Live well. Perform well.
About Dr Gordon Spence
My work is all about helping people balance doing well with feeling good. For me, this is more than just a nice idea…as I’ve seen lots of ‘great’ performers pay too high a price for their success.
When I work with individuals, teams and organisations, my focus is on optimal functioning. Helping people put the foundations in place for great performance, whilst also making sure they look after themselves.
Live well. Perform well.
I do this with a fairly unique set of skills, knowledge and experience, gathered from 20+ years working as a psychologist, educator, researcher, organisational consultant and performance coach. And because I’m a life-long learner, I’m currently adding exercise science to that mix !
MindTrek
I founded MindTrek in 2002, just after starting my doctorate. I started it because my PhD was very practically focused, and I wanted to ensure I always had a strong research-to-practice connection.
In the two decades since, MindTrek has been providing individuals, teams and organisations with an array of bespoke services, including organisational consulting, executive-leadership-workplace coaching, workshop facilitation, keynote speaking and contract research.
Research
All of my consulting and coaching work is evidence-based. This means I keep up to date with developments in health and behavioural science that are relevant to the needs of clients.
Whilst I’m no longer a full-time academic, over the past 20 years I’ve been able to make some contributions to knowledge through my research activities. This has included publishing numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and co-editing one book on leadership and one on coaching.
“There are rare times in life that you have the privilege of meeting someone who influences you in such a way that your life is better off for knowing them…Gordon is one of those people.”
— SIMONE, PAST STUDENT & CLIENT
“I was referred to Gordon as part of a 6-month leadership coaching initiative. I found it extremely useful for developing insight into my own and other’s behaviours, whilst providing tools to use in my health leadership role. Gordon was very professional, adaptable, and easy to talk with. We shared an enjoyment of the outdoors, so several sessions were walking meetings. This worked well as it helped me to feel at ease and enabled discussion of sensitive work issues in detail. I would recommend Gordon to others and am planning to engage him again in the future.”
— JESSIE - DEPUTY DIRECTOR, EMERGENCY MEDICINE
“After working in a public health environment for 20+ years, I had developed habits and biases I didn’t know I had. With Gordon’s help I came to understand these better, whilst learning a lot about interpersonal “gymnastics”, supporting the autonomy of others and developing new perspectives. The challenge and support that Gordon provided helped me stretch as a leader and grow professionally.”
— KAREN SMITH – MANAGER, PEOPLE AND CULTURE MANAGER
“Gordon’s background and experience were exactly what I needed for my project. From the start, he took the time to get to know me, help me identify my strengths and work out how to best utilise them. I enjoyed the brainstorming we did together and his solution-focused, supportive approach. As a result I’ve developed bigger perspectives and better strategies, moved more out of my comfort zone, and achieved the project objectives. I would highly recommend Gordon to anyone who wants to optimise specific personal and professional outcomes.”
— DIANE – FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
