Last week, WHITEFOX brought together our Sales Directors and HQ leaders for a two-day Leadership Summit in Melbourne – an event marked by unexpected twists, deep learning, and powerful connections. With leaders flying in from New Zealand and across Australia, the summit was designed to strengthen leadership capabilities, foster alignment, and equip our team with the tools to navigate tough conversations and be truly effective leaders.
Originally planned to take place at Deloitte’s Melbourne offices, the summit quickly took on the WHITEFOX spirit of agility when fire alarms and building issues forced a last-minute relocation. Day One was swiftly moved to our HQ, and by Day Two, we found ourselves in an even more unconventional, but more comfortable setting – Marty’s home. Far from derailing the event, the change of scenery created an intimate, relaxed atmosphere that perfectly suited our team’s dynamic. If there’s one thing WHITEFOX knows how to do, it’s pivot, and this summit proved just how well we thrive in the unexpected. The first night brought everyone together for dinner at Cecconi’s, where the conversations flowed as freely as the wine, strengthening bonds and setting the stage for an even more impactful Day Two.
The program was expertly facilitated by Modus Leadership, a leadership development firm specialising in helping leaders navigate modern disruption with courage and clarity. Their philosophy resonated deeply with our team:
“At Modus, we help leaders find the courage to lean into their challenges. Modern business needs leaders who can guide their people through constant change, manage complexity, and create the right climate for innovation.”
Leading the sessions was Ant Williams, a Business Psychologist, former MotoGP team founder, and a self-taught world-record-holding freediver. Ant’s background alone was enough to captivate the room, from building a racing team from scratch to training himself to dive 76m under ice on a single breath, his stories of resilience and reinvention left our team in awe.
But beyond his remarkable achievements, Ant was the perfect fit for WHITEFOX, adapting easily to our fast-paced, often ad-hoc style while delivering a powerful leadership framework. His deep research into our business allowed him to tailor discussions to our unique challenges, making the content immediately actionable.
What We Learned (and Experienced)
Over two days, the team engaged in:
• Personality & work-style assessments – uncovering how to better understand and motivate each other.
• Role-playing tough conversations – practising how to navigate conflict and feedback with confidence.
• Deep discussions on leadership impact – exploring how to foster trust, accountability, and high performance within teams.
By the end of the summit, the energy was undeniable. Beyond the invaluable leadership tools gained, the real magic was in the connection. Having our entire leadership team in one room, learning, debating, and laughing together. In a company as interconnected as WHITEFOX, these moments are rare and powerful.
A huge thank you to Ant Williams and Modus for an exceptional program – one that not only met but exceeded our expectations. Their ability to adapt, engage, and inspire was a perfect match for WHITEFOX’s culture.
As we move forward, the lessons from these two days will undoubtedly shape how we lead, communicate, and drive success across the business. We’re looking forward to the next period of bold leadership, tough conversations handled with care, and a team more connected than ever.