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For CEOs, Managing Directors, Business Owners, Owner-Leaders, Directors and Executive Leaders
BUILD TO PERFORM NEWSLETTER
Practical insight for leaders shaping direction, culture and performance.
Build to Perform explores the decisions, behaviours and disciplines that shape organisational performance.
Grounded in more than 25 years across frontline operations, executive leadership and governance, each edition offers a practical idea, framework or question to take into your next board or leadership conversation.
Join Build to Perform
Practical thinking shaped by boardroom perspective and frontline experience.
What You’ll Receive
A leadership or governance issue worth examining.
A practical perspective or framework grounded in experience.
A question or action to take into the next board or leadership meeting.
Practical infographics designed to be saved, shared and used.
Why Build to Perform
I’ve spent more than 25 years across frontline operations, executive leadership and governance, progressing from qualified diesel mechanic to CEO, managing director, shareholder and director.
Build to Perform distils what I have learned about how leadership behaviour, organisational culture and governance discipline shape performance, particularly when pressure rises and decisions matter.
What Others Are Saying
Mike Rule - General Manager
Aaron hired me as an area manager in 2016 and I immediately realised I would be supported and valued in my role. Trust is earned and so is respect, Aaron allowed me to grow and make decisions that added value to the business and its people. Aaron called me the GM of the South Island jokingly when I progressed to the next role and thats how I ran the business successfuly leading a great team of people supported by Aaron as my GM. We have kept in contact as my career has progressed, still supporting and giving advice. A real asset to any business in either governence or hands on leadership space.
Kathy Schluter - Managing Director
It is with great pleasure that I recommend Aaron Smith. His warm and consistently friendly personality, combined with his attention to the little details—such as remembering birthdays and important milestones—make him the kind of leader every employee would be fortunate to work with. Aaron is a true culture-shaper and a leader among leaders.
His communication style is both strong and approachable, making him easy to connect with. He is deeply respected and admired by his team, and his time or a quick conversation is always readily available. Aaron provides clear direction while empowering others to take ownership of their areas of expertise.
Working with Aaron is an absolute joy, and he stands out as one of the best leaders I’ve had the privilege of knowing. He’s the kind of person you’ll stay in touch with long after your professional journey together ends.
Clive Jainarain - National Operations Manager
I had the privilege of working with Aaron for 13 months, and in that short time, I learnt more than I could have imagined. He is a true people-centric leader who effortlessly connects across all levels of an organisation. Always approachable, always present—he made time for his team and welcomed every idea, no matter how small.
His attention to detail and hands-on approach showed a deep commitment to understanding the business from the ground up. More than anything, Aaron is a genuine change leader—strategic, inspiring, and grounded. It was an honour to work under his leadership.
Think clearly. Lead deliberately. Build to Perform.
Join Build to Perform for practical thinking that helps leaders make clearer decisions, strengthen accountability and improve organisational performance.
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