Peter Ashby Smith

I’m Peter, a higher education leader specializing in front-of-house service delivery, change management, and stakeholder engagement. With a career devoted to transforming teams and services, I’ve earned a reputation for turning challenges into collaborative opportunities.

I excel in hands-on leadership, emphasizing stakeholder engagement to ensure success in enhancing learning, teaching and research services. Success in the higher education ecosystem is also collaborative effort, and I prioritize stakeholder collaboration in decision-making processes and forming partnerships to deliver broader and more sustained outcomes.

My blog shares some of my thoughts, insights and strategies for those seeking inspiration and opportunities to collaborate.

How to Reduce Emotional Reactivity with Stoic Wisdom and Modern Insight

Emotional reactivity is one of the most costly habits in professional life. It derails meetings, damages relationships, and clouds decision-making. Worse, it’s often invisible to the person caught in it, until the damage is done. If you’ve ever walked away from an interaction thinking, Why did I say that?, Why did I let them get […]

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A hand-drawn digital illustration of a modern boardroom filled with professionally dressed individuals seated around a wooden conference table. One prominent chair at the head of the table is empty, positioned in the foreground.

How to Overcome Career Self-Sabotage and Build a Successful Career by Getting the Easy Stuff Right

Career self-sabotage often looks like… nothing Most people don’t fail because of complexity; they fail because they overlook the basics. Scott Galloway emphasizes this point: “Respecting institutions, having manners, demonstrating a level of humility… these are all (relatively) easy. Get the easy stuff right” (Galloway, 2018). Reflecting on my early career, it wasn’t a lack

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A calm, thoughtful person (smart-casual attire) standing slightly apart at a bustling office party. They are holding a drink and engaged in a meaningful one-on-one conversation while others mingle in the background. The scene radiates warmth and quiet confidence. The man has received networking tips for introverts.

Networking Tips for Introverts to Thrive at Social Events

As an introvert, office holiday parties and networking events can feel like a social marathon. While some of your colleagues might leave these events energized, you may find yourself quietly scanning the room for a low-stimulation exit route well before the end of the night. The good news? You’re not alone, and more importantly, you

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Illustration of dysfunctional group work showing frustrated team members in conflict, symbolising leadership challenges and team dysfunction

How to Survive Dysfunctional Group Work (and Become a Better Leader)

Everyone says they hate dysfunctional group work. But what if the thing we resist most is what we most need to grow? Introduction: The Unspoken Curriculum of Group Work Group work has become the most hated pedagogical tool of higher education. Whether it’s an undergrad marketing course or an elite MBA program, mention “group assignment”

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A colourful illustration depicting a vibrant red poppy standing tall and bright among shorter, smaller poppies. A pair of scissors is shown nearby, symbolising the act of 'cutting down' tall poppies. The background should convey an office or workplace atmosphere subtly, reinforcing the metaphor of tall poppy syndrome

Beating Tall Poppy Syndrome and Celebrating Success

In many Australian workplaces, success can be complex due to our cultural relationship with achievement. The uniquely Australian phenomenon of tall poppy syndrome, where individuals who stand out through their accomplishments can face subtle criticism or outright hostility, has become a recognised issue in organisational psychology and management (Feather 1989). However, what if our organisations

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A vibrant, coloured line drawing of a busy café in the morning. Customers line up at the counter, baristas work behind the espresso machine, people hold takeaway coffee cups. Some customers appear confident and decisive, others hesitate at the menu. Friendly atmosphere, light colours, medium level of detail, modern clean style.

How a Coffee Shop Line Taught Me Effective Decision-Making

The Coffee Shop Lesson: Small Choices, Big Patterns Small, low-stakes decisions often reflect how we approach major life and leadership choices. A coffee shop queue shows why. The café was bustling with the morning rush. Cups clinked, espresso machines hissed, and the air buzzed with caffeine-fuelled energy. As I waited for a networking meeting to

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A drawing of a person standing calmly at the centre of a swirling, chaotic digital world.

How Stoic Thinking Builds Digital Resilience in Education

“We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” Epictetus I was listening to and reflecting on Epictetus’s Enchiridion the other night, and the above idea struck me. In the shifting terrain of higher education, this ancient Stoic insight has never felt more relevant. As educators, we are

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Image of a balanced scale with a leaf icon on one side and a money icon on the other, set against the backdrop of a corporate boardroom.

ESG Business Challenges: Is Sustainability Always Good for Companies?

Introduction Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programs have been widely embraced as essential for modern businesses. Advocates argue that ESG initiatives drive financial performance, foster innovation, and mitigate risk. However, despite these claims, many companies struggle with ESG business challenges, ranging from regulatory burdens to accusations of greenwashing. If ESG is truly a

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Drawing illustrating a luxury higher education experience for students

Elevating Higher Education: Embracing a Luxury Service Paradigm

In today’s competitive educational landscape, universities must embrace a luxury higher education experience to meet the evolving expectations of students. This perspective not only acknowledges the substantial financial investments students make but also emphasises the necessity for institutions to deliver exceptional value, akin to esteemed luxury brands. By adopting best practices from the luxury sector,

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Drawing of two people practicing negotiation skills

Mastering Negotiation Skills: An Integrated Approach

In today’s interconnected and competitive world, mastering negotiation skills is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you’re closing a business deal, navigating a conflict, or advocating for yourself, negotiation plays a critical role in achieving successful outcomes. This article explores key negotiation skills, training strategies, and techniques that elevate negotiation beyond divisive tactics, integrating insights from

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Australian Digital Information Literacy: Tackling Misinformation in Society

In today’s digital world, information travels faster and further than ever before. While this hyperconnected environment has brought many benefits, it has also led to a surge in misinformation and disinformation, challenging individuals’ ability to discern fact from fiction. Recent studies on Australian digital information literacy have highlighted these growing concerns. With the rise of

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