Andrew Rettie
Learn more about who Andrew Rettie is, what makes him tick and why he is passionate about creating sustainable, high performance cultures.
Andrew Rettie is passionate about working with entrepreneurial owners, existing senior leaders and emerging leaders and their teams to build the necessary awareness, mindsets and capabilities to achieve their goals.
He considers being a part of a high performing team or business, one of the true pleasures in life. Reimagining organisations and creating a sustainable and vibrant culture is part of this fabric.
My Story - What Shapes Me
My Early Life Set Me Up For Growth & Discovery
In the early 1920’s both sets of my grandparents travelled from Europe to South America in pursuit of opportunities and a new life, setting into motion a generation of exploration and discovery.
I was born in Peru and have lived in four countries with the lion’s share being in Australia.
My parents were in the mining industry, so my life (up to my twenties) was influenced by where their work took them, which covered Peru, Australia and Africa.
The expat mining way of life allowed us to travel internationally and see the world - which began for me at age five.
Being a citizen of the world at a young age created a desire to see and understand the big picture and what made things tick.
My Life of Growth & Discovery
Within Australia, I spent some of my high school years, university and early career in Sydney followed by a move to Melbourne with work. Later a sea change took my family to the Gold Coast and then to Brisbane.
Travelling was also a part of my business life taking me to parts of Asia, the USA and Europe on a regular basis.
Travelling to discover and learn is also a great personal joy, which my wife and family share.
My wife and I have two daughters. As parents we encouraged them to follow their passions in life and they both chose to embrace their sport. They both participated at very high levels which certainly dictated much of what we did as a family and where much of our ‘spare’ time was spent.
Furthermore, focusing on performance and health subjects like nutrition, rest and recovery, performance mindsets, technique, aspects of training and competitions culminated in an enjoyable education.
My own desire to participate in sport took me back to my favourite sport at school – rowing.
I joined a masters club and have thoroughly enjoyed the journey, that has encompassed relearning much, the physical and mental intensity of training and competing, teamwork and just being present to the environment – the water, sunrises, marine phosphorescence, and the different locations we compete.
Racing My Single Skull
© Darren Hocking Photography www.darrenhocking.com
Who & What Influenced Me
A Business Minded Family Friend
As a young adult a family friend offered me some advice that I embraced throughout my career. He said, find out what the biggest problems are in a business, solve them and you’ll be well rewarded and will always be in demand.
Computers & Software in the 1980's
There was a noticeable shift in business behaviour when computers and software really started to become commonplace – the explosion in data and information made decision making quicker and more time pressured.
It was noticeable that presentation often swayed decision making more than substance. The era of influencing perceptions at all levels of business took hold. Psychology was going mainstream!
My fascination began with a course I took at IBM called New Age Thinking, where I was exposed to the structure of our brain and how our conscious and unconscious minds functioned. My lifelong desire to understand the human condition, for myself and others was ignited.
Burning Desire & Competition Lead Me To Business
Ambition and competitiveness are an innate part of my makeup, driven by a desire to be my best and enjoy it.
Business is a great vehicle to express these traits.
As a team sport it constantly amazed me how much energy and focus was/is directed at the ‘internal games’ and ‘intrigue’ at the expense of the ‘mission’.
From an organisational perspective there is usually a clear connection between the senior micro-culture and the broader culture. Real change needs to begin here, requiring a shift in values, principles and mindsets. That takes courage, commitment and leadership.
An Unexpected Mentor
In a world immersed in a celebrity culture, role models for effective leadership were difficult to find.
Having experienced a variety of businesses, big and small, including notable companies like IBM and Disney, I felt there was something missing until I had the pleasure of consulting to Gerry Phillips, the CEO and majority owner of Phillips Insurance Brokers in Melbourne.
Gerry was a personal friend before he asked me to consult to his business. He had created a culture where every person (all stakeholders) were valued as individuals, treated with respect, and where trust and effective communication were pillars of great teamwork.
There were high standards, professional rigor, top performance and little room for egos.
There was an obvious sense of being grounded – it even felt low-key when compared to the levels of hype I had experienced and been a part of in other environments. The staff genuinely loved working there.
I consider Gerry a mentor and his business a shining example of what can be achieved. No wonder Austbrokers bought out his business.
Lessons From Parenting
Surely every parent understands that our children teach us about ourselves, and this is an enormous gift. I found a correlation between being a good parent, being a good leader and being a good team player. All have similar qualities.
How I Can Serve You
All these experiences and influences prepared me for Foray One – so I could help you to:
- articulate a powerful personal and business vision that will inspire you and others,
- establish strategies to reach your goals, and
- partner with you to stay on track
My Professional Path
Life doesn't always give you what you expect!
My original aspiration was to be a town planner, but limited career options outside of local government at the time, convinced me to pursue accounting and economics as a basis for understanding business.
The common denominator started off being the numbers and then became understanding people, how they function and work together effectively and in a fulfilling way. Similarly, it became the impact of leadership and management on the qualities of performance.
Highlights Of My Path
Executive
- Chief Operating Officer – software development and IT services business for highly regulated on-line gambling sector – acquired by UK listed company
- Managing Director – Nasdaq listed professional services firm
- VP Finance & Operations (COO/CFO) – ASX listed software development and IT services business
- Finance & Administration Director – global consumer products and entertainment brand
Consulting and Advising
- Not profit sector – Indigenous residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation service and disability and employment services
- Case and client management software-as-a-service product development & commercialization for community services sector
- Financial services sector – licensing of insurance broking agencies and pre lending due diligence for bank
- M&A due diligence and assessment of targets for potential private equity consolidation
- Partner in an Early-Stage Venture Capital Fund
- Numerous other projects
Executive and Business Strategist
- Director of Foray One a consulting firm offering strategic facilitation, consulting, training, coaching and mentoring services
- Member International Coaching Federation
- Fellow of CPA Australia