Wow, it’s tough to summarize 30 years of consulting! I’ve been fortunate enough to work on some of the most interesting and largest transformation programs across the globe—all over the US, in Germany, Japan, Australia, and throughout APAC (Asia Pacific).  All these experiences, especially the exposure to diverse cultures, languages, approaches, and styles, have shaped me both personally and professionally.  

There have been so many, but here’s an important one: I started my career in the US working in what was very much a command-and-control environment. Working in other countries—especially Japan, where consensus is key and I was a minority and unfamiliar with the language and the culture—taught me to observe, listen, adapt. That’s enabled me to evolve and be more effective across APAC. It’s helped me work with the next generation of people and with collaborative methods and approaches too.

My life revolves around my family: my wife Kelly, our boys Lucas, 19, Adam, 17, and Aaron, 15. Our latest addition is Olive, a groodle (goldendoodle) puppy. We’re kept busy around the boys’ interests in sports, art, and dance. We love to take advantage of the spoils of Melbourne outdoor life. Living a five-minute walk from the water, we enjoy starting our day with a walk, a run, or a paddle along the bay or maybe some golf or mountain biking.

Slalom will have expanded its footprint to all major markets across the world. 

Here’s a fun fact: I am the great-great-grandson of a Japanese princess, and fourth in line to the throne. OK, not really. That’s just the story I tell when asked “Where did the name Shimota come from?” The truth is not as cool. It was a translation error. Dad’s side is Bohemian (Western Czech) and my grandparents got the spelling from immigration.