his involvement in the 2024 Best Places to Work awards and decades of leading global cultures and diverse operating environments such as Z Energy, Mike Bennetts has curated an exceptional day of applied leadership learning.

The programme consists of:

Insights into mindsets and practices that have proven to deliver world-class levels of engagement – like the Drift, generating context, identity and the conversations that matter most. These are core concepts for delivering extraordinary results.
The difference between culturing and culture. Extraordinary results come from “doing” culture as opposed to “having” a culture.
Panel discussion from the winners of the 2024 Best Places to Work Awards.
Networking with other leaders on similar journeys.

What to expect on the day

This will be a highly interactive and thought-provoking day where you’ll be exposed to actionable insights and discussions about what’s required to lead a Best Place to Work. Come prepared to confront where ordinary leadership mindsets may be getting in the way of an extraordinary approach that delivers results beyond what is predictable.

The day will be a mixture of panel discussions, keynote presentations and tabletop discussions with leaders on similar pathways. Please come open-minded, and prepared to share your thoughts and feelings as a business leader.

Dress however you feel most comfortable, and what represents your authentic self. Lunch is included and networking opportunities will be available throughout the day and after the masterclass.

At the end of the programme, you will:

Have access to comprehensive Best Places to Work best practices and the results that flow from exceptional levels of employee engagement and commitment.
Have the skills to develop and adapt your leadership to support your people in identifying areas for change and evolution within your organisation, particularly amid a climate of increasing complexity and challenge.
Generate connections with and learn from other leaders committed to bringing more humanity into the workplace.

Who should attend and why

C-Suite and any business leaders who want to transform their organisation into a Best Place to Work, with world-class levels of employee engagement.
Human resources professionals wanting to expand and progress their thinking about leadership, development and organisational culture.
Anyone committed to being an extraordinary leader.

Takeaways

Copy of “Being Extraordinary” by Mike Bennetts.
Copy of “Human Work” by Leanne Holdsworth and Naryan Wong.
Database of best practices for each of the eight pillars of the Best Places to Work model.

The Facilitators

Mike Bennetts - Taumata Advisory (View Mike's Speaker Profile)

Mike Bennetts is best known as the founding Chief Executive of Z Energy, having transitioned the company from its previous global owners in 2010. In thirteen years at the helm of Z, Mike led significant corporate events like launching Z as a brand, an IPO, $3 billion of M&A deals, debt and equity raises, and a takeover response.

Across his two decades of experience as a CEO, Mike is known for his transformational leadership style and commitment to the development of the people he works with. Mike’s new venture as an Executive Coach (Kaiārahi) at Taumata Advisory reflects this. Mike’s stated purpose is to ‘realise individual and organisational potential’ through his work as an author, speaker, mentor and consultant.

Leanne Holdsworth - Cultivating Leadership

Leanne Holdsworth is an Associate with Cultivating Leadership and author of leadership books including co-author of the book Human Work; Five Leadership Mindsets for Humanising Workplaces. She spends her time working with organisations, both here in Aotearoa, New Zealand and overseas, supporting them to humanise their workplaces.

Lisa Oakley - EMA

Lisa Oakley Bcom, PGdipBusAdmin, MMgmt, GradDipOccHealth&Safety CFHRINZ, CAHRI - has 20 years' experience in HR and HSE in large-scale service environments in Australia and New Zealand across a range of industries. Notably, she has worked with Spark and Air New Zealand as well as many Not-for-profit organisations and SMEs as a Consultant. Lisa is currently working with our Foundation Partner, EMA, as a HR / ER Consultant.

The Panel

	Heather Polaschek - RUSH Heather is a People and Culture professional with 15 years of experience across sectors including Corporate, Charity, Retail, and Tech. She thrives in dynamic, fast growing tech environments that prioritise people first cultures with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Heather's strengths lie in driving transformative change, leading innovative initiatives, and coaching and developing leaders. She firmly believes that diversity and inclusion are fundamental to a successful people strategy.
	Jayne Alldred - House of Travel Jayne Alldred has been with House of Travel for nearly 16 years. She joined the company in March 2009 on a 6-month contract as the Business Improvement Manager, Orbit World Travel. In August 2009 when the contract was nearing its end House of Travel created a role for her as the General Manager of the Orbit Group, she then transitioned to People & Culture Director in January 2013. In 2015 she was asked to take on the role of Retail Director (Business Partnerships) whilst still retaining the People & Culture Directorship. Jayne is a Company Director for 58 separate House of Travel Companies. Jayne has progressed over the years to becoming a key member of the executive leadership team. Jayne attributes her long tenure to working for the values driven company where passion meets purpose. The empowering culture and focus on putting people first are key reasons she continues to thrive here.
	Melissa Cheals - Smartly Melissa Cheals brings over 20 years of senior leadership experience across industries ranging from fashion to fintech. As the CEO of Smartly, she has driven innovation and success in payroll and people management solutions, following leadership roles at VTNZ, Kitomba, and the Bank of New Zealand. Her career spans start-ups to global organisations, demonstrating her ability to lead across B2B and B2C markets. Melissa excels at building high-performing teams, driving growth, and navigating complex business models, making her a sought-after leader in dynamic and evolving industries.
	Nicola Taylor - Tax Traders & Taxi Nicola Taylor is the co-founder of the successful fin-tech company Tax Traders and new start-up Taxi, which together won the overall Best Places to Work award for 2024. Nicola is an award-winning leader and has been credited with the amazing workplace that her companies are known for.