Tales from the Trenches is a no-BS masterclass distilling 30 years of raw, real-world experience advising Boards and CEOs at the highest levels. Through war stories, brutal truths, and sharp insights, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at power plays in the boardroom, the isolation of leadership, strategy gone sideways, and the need to prioritise values over revenue. From meltdowns to turnarounds, this session is packed with the unfiltered lessons, patterns, and power moves that separate great leaders from the merely competent – no theory, just hard-earned wisdom from the front lines.
WHY ATTEND
- This masterclass offers what books and MBAs can’t – real, unvarnished lessons from decades spent inside boardrooms during moments of crisis, conflict, and critical decision-making
- Gain rare insight into the dynamics of power, the traps even seasoned leaders fall into, and how to navigate complex situations with clarity, courage, and credibility
- If you want to avoid expensive mistakes, challenge your thinking, and lead with more edge and impact—this is where you get the playbook
WHAT WILL YOU SHOW
- Real-world case stories – anonymised but authentic
- “Do vs. don’t” moments pulled from experience
- Case studies where leaders were forced to choose between short-term gain and long-term values
- The litmus test: “If this decision hits the front page tomorrow, can you defend it without flinching?”
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS
- Unfiltered insight from real experience – get behind the curtain of boardrooms and executive suites… no theory, no fluff
- Avoid costly mistakes – discover the patterns of failure that even smart, seasoned leaders fall into—and how to avoid them before they cost your reputation
- Sharpen strategic judgment – learn how to navigate complex decisions, conflicting priorities, and high-stakes conversations with clarity and confidence, especially when values and revenue collide
This masterclass will make you smarter, sharper, and more prepared for the realities of top-tier leadership
WHAT WILL YOU WALK AWAY WITH
Participants of this masterclass will leave with more than just stories – they’ll walk away sharper, more grounded, and better equipped to lead or advise at the highest levels
- Hard-earned lessons that don’t show up in textbooks – real, unfiltered insights from 30 years inside boardrooms… what works, what fails, and why smart people still get it wrong
- Clarity on power, influence & integrity – understand how to hold your ground, drive impact, and lead with conviction… even in the face of resistance, ego, or ethical tension
- A rare perspective shared by few – this isn’t recycled leadership theory… it’s the kind of wisdom you only get from someone who’s been in the room when the real decisions are made
HOW WILL YOU FEEL AFTER (the 1% er)
- Energised – inspired by raw, real stories that cut through corporate jargon and reconnect them to the real work of leadership… courage, clarity, and conviction
- Clearer – more confident in navigating tough decisions – especially when values and revenues clash – and more grounded in what really matters
- You will leave with more confidence, more clarity, and more courage
WHO SHOULD YOU INVITE AND SHOULD ATTEND -WHY
- CEOs and C-suite executives ready to sharpen their crisis leadership
- Senior leaders preparing to step into top roles with confidence
- Founders and scale-up leaders aiming for sustainable, values-driven growth
- Aspiring board directors looking to build real-world influence
Because this isn’t theory or fluff. You’ll get raw, unfiltered stories and battle-tested experience that reveals what really happens behind closed doors – and how to lead with clarity, courage, and impact when the pressure is on.
If you want to avoid costly mistakes and lead with integrity and edge, this masterclass is for you.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER: RONN BECHLER
Over the past 30 years, Ronn Bechler has been a trusted advisor to the Boards and management teams of many well-known Australian companies, enabling the successful execution of private and public company growth strategies.
Spotting an opportunity, he pioneered corporatised investor relations consulting in Australia, while also breaking a near-monopoly in shareholder data, establishing Market Eye and growing it year-on-year for 15 years into the largest investor relations consultancy and second largest shareholder data business in the country. Having successfully sold the business to Automic Group in August 2022, Ronn was appointed as 1 of 2 Executive Directors on the Board of Automic Group.
After 28 years of working 6-7 day weeks, he retired from Automic Group in February 2024 to pursue non-executive and investment opportunities. In addition to managing investments, Ronn is a non-executive director of Kogan.com (ASX: KGN) and Advisory Board Chairman of Argall (private architectural engineering firm), as well as being involved with several not-for-profit organisations.