Tim Ebbeck

I am a transformational business leader with an approach rooted in my cricket background.

For years I was the wicket keeper in a cricket team , a role that shapes how the team performs. It taught me the virtue of humility, the importance of teamwork and reliability, and the value that comes from instinct.

The wicket keeper is many things: the enforcer who takes the game to the competition, the elite fielder who’s able to convert half-chances into chances, and a safe set of hands who has the experience to be in the right place at the right time.

Like any successful person, a good wicket keeper is consistent day in and day out. He is never off duty mentally or physically.

What I learned behind the stumps shaped my approach to leadership.

The world is disruptive. You can’t operate without innovating, and you have to use that disruption to stay ahead of the game.

As a leader, my enthusiasm and understanding of the business allows me to establish clear, ambitious directions. Like the best wicket keepers, I’m decisive and action oriented, enabling me to innovate.

Above all else my love for teamwork, and an authentic focus on people, set me apart. People are the most important part of any business. A great idea with average people will fail, but an average idea with great people has a real chance. I build strong teams that have the energy, intelligence, and balance to make ideas shine. Together we succeed through thick and thin, always with a sense of humour and authenticity.

With this mindset I transformed the local operations of some of the world’s largest companies. From my early days as a CFO, to my time at SAP, NBN, & Oracle, my roles on Boards and in growing exciting young companies my focus on people, teamwork, and making the right decisions at the right moment were the keys to success.

Sometimes I was the star and sometimes I wasn’t, but I always had my head in the game. That’s what made the difference. I owe that to my time as the wicket keeper.