Zoë Routh
Seasoned Executive Leadership coach, trainer, facilitator, keynote speaker, and adventurer. I work with CEOs, MDs, GMs, senior executiives and their teams on building great leadership, culture, and strategy in relentless pursuit of a better future.
Leadership of the Future Needs An Adventurous Spirit
I’m a TRAINER AND FACILITATOR. I’ve worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, I am an adventurer! I work with leaders and teams to build better cultures and strategy for the future.
I’m an AUTHOR. I write about POWER, FAIRNESS, AND OVERCOMING SELF DOUBT. My fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. I’ve also written a five-book sci-fi technothriller series, Gaia, about colonising the Moon and Mars. My next series will be set in ancient Rome, focused on the great women of the late Republic and early Empire, as seen through the eyes of their slaves.
I’m a PODCASTER. I host and produce The Future of Leadership (previously the Zoë Routh Leadership Podcast), dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing big ideas on the Leadership of the Future.
I am an OUTDOOR ADVENTURER. I love skiing, I’ve run 6 marathons, I’m a one-time belly-dancer, have survived cancer, and love hiking in the high country.
I live on Awabakal and Warrimi country in Newcastle, Australia and am married to a gorgeous Aussie. I’m a gluttonous reader and baker.
Who I am, where I’ve been…
I have had two great passions in my career: people and wilderness adventures. I’ve managed to combine these two in all roles that I have played. I led canoe trips for the YM-YWCA Winnipeg for 9 glorious summers. The canoe trips ranged from 2 to 6 weeks. Small groups, spectacular scenery, profound experiences. I hopped across the pond and landed at Outward Bound Australia where I made this my home for the next ten years. I was an expedition leader, set up the staff training program (which won numerous awards), and was part of the executive.
Big operations, big responsibilities, and big changes. I learned a lot about myself as a human being and leader. Life-changing.I joined the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation after that to design and deliver leadership programs for various industries. All of them included deep, powerful outdoor experiential programs that shifted people’s understanding of themselves as people and as leaders. A privilege to be part of this team. Humbling. Other bits about me: I am a telemark skier (cross-country and downhill hybrid), I’ve run six marathons, I loved my backyard chooks. I had cancer in 2005. It changed how I thought about myself and life and work. I am fiercely committed to leaders looking after themselves properly as a result.
My core values are FUN, ADVENTURE, AND LEARNING.
My purpose:
I aspire to live in a peaceful world where people and planet live harmoniously.
I focus on building human potential through better leadership.
Better leaders, better world.
My commitment to environment and community:
While my programs focus on building leadership and human capability, I seek to extend my contribution by:
Choosing local suppliers wherever possible to support local industry and minimise carbon impact.
Choosing suppliers who have a social good and/or a commitment to sustainable practices. I choose Humanitix for our online booking event service as a portion of the fee goes to humanitarian programs.
I have made the 1% pledge: 1% of our profits and time goes to human-centered organisations. I support the Smith Family who provide much needed financial and educational support for struggling families. I also offer not-for-profit community organisations special fees for any of our services.
Last little insights about me…
I love chocolate and gin, I don’t have a musical bone in my body, and parking in underground parking lots freaks me out. I cook a mean apple crumble and have a fascination with the history of the English monarchy. I believe Ryan Reynolds is one of Canada’s greatest exports.