Founder & CEO - Joel Hines
I've spent 25 years working at the intersection of human wellbeing and organisational effectiveness, and I've learned that the best leaders aren't the ones who push through at any cost, they're the ones who know how to sustain themselves and their teams through complexity and change.
That insight didn't come from a textbook. It came from lived experience: as an occupational therapist working with people in acute mental health crisis, as a school principal navigating the messy reality of leading an organisation, and more recently as an interim CEO managing a complex merger integration. I've sat in the rooms where difficult decisions get made, felt the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership, and experienced firsthand how easy it is to lose yourself in the demands of the role.
What makes my approach different is that I bridge worlds that rarely meet. I understand the psychology of stress, resilience, and change because I trained as an occupational therapist and worked in mental health services. I understand the reality of organisational leadership because I've done it, managing budgets, leading teams, navigating stakeholder politics, and trying to sleep at night when everything feels uncertain.
And I understand how people actually learn and grow because I've spent years designing and facilitating experiences that create genuine transformation, not just tick-box compliance. That combination means I can work with leaders in a way that honours both the business imperative and the human reality.
The leaders and teams I work with are typically facing something significant—a restructure that's stretching everyone thin, teams that have lost their way, managers who are overwhelmed and wondering if they're cut out for this, or organisations navigating change that feels relentless.
They come to me because they want someone who gets it, who won't give them generic frameworks that ignore their context, and who can create space for honest conversation alongside practical strategy. My programs are experiential and relational because I believe leadership isn't learned by listening to lectures; it's developed through reflection, practice, connection with peers who face similar challenges, and having someone in your corner who believes in your capacity to grow.
When you work with me, you're not getting a consultant who shows up with a predetermined solution. You're getting a thinking partner who will listen deeply to understand your context, challenge you when needed with compassion, bring frameworks and tools that are evidence-based and practical, and walk alongside you through the messy middle of change and growth.
I care deeply about the work because I know what it's like to lead in complexity, to care about people and outcomes simultaneously, and to want to do meaningful work without burning out in the process.
Watch Joel’s 2023 TEDx Talk ‘Stories Connect Us’ here
“You can’t hate someone whose story you know”
What People Are Saying
“I trust Joel Hines with my life. That’s not a sentence I say very often or very willingly but it seems fitting I begin with this truth.
It just so happens that I also had the pleasure of working alongside Hinesy at our organisation The Man Cave for a few years, and I picked up a few insights that might entice you to invest your time with this man.
Hinesy is a storyteller who has the rare ability to open hearts and capture imaginations. He has the depth and range to weave folklore with philosophy, psychology with poetry, and quick-witted humour with unshakable truth. He can weave this magic with everyone from teenage boys who are on the edge of juvie to concerned parents desperate for answers to teachers needing an injection of hope and practical tools to corporates whose souls are yearning to reconnect to their humanity.
I should note that I’ve seen Hinesy do his best work with other facilitators. Those brave few who choose to be of service to their groups or communities. In particular, those who are coachable, committed and hungry to continue peeling the layers back on the human condition - this is his sweet spot. Hinesy is reliable, a pillar of truth, a trusted council, a mentor, an initiator, and most of all, he is a kind man. ”
“I first met Joel Hines (Hinesy) when Movember partnered with The Man Cave to redevelop SpeakEasy workshops. And I’m so glad to have been connected with such a fantastic human.
In redesigning the SpeakEasy workshop format, Hinesy was an amazing leader and contributor – listening genuinely, considering thoughtfully, and speaking with clarity. The team worked very well to build something collaboratively that we’re all very proud of.
And in delivering workshops, Hinesy does so with such authenticity and experience. I care deeply about the outcomes of SpeakEasy workshops, and always feel comfortable when Hinesy is at the front of the room. He brings about comfort, holds space so well, and navigates between high-hearted moments and deeper conversations with ease.”
“Joel masterfully modelled what he was teaching. It was inspiring to be led so skillfully. It was very obvious to me that Joel has a wealth of knowledge that he embodies. Anyone who would like to hold space, transform lives, and create meaningful experiences for others would benefit from being around and learning from him.”
“Joel finds the right kind of balance in his events. In a pace that is gentle but engaging, he blends meaningful activities and discussions with practical skills. These are woven together with stories that are drawn from awesome anecdotes, poetry, ancient teachings and contemporary news and events. I experienced elation, wonder, tears and insights that seemed to originate from my heart and merged with my mind.”
“My experience of Joel as a facilitator is one of warmth, safety and inspiration. He has the ability to meet the group where they are at, which is a really important facilitation skill. So whether it is clarity of purpose, playfulness, compassion, intelligent discourse, powerful listening or speaking he has the behavioural flexibility to hold that space.”
“Inspiring, stimulating and thought provoking as well as definitely accomplishing your purpose of being human, bringing humans together and restoring connection and conversation. Well done mate you nailed it really looking forward to more”
“Thank you very much Joel, can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the night! Really re-sparked and injected some fresh energy into my own mythic landscape, and even inspired me to bring a short myth to a friend last night and discuss it in a similar way you had laid out for us”