Clarity in strategy, communications and impact

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How i create clarity

A glass marble on a sandy beach with the ocean and sunlight reflecting in the background.

Helping leaders make sense of complexity and set a clear direction.

Universities operate in environments shaped by competing priorities, rapid change and complex internal dynamics. I bring structure, focus, and honest insight to help leaders understand what matters, identify what needs improvement, and move forward with confidence.

What I deliver

  • Strategic narrative and organisational positioning

  • Research impact strategy and pathways

  • Honest assessment of what needs to improve and support to act on it

  • Senior-level workshops on strategy, priorities and impact

Outcomes

Stronger strategies, shared understanding, and a more confident foundation for decision-making.

Clarity

A flock of nine white birds flying in the overcast sky.

Helping people work together around shared goals.

Complex organisations often struggle not because of a lack of expertise, but because effort is fragmented across roles, teams and priorities. I help leaders strengthen communication, build trust and create the conditions for coordinated action.

What I deliver

  • Leadership advisory and team alignment

  • Internal and stakeholder communications

  • Facilitation for senior teams and cross-functional groups

  • Workshops that build shared purpose and coherent communication

Outcomes

Clearer communication, stronger collaboration and more effective organisational flow.

Alignment

Close-up of a water droplet creating ripples on the surface of water.

Turning strategy and expertise into visible, meaningful outcomes.

Impact requires more than activity or reporting. I help organisations, researchers and professional staff strengthen pathways to impact, clarify evidence of change and communicate outcomes in ways that support adoption, influence and long-term value.

What I deliver

  • Thought leadership for visibility, marketing and long-term viability

  • External relations, partnerships and policy influence

  • Impact case studies, knowledge exchange narratives and award entries

  • Workshops on influence, visibility and real-world engagement

Outcomes

Stronger visibility, credible narratives and clearer pathways to impact.

IMPACT

Selected work

Black and white portrait of Derek Main with short hair, beard, and mustache, wearing a collared shirt, looking slightly to the side.

About me

I work as a strategy, communications and impact advisor, supporting organisations, leaders and researchers to make sense of complexity and turn ideas into meaningful outcomes.

My work spans higher education, research and other complex organisational environments where priorities compete, and decisions carry real consequences. I work with leadership teams and individuals who need clarity of direction, sound judgement and a steady hand in politically or institutionally sensitive contexts.

I combine strategic insight with practical delivery, supporting leaders, teams and individuals to clarify what matters, align around shared priorities and make progress that is both credible and usable. I use judgement, influence and emotional intelligence to coach, challenge and support stakeholders at all levels, particularly when time is tight and the stakes are high.

I take a pragmatic, improvement-focused approach to organisational challenges. I am comfortable testing ideas, learning from what does not work and helping organisations adapt so they can deliver on priorities and create lasting value. Everything I do is guided by a commitment to clarity, alignment and impact.