Our Story
Welcome to XL Strategy, based in the vibrant city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Our journey began with a vision from our founder, Duncan, who noticed a critical gap in the business world: a significant lack of investment in leadership behaviours and the tools necessary for fostering effective leadership. This realisation sparked a question: How can we make a meaningful difference, one leader at a time, and thereby enhance our entire community?
At XL Strategy, we are driven by a passion for uncovering and nurturing individual strengths. We believe that by developing better business leaders, we're not just improving workplaces—we're enhancing lives at home and across communities in New Zealand and Australia. Our approach is as dynamic as it is thoughtful. Like a chameleon, we listen attentively and adapt to the unique needs of each individual we work with.
We equip our clients across Australasia with a new set of tools—a toolbox for leadership that enables them to create positive, sustainable environments and cultures in their organisations. Our mission is to transform good leaders into great ones, and great organisations into exceptional ones. At XL Strategy, we're dedicated to Building Strong Leaders for Stronger Communities, both locally and across the broader Australasian region.
Our Team
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Executive Coach
Duncan Hasson, a seasoned Senior Executive Leader and Business Coach with over two decades of experience, employs a unique coaching model that integrates Behavioural Science to develop high-performance teams. This model focuses on identifying and nurturing key behavioural traits that drive individual and team success. Through a blend of one-on-one coaching sessions and team workshops, Duncan equips coachees with the tools to understand their own behaviour patterns and those of their teammates. This understanding fosters a collaborative environment where team members can leverage their strengths and address area for improvement.
Duncan’s approach emphasises the application of Behavioural Science principles to enhance communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills within teams. He believes that by cultivating a deeper understanding of behaviours, leaders can more effectively motivate their teams, drive engagement, and achieve outstanding results. His coaching sessions are tailored to the unique needs of each team, ensuring that strategies are practical, actionable, and aligned with the organisation’s goals.
Through XL Strategy’s comprehensive support framework, Duncan Hasson offers ongoing guidance to ensure that leaders and their teams continue to develop and apply these skills over time, leading to sustained performance improvements and a competitive edge in their respective industries.
Duncan Hasson has distinguished himself through remarkable achievements in enhancing business performance. His key accomplishments include:
Conducting detailed investigations and implementing new organisational frameworks, coupled with communication enhancement strategies, leading to improved team performance and profitability.
Offering leadership coaching to General Managers and Senior Leaders, facilitating the development of growth strategies and executing significant turnarounds.
Leading cultural transformations within organisations, advocating for modern leadership practices and driving substantial positive change.
Identifying and nurturing potential leaders, equipping them for CEO-level positions.
Remarkably turning around a major Tier 1 construction company in the South Island from significant losses to sustainable profits within two years.
Duncan Hasson, with over 25 years of leadership in engineering and construction, notably impacts the rail, tunneling, and infrastructure sectors. As Director at XL Strategy since 2021, he’s pivotal in shaping business strategies, leadership coaching, and project management, significantly enhancing profitability and leadership within Tier 2 and 3 businesses. His tenure includes transformative roles at McConnell Dowell and Higgins Contracting, where he drove substantial revenue growth and profitability turnarounds. Notably, his leadership in the Auckland City Rail Link tender and various high-profile projects across New Zealand and the UK showcases his strategic and operational expertise. Duncan’s approach combines behavioral science with hands-on leadership, fostering high-performance teams and successful project deliveries
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Business Coach
Gareth Nissen stands out as a visionary business leadership coach, with an impressive career spanning over 25 years. Specialising in elevating the skills of middle management and frontline supervisors within the construction industry, Gareth has demonstrated unparalleled success in both New Zealand and the UK. His approach, deeply rooted in behavioural science, is designed to foster high-performing behaviours and create psychologically safe work environments that encourage openness and teamwork.
His transformative impact is evident from his tenure at Tayside Contracts in Scotland, where he turned a struggling depot into a beacon of positivity and efficiency, to his strategic role at MacAsphalt, where he rebuilt trust and transparency among the workforce. Under Duncan Hasson’s mentorship at Higgins, Gareth’s leadership was instrumental in reversing financial losses and significantly enhancing the company’s market reputation. At Downer, his strategies not only tripled the business size but also cultivated a culture where people felt valued, motivated, and part of a successful team.
Gareth’s coaching philosophy is anchored in practical application, ensuring that leadership skills are not just taught but are embedded within the fabric of the organisation. His expertise not only in guiding teams but also in strategic business planning, financial management, and operational excellence makes him a pivotal figure in transforming business landscapes. Gareth Nissen is not just a coach but a catalyst for sustainable business growth and leadership development, making him an invaluable asset to any organisation looking to achieve excellence in the construction industry.
Gareth Nissen brings a unique approach to coaching, emphasising the importance of stepping into challenging territories for growth. He skilfully navigates coachees through uncomfortable spaces, encouraging them to push beyond their comfort zones. This method is aimed at unlocking higher performance levels both for individuals and their teams. Gareth’s sessions are designed to confront and address areas of potential growth, fostering a resilient mindset that thrives on overcoming obstacles and achieving excellence. Through this process, coachees are prepared to lead with confidence, drive impactful team dynamics, and achieve significant organisational advancements.
Gareth Nissen’s distinct advantage as a coach lies in his certification and expertise in the Gazing RED2BLUE program. This innovative coaching framework equips individuals with the mental tools needed to excel under pressure, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. RED2BLUE focuses on enhancing performance by shifting from reactive (Red) states to proactive, composed (Blue) states. Gareth’s application of this technique ensures that coachees are not only prepared for high-stakes situations but also capable of maintaining clarity and purpose across all aspects of life, including professional, personal, and athletic endeavors. This holistic approach fosters continuous improvement, enabling individuals to perform optimally when it matters most.