How would you describe your leadership style?

I want my team to have the opportunity to express themselves and contribute to our success rather than just respond to my direction, so my style allows that to happen. Morale is really important – people work most effectively when they are happy and motivated.  They’ll put in the discretionary extra time.  I have faith in my people because I don’t have all the answers – never will do – so there’s always an element of teamwork when I’m involved. That said, it’s also important to be able to make decisions quickly and to react when required, so sometimes a group hug isn’t the answer and decisions need to come from me.  It’s a balancing act and I think my team gets that.

What is your definition of success?

Well, that depends if we’re talking about movie streaming or wider success, which for me means health, happiness and family. As for movie streaming, it’s too early to tell. The NZ market is only just getting started, and when you consider it likely that all content will be delivered over the internet in the future, it’s a long game that we’re playing. 

What are the three best books you've read?

I studied a lot of literature at school and uni but I mainly read for escapism these days.

Best recent book: Bad Monkey - Carl Hiaasen, one of my absolute favourite writers (with honourable mentions to Elmore Leonard and Lee Child)

Best recent non-fiction: Open - Andre Agassi (I enjoy tennis but it’s not my sport, but Agassi’s writing is fantastic: brutal, honest and… open)

Favourite of all time: One Hundred Years of Solitude -  Gabriel García Márquez

What motivates you, and how do you stay motivated?

That’s easy: there are so many things to do in the day and never enough time, so I’m always motivated. I’m also lucky enough to work in a sector that is particularly fast-moving and changing all the time, so no two days are the same. That really helps!  Otherwise I think of the finishing line – whatever it is I’m working on, and especially when it’s something tough, I try to imagine that I’ve just achieved it and how good that feels.  Then I go back to the task in hand and it feels that little bit easier.

How do you generate your most creative thoughts?

Usually alone. They can be finessed (or dismissed) through discussion with others, but when I’m on my own and my mind starts freestyling, that’s when I sometimes have an idea or two that may be worthwhile. No particular place though, and certainly not in the shower.

What do you do when you hit a low or things aren't going your way?

Keep fighting. If you’re doing the right things then your luck will change.

What's getting your arse out of bed at the moment?

Initially, my young kids and the lure of coffee. From there, the exciting challenge of bringing video streaming to the masses as soon as possible.

What is the most important piece of advice you'd give to an aspiring leader?

Be true to yourself, your values and your vision, but cast them in such a way as to inspire others to share in them with you.