Innovating a world of possibilities

Peter Kronborg is a man who believes the world is full of possibilities rather than problems. As a respected international business leader, he has created a career guiding individuals and organisations to achieve their potential despite increasingly challenging circumstances. 

“Just about anything can be turned around with a combination of thinking, leadership and commitment. This applies to business as much as individuals,” Mr Kronborg says. 

Once a lawyer for Allens Arthur Robinson, Mr Kronborg went on to pursue a career in management after completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Melbourne Business School in 1979.

“I enrolled in the MBA to hone my business skills in management and to improve my corporate credibility. It was during my time at the Business School that I was taught to view seemingly disastrous problems as potential opportunities,” he says.

“When I began the MBA, I knew I would acquire the fundamental tools of management, including strategy, finance and marketing. But I also learnt the deeper lesson – the value of people in organisations,” he says.

“The motivations of people are not only central to their personal fulfilment, but essential to defining an organisation’s purpose and direction.”

Mr Kronborg has undertaken a diverse range of organisational challenges over the years, tackling specialist areas including marketing, headhunting, strategy, finance and governance.

He became a corporate lawyer for Carnation/Nestlé International and later took up general management and director roles. Mr Kronborg has held key positions in the Myer Group (later Coles Myer), Egon Zehnder International and Korn/Ferry International, the world’s largest corporate executive search group.

After spending time working for multinationals, Mr Kronborg expanded his personal development, undertaking courses in life coaching and pursuing his love of travel. Throughout his career he has spent time venturing to lesser-known destinations including the Galapagos Islands, the upper Ganges, the South China Sea and Antarctica. 

“I’ve had some amazing adventures but they are not without dangers, some of which have been life-threatening. But each experience was life-informing and evolved into something remarkable,” he says. 

“Understanding what drives us as people and helping us to appreciate our deeper selves was part of a much broader realisation for me. I’m passionate about guiding and encouraging individuals to find deeper connections beyond simply their job or their roles in life,” he says. 

Mr Kronborg’s maxim ‘explore, expand, engage’ led him to other domains of the business world. In 2002, as an entrepreneur, he co-founded Oppeus International, providing strategic leadership advice to many boards including BHPBilliton, Medibank, and the COAG Reform Council. 

“I was really interested in innovating through a start-up (the company became a BRW Fast 100 awardee). It also consolidated my expertise in governance, organisation development, leadership and remuneration,” he says.

Mr Kronborg successfully sold his equity three years ago to pursue a broader portfolio as an Adviser and Director. His appointments include Creativity Australia, the AICD (Australian Institute of Company Directors) and the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA).

“ESTA is a fascinating organisation which provides the cutting-edge backbone of emergency services communications in Victoria. But it has a higher purpose than the provision of advanced technologies and Triple 0 services. I’ve always been interested in ESTA’s profound organisational motivation – saving time, saving lives.” he says. 

Founded in 2008, Creativity Australia produces creative programs that bring people together from disparate backgrounds (including CEOs, asylum-seekers, youth, executives and people with disabilities) to develop ‘bridges of understanding’ in the community. 

“For many years I have dedicated time to the not-for-profit sector, including The Royal Flying Doctor Service and Melbourne Business School. This interest was grounded in my time at the business school. Such organisations are essential to the wellbeing of people and they are vital to producing innovative solutions to society’s problems,” he says.

“For Australia to thrive, more emphasis must be placed on innovation and leadership. I am passionate about enabling business leaders to see the value of innovation programs and leadership that result in both profits and a better world,” he says. 

www.mbs.unimelb.edu.au

www.creativityaustralia.org.au