Allan Keogh

“Nothing quite equals the satisfaction of rolling up my sleeves to partner with organisations as they do the challenging but important work of building and aligning a sustainable culture with their strategic direction. In my down time, I like to be in or on the water; riding the energy of a big wave into shore, freeing myself to go with the momentum.”

What piques your curiosity or where do you seek out inspiration?

Reading. Books. Reading in search of knowledge provokes me; books challenge me when others often don’t, they expose my worldview and my thinking, often demanding that I reset my assumptions, my habits, and behaviours.

Which projects have been the most meaningful to you and why?

Because I love a challenge, it’s the big end-to-end projects that come to mind — working with the client to go beyond their aspirational vision and bringing the project in under budget and earlier than expected. These projects shape authentic leadership, create cultures that value engaging stakeholders at the beginning of the project, that commit to fair play, appreciation, trust, engagement, celebration, and acknowledgment — the true gems.

What is a little-known fact about you?

I studied music with Trinity College London and formed a jazz group in my late teens.

What invigorates you creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Cultural diversity, creative arts, walking and being in conversation, and taking on new experiences.

Could you tell us about somebody who has given you sage wisdom in the past?

It was a client, very early in my consulting career. He realised I was hedging my bets with my feedback and he stopped me mid-sentence. He said, ‘Don’t tell me what you think I want to hear, have the courage to tell me what I need to hear.

Tell the truth with compassion, be bold and to the point, tell it the way it is because you care.

Which of our Keogh values speaks to you the loudest? Why?

The Keogh Value that resonates the most with me is curious. I’ve always pondered the who, what, where, when, how and why in pursuit of knowledge and experience.

Could you tell us a story about a moment of realisation in your lifetime?

In 2017 I walked the 96 kilometre Kokoda track in PNG. Following the footsteps of our courageous WWII diggers challenged me emotionally and physically; the experience was a  roller coaster ride of fatigue, side-splitting humour, elation, and deep sadness. The powerful realisations were: slow down and enjoy life, live in the now instead of the future, take time out, let go of upsets and celebrate the small victories. And acknowledge and thank those who enable your journey.

When, where, or with whom do you feel the most fulfilled?

Its any time I’m outside my comfort zone when I know that I’m about to be stretched—mind, body, heart, and spirit.