Brett's Story: Making Innovation Leadership Human
Brett transforms how organizations approach innovation by demystifying leadership development and making organizational improvement more human. As a leading authority on the behavioural dynamics that enable innovative organizations to thrive, he works internationally and locally in Vancouver as a coach, trainer, facilitator, and strategic advisor.
From Elite Performance to Innovation Excellence
Brett's journey began in Canada's Olympic development system, where he mastered the science of high performance under uncertainty—first as an elite athlete, then as a coach. This talent-centric foundation became the cornerstone of his professional success, leading to over 200 awards and patents across groundbreaking initiatives.
His career highlights read like an innovation legend: developing life-saving behavioural change interventions, co-launching purpose-driven global tea brands with Hugh Jackman, and transforming science fiction concepts into beloved realities at Apple. Yet through these successes, Brett discovered a critical gap—innovation leaders often navigate their challenges in isolation, without the specialized support their unique role demands.
The Research That Changed Everything
In 2019, INSEAD—the world's leading global business school—invited Brett to deepen his leadership development expertise in Fontainebleau, France. There, he discovered systems psychodynamics, which provided logical frameworks for understanding the seemingly illogical patterns that challenge organizational innovation.
This breakthrough led Brett to map the behavioural patterns of consistently successful innovation leaders, creating the Innovation Leadership Map—a diagnostic and developmental framework that transforms how individuals and teams approach innovation challenges.
Since INSEAD he has continued to research and publish on how professionals can better develop practices that improve innovation outcomes. This behavioural approach to innovation leadership has become an essential unlock that complements the extensive technical and procedural knowledge already present though frequently stuck in organizations.
A Practice Built on Proven Results
Today, Brett leads a specialized practice serving innovation leaders across central banking, technology, sport apparel, healthcare, technology and creative industries. His core belief—proven through countless client transformations—is that any professional can learn to drive and survive leading innovation when equipped with the right practical methods, tools and self-awareness.
After years living and working across France, the UK, and the USA, Brett returned to Vancouver in 2022, though he continues serving clients across EMEA and APAC regions, fueled by his curiosity and passion for international business.
Beyond the Office
When not developing the next generation of innovation leaders, you'll find Brett carving alpine slopes, leading rides as an official Rapha Cycle Club leader, or pursuing the perfect cup of coffee—always dreaming of the next adventure.
Credentials
MA, Master of Coaching and Consulting Change, INSEAD (Distinction)
American Psychological Association
International Society for the Psychoanalytical Study of Organizations
Canadian Securities Certification (Distinction)
BA, Economics, Whitman College
Key Topics: innovation, organizational psychology, leadership development, team dynamics, L&D, learning and development, systems psychodynamics, organizational behaviour, adaptive leadership, authentic leadership, transformative leadership, new genre leadership
