Strategy, Leadership and Execution
Most execution problems aren’t capability problems.
They’re thinking problems.
Over many years of working with leaders, teams, and Boards, I’ve seen well-intentioned strategies fail not because people didn’t care or try hard enough but because decisions weren’t made with enough clarity, structure, or discipline to hold under pressure.
My work is grounded in a simple belief:
Better Execution Starts with Better Thinking.
How My Approach is Different
We don’t tell leaders what to do.
Instead, we work with them to strengthen how decisions are made so clarity, alignment, and execution don’t depend on individual effort or constant intervention.
In complex businesses, speed without structure creates confusion. Structure creates confidence.
When thinking is clear:
Priorities are easier to agree on
Trade-offs are understood
People know what matters and why
Execution becomes more consistent and repeatable
This is why my work sits at the intersection of strategy, people, and execution, not as separate disciplines, but as a single system that either works together or breaks down.
How This Shows Up in My Work
We work alongside leaders, teams, and Boards to slow things down just enough to think clearly and then move forward with confidence.
That might look like:
• Helping leadership teams align around direction and priorities
• Supporting boards and executives to strengthen decision-making discipline
• Designing execution systems that turn strategy into delivery
• Building leadership and team capability so good decisions stick
I’m often brought in when:
• Strategy is clear but execution is inconsistent
• Decision-making feels reactive or fragmented
• Growth has increased complexity
• Teams are busy but progress has slowed
My role is not to create dependency. It’s to leave behind stronger thinking, clearer systems, and greater confidence in how decisions are made so strategy can be executed with precision.
How I Bring Structure to Complex Work
Every business is different. Engagements are designed to suit your context, challenges, and priorities.
Engagement options
Workshops & Facilitation
Targeted, high-impact sessions that create clarity, alignment, and informed decisions.
Short Engagements (4–8 weeks)
Focused work to build clarity, alignment, or execution momentum.
Structured Programs (8–16 weeks)
Leadership, team, or execution programs designed to build capability and traction over time.
Embedded Partnerships (6–12 months)
Deeper involvement to design, embed, and sustain strategy execution systems.
Board & Executive Guidance
One-on-one or small-group support for Boards, CEOs, and senior leaders navigating complex decisions.
Not sure which approach is right? A conversation is the best place to start.
Meet Maria Nolan
I’ve spent more than 30 years working with leaders and teams across regional Australian businesses, government, and complex organisational environments.
What matters most to me is not expertise for its own sake but judgement, clarity, and the ability to stay grounded in rooms where decisions are difficult and the stakes are high.
When I talk about judgement, I’m not referring to opinion or evaluation. I’m referring to how I bring structure, experience and discipline to think clearly in complex situations.
Clients often tell me they value my ability to:
Make complexity manageable without oversimplifying
Create calm and focus in challenging conversations
Ask the questions that help people think differently
Balance rigour with humanity
I bring structure, curiosity, and a deep respect for the responsibility leaders carry.
Experience That Supports My Work
My background includes:
Over two decades leading SeeChange Consulting®
Deep experience with regional and growth-focused businesses
Extensive work with leadership teams and Boards
Formal training across leadership, facilitation, systems thinking, and organisational development
These experiences inform my judgement, but they don’t define the work.
The work is always shaped by the business in front of me.
Let’s Start With a Conversation
If you’re looking for a thinking partner who brings structure, clarity, and calm to complex decisions, a conversation is a good place to start.