FAQ
What is The Leadership Think Tank?
The Leadership Think Tank is an executive peer advisory organisation for CEOs, Managing Directors, Business Owners and senior executives. We run confidential, curated groups where leaders from non-competing industries meet monthly to work through real business challenges together. Each group is led by an experienced Group Chair and supported by executive coaching and access to industry-leading speakers. We’ve been operating in Sydney and Melbourne since 2013.
Who is it for?
Our CEO groups are for the person running the business - the CEO, Managing Director, founder or business owner who carries final decision-making responsibility. Our Senior Executive groups are for their direct reports and C-suite leaders: CFOs, COOs, General Managers, divisional heads and other senior leaders who shape strategy and drive execution. In both cases, members come from established businesses across a wide range of industries.
How do the groups work?
Each group meets eleven times a year in half-day sessions, with typically no meeting in January. Sessions are structured around member-led issue processing, where one member presents a real challenge or opportunity and the group works through it together under the guidance of the Chair. Each quarter there'll be a presentation from a curated guest speaker on a topic relevant to senior leadership. The format is designed to be practical - members leave each session with clarity, commitments and actions, not just conversation.
What makes this different from a networking group?
Networking events are built around introductions. Peer advisory is built around depth. The same group of leaders meets every month, builds trust over time, and holds each other accountable for following through on decisions. Conversations are confidential, commercially relevant, and focused on the issues that actually keep leaders awake at night. Many of our members have been part of their group for five years or more - some for over a decade. That kind of continuity produces something a breakfast event or industry conference simply cannot.
Is everything discussed in the group confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a foundational principle, what is shared in the room stays in the room. You sign a confidentiality agreement upon joining. This is reinforced at every session and is central to why members are willing to be open about the challenges they face. Without that trust, the model doesn’t work - so we take it seriously.
How are groups put together?
Groups are deliberately curated. We bring together leaders from different industries, backgrounds and business stages so that each person gets genuinely diverse perspectives. We avoid placing competitors in the same group. The mix matters - a strong group has leaders who challenge each other’s thinking precisely because they see the world differently.
How big are the groups?
Groups typically have between ten and fourteen members. That’s large enough for diversity of perspective and small enough for every voice to be heard. We’re selective about who joins - the quality of the group is more important to us than filling every seat.
Do I also get one-to-one coaching?
CEO group members receive six one-to-one coaching sessions per year with their Group Chair. These sessions are separate from the group meetings and provide dedicated time to work through individual goals, decisions or challenges in a confidential setting. Senior Executive group members have the option to add quarterly one-to-one sessions with their Chair.
What kind of speakers do you bring in?
We identify speakers who bring practical, relevant insight to senior leaders - people with genuine expertise in areas like strategy, growth, leadership, technology, culture and governance. These are working practitioners and proven leaders, chosen because they have something specific to offer the room. We avoid generic motivational content.
How much does membership cost?
Membership is an investment. Because our groups differ in structure and coaching inclusions, we discuss pricing directly with prospective members as part of an initial conversation. We’re happy to walk through the detail once we understand your situation and what you’re looking for.
What’s the time commitment?
Eleven half-day group sessions per year, plus one-to-one coaching sessions depending on your membership type. Most members find that the time invested pays for itself many times over - both in the quality of the decisions they make and in the problems they avoid. The sessions run during business hours and are scheduled well in advance so you can plan around them.
How do I know if this is right for me?
The best way to find out is to have a conversation. We’ll talk about where you are in your leadership journey, what you’re working through, and whether the group model is a good fit. There’s no hard sell - membership works because the people in the room are genuinely committed, so we’re as interested in finding the right fit as you are.
Can I attend a session before committing?
We regularly run showcase events and introductory sessions where prospective members can experience the format and meet a Chair. These are a good way to get a feel for how the group dynamic works before making a decision. On some occasions we also extend the opportunity to sit in a group meeting as a guest Get in touch and we’ll let you know the best option for you.
I’ve been referred by a current member. What’s the next step?
That’s how most of our new members find us. If someone you trust has recommended The Leadership Think Tank, the next step is a conversation with us - we’ll learn about you, answer your questions, and talk through which group might be the best fit. Let us know who referred you when you get in touch.
Where are the groups based?
We operate groups across Sydney and Melbourne, led by experienced Chairs. Sessions are held at professional venues in both cities. When you join, you’ll be matched to a group that fits your level, your schedule and your geography.
How long has The Leadership Think Tank been operating?
Since 2013. We were founded by Jason Tunbridge and Craig Purcell with a small number of groups in Sydney and have grown steadily across the years. Several of our members have been with us since our first sessions way back in 2013, and some of our Chairs have been facilitating groups since the early years as well. We’ve grown deliberately - quality over volume, always.
