Don Baker

Partner
Coach | Facilitator

Don is a specialist in strategy, leadership and building high performance teams. He has both a theoretical and applied knowledge base to lead and manage across an assorted range of cultures, personalities and stakeholders, which has subsequently informed his ability to facilitate formal instruction and facilitation to a wide audience of trainees, alongside more familiar mentorship roles.

Don holds a Master of Business (UNSW), a Grad Diploma in Strategic Leadership, is a Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), holds numerous advanced diplomas involving Personnel, Operations, Government, Management and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA).

Don concentrates on skillfully communicating guidance to facilitate transformational change within an organisation and has acted as an executive and mid-level management advisor and transformation consultant for the likes of Boeing Defence Australia, Stanbroke beef producers and Massachusetts Financial Services (MFS) Investment Management.

Background

I have owned and operated my own Security company whilst concurrently working within the financial services sector in Sydney, prior to joining the Australian Army in 2002.

An Australian Infantry Officer for near two decades, I served on multiple operational deployments and received formal commendations for my performance in positions that were deemed high pressure, strategically sensitive and under considerable time constraints, whilst on warlike operations.

My domestic ADF service included a multitude of varied Leadership positions and included Senior Instructional roles (for developing junior Officers) in Command, Leadership and Management coupled with Strategy and Tactics.

My background in senior instructional roles has equipped me with a keen ability to mentor and guide emerging leaders, facilitate their growth through hands-on experience and tailored guidance. My expertise spans various leadership domains, including command, leadership, management, strategy, and tactics. Formal commendations received for maintaining composure in time-sensitive, strategically sensitive contexts during warlike operational deployments attest to my capabilities.

Most recently I worked as the Principal Consultant for Leadership and Strategy, within The EighthMile Consulting firm.  This role was particularly satisfying as it provided me the opportunity to make an impact at developing leaders, executive teams and facilitate organisational congruence at all levels.

More specifically, I was placed as the lead on creating the Talent, Acquisition and Retention (TRD) Frameworks for Boeing Defence Australia Supply Chain Management (BDA-SCM).  These frameworks were targeted in creating constructs that enable finding the right people in a tight employment market and then retaining and developing defined ‘talent’ to ensure organisational KPI’s could be achieved.  The nuances of creating these holistic structures from inception were highly regarded by the project sponsor, delivered on time, in budget and within scope.

Good to Go Gear is an international importing / exporting business that is incorporated out of Australia and Hong Kong.  I have displayed resourcefulness, accountability and the ability to span across many cultural barriers to assist in achieving profitable outcomes. My ability to communicate and work with stakeholders in a network of non-military and non-government backgrounds, whilst overcoming cultural and language barriers has been paramount in the Company’s relative success and demonstrates the quality of my engagement skills. This provides refinement of my highly effective interpersonal skills, an increased fiscal management appreciation and honing of team building skills for a physically dislocated workforce, in a tacit applied framework.

Whilst I also continue to maintain my ownership and operations of my international import / export brand (Good To Go Gear P/L), I am now proud to become a part of the Integral team and look forward to the rewards of building my own training entity, and helping more people into the future.

My Why - Motivation

I am deeply committed to guiding individuals and organisations toward realising their full potential. Witnessing personal and professional growth has always been a driving force of mine. I am resolute in my mission to help individuals identify their strengths, enhance their leadership prowess, and cultivate environments conducive to success.

How I work

My approach to work is marked by a unique blend of experience, empathy, and strategic acumen. Drawing from a background that spans owning and managing a security enterprise, working within the financial sector, and serving as an Officer in the Australian Army, I've cultivated a well-rounded perspective.

Collaboration, the synthesis of diverse viewpoints, and the strength of cohesive teamwork are principles I highly value. By fostering open communication, active listening, and a resolute commitment to growth, I create an atmosphere that nurtures innovation and breeds success.

I thrive in dynamic environments where challenges are met with determination and creative problem-solving. My adaptability and resilience, honed through years of operational deployments and leadership roles, enables me to excel even in the most demanding of circumstances. I am a firm believer in leading by example and consistently pushing the boundaries of what is achievable.

What I do – Professional Focus

My journey has led me to my current role as a partner with Integral, a role that aligns seamlessly with my passion for leadership development. Drawing upon my extensive experiences, I offer invaluable insights into strategy formulation, leadership refinement, and the intricacies of building high-performance teams.

In collaboration with Integral, my mission is to empower leaders who effect enduring change. I aspire to enable individuals to lead authentically, foster innovation, and drive lasting transformation within their organisations.

What I love

My wife and four children. One of my greatest joys is in the development / mentorship of my kids to become leaders and good humans within their own right, so as to influence their world in a positive light.