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.

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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Drawing of a cross-cultural team collaborating in a high-tech office

Effective Cross-Cultural Communication: From Cultural Awareness to Business and Workplace Success

Introduction In today’s interconnected workplace, the ability to communicate effectively across cultures has become indispensable for business success, particularly for leaders. Recent research reveals that 89% of white-collar professionals now regularly participate in global virtual teams, making intercultural communication skills more critical than ever (Taras et al., 2021). This trend is reflected globally – Australian

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Image of a new manager choosing their management path

Why Most New Managers Fail – And How to Be Among Those Who Succeed

Introduction The transition to management represents one of the most challenging career moves professionals face today. Understanding why new managers fail is crucial, especially considering that, according to CEB Global research reported by Arruda in 2023, 60% of new managers fail within their first 24 months. When transitioning leaders struggle, their direct reports perform 15%

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A group of students engaging in academic library critical thinking with modern technology

Critical Thinking Skills in Academic Libraries: Developing Essential Skills for First-Year Students

Introduction Critical thinking skills represent one of the most important competencies for students in higher education. However, many students struggle to develop and apply these abilities effectively. Therefore, academic library critical thinking instruction is uniquely positioned to address these challenges by offering targeted strategies.By offering targeted instruction, they help students navigate increasing volumes of misinformation

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Man looking in a mirror of career change possibilities

Career Change Strategies: 15 Proven Tactics for a Successful Transition in 2025

Did you know that 52% of professionals are considering a career change in 2024? If you’re among them, you’re not alone! The landscape of professional reinvention has never been more dynamic, with technological advances and workplace evolution creating unprecedented opportunities for career transition. Why Career Change Matters Now The traditional notion of a linear career

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Leadership Qualities, Modern Management Traits

Top 5 leadership qualities for modern managers

As a seasoned leader with experience spanning retail management, IT, and higher education, I’ve had the privilege of observing and cultivating leadership across diverse sectors. Today, I want to share insights on the top five leadership qualities that I believe are crucial for modern managers. These qualities aren’t just theoretical concepts—they’re practical skills I’ve honed

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Leadership Introduction, Key Leadership Strategies

An introduction to leadership

Introduction Leaders are entrusted with the vital responsibility in organisations. In my context of higher education, they are involved in shaping the minds and futures of students. Effective leadership is essential not only for the success of organisations, but also for nurturing the next generation of leaders who will tackle society’s greatest challenges (Shapiro, 2015).

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