This power-packed keynote offers leaders and executives the missing piece of the puzzle on their mental wellbeing journey.   ​ Drawing on deep personal experience from his mental wellbeing journey, Mark helps attendees identify their greatest limiting belief - the inner talk-track holding them back. ​​ Combining case studies and academic research he then delivers the tools and insights needed to transform the stories we tell ourselves. Experience THE STORY CODE live Is your team Fired up, or b urnt out? Connect your organisational heroes with their true character, narrative and destiny story; and see them light up when they realise chaos, obstacles, struggles, even burnout, can be recast as a critical moment in every great story: it's what the hero does next that matters. Live audiences at 'Fired Up, or Burnout?' share a palpably vulnerable experience of honest leadership as Mark shares raw behind-the-scenes moments into his own spiral into depression and burnout. With the clarity of hindsight, a new storytelling mindset, and (sleep, therapy, nutrition, exercise), it's plain it wasn't the end of his origin to destiny story. As a teenager he'd dreamed of being a journalist. After working his way through the ranks he got his dream job as IT editor of the Australian Financial Review . Now as a family man with four children and a solid marriage, his destiny story became blurry. But in the moment of sweaty palms, racing heart and piqued cortisol - the first of many panic attacks, Mark's rational gave way to sensory overwhelm. After decades as a professional storyteller who wrote front-page news stories, shaped the narratives of blue-chip brands, and literally wrote the book on shaping brand stories to change behaviour and boost sales, his stage crumbled. Burnout is cast as an almost inevitable villain in modern corporate life. The relentless pace of change in this era of AI and global polycrisis blurs and breaks predictable patterns of right and wrong, heroes and villains, origin and destiny. We're in an identity spiral where 3 in 5 of us hit rock bottom. How do you help the heroes in your organisation overcome obstacles and failures? In this unforgettable keynote, Storytelling Mindset Expert and Author of the Amazon best-selling book The Story Code for Leaders , Mark Jones offers a new script for HR leaders, entrepreneurs, department heads, executives and high-performers: rewriting our inner stories, giving voice to our hero character, and rehearsing new scripts will unlock clarity, confidence and optimism for the journey ahead. Mark shares his own origin-to-destiny story that never imagined his own spiral into burnout and depression. Then how the lessons he'd learned from almost three decades as a journalist, brand storyteller and successful entrepreneur helped him create a new storytelling scaffold out of self-doubt and limiting beliefs. Drawing on his radical new take on corporate brand storytelling principles applied to individual life and leadership narratives, Mark equips audiences with practical strategies to reframe their inner voice and lead with purpose, clarity and confidence. What audiences learn: How to silence their inner critic and identify stories holding them back Leadership strategies for clarity, confidence, and purpose – even under pressure Storytelling skills to build resilience and real momentum. Ideal for: Sales kick-off events Leadership and professional development events HR, L&D and People & Culture teams: wellbeing, mindset and performance Individuals and teams navigating change, burnout, or transition Leaders committed to unlocking the full potential of every hero in their corporate story. Categories & themes: Leadership development, storytelling & communication, mental wellbeing, personal growth, self-leadership, purpose & culture, narrative psychology, mindset storytelling. Perfect for: Corporate teams, government agencies, education providers, healthcare professionals, not-for-profits, fundraising organisations, values-driven businesses. The human mind is wired to recognise storytelling patterns. Some of us are stuck in the plot twist. A standout communicator, event host and an absolute professional. Helen Dean, VP Applications & Integrated Marketing JPAC, Oracle Exceptional . An absolute delight to have Mark as a keynote speaker and host. Helena Stylman, Managing Director ANZ, Comexposium A gifted storyteller who brings heart and clarity to his work Louise Cummins, former CMO, World Vision Australia

Mark Jones is an acclaimed leadership keynote speaker, facilitator and executive coach who helps leaders move from self-doubt to success. Welcome to the stage, Author & Speaker Keynote speaker Mark's signature keynote inspires leaders to master a storytelling mindset. Mark fuses humour with authenticity and a proven framework to help leaders rewrite the stories they tell themselves. Speaking topics Event host & MC Ready for mastery at work? Mark makes audiences feel right at home and ready to learn. He also brings events alive with masterful storytelling, in-depth panel discussions and his infectious energy. Facilitation Info Mindset coaching Disengagement, burnout and a lack of alignment across teams crushes your organisation's productivity and performance. Mark's programs help leaders and teams write a new story that changes everything. Coaching info Subscribe for stories & mindset mastery hacks sent straight to your inbox Enter your email here Subscribe Cracking choice! Chat soon. Hey there, I’m Mark. I’m a motivational speaker, author and storytelling mindset coach for leaders. I help leaders overcome self-doubt by rewriting the stories they tell themselves. Using proven strategies from The Story Code ™ and Beliefonomics ™ – I challenge and empower leaders to own their narrative, identify the characters they need in their own life story, and get specific with neuroscience-informed scripts and scenarios that'll change everything. Let's chat about making your event unforgettable. "Self-talk is the forgotten fourth pillar of self-care - the key to unlocking your eating, sleeping and exercise goals. You're in safe hands. Mark Jones is a Certified Speaking Professional, company director, successful entrepreneur, and respected journalist and podcast host. He's consistently rated 'excellent' by clients, event organisers and speaker agencies. Challenging Mark’s presentation was really thought-provoking and insightful for our broader marketing team. It challenged traditional approaches to the way companies talk about their brands and highlighted why a brand story helps build stronger emotional connections between a brand and its key audiences. Brand & Communications Manager UniSuper Insig htful I know how tough it is to engage staff and customers. I can fully recommend Mark’s keynote as a clear way of using storytelling to meet this challenge. The content and delivery is insightful, real, and easy to apply - exactly what you enjoy from a business speaker! Daniel Davis , A/NZ Regional Leader EOS Worldwide Engaging Mark Jones has got a great way of thinking strategically and pushing out to the future with an approach beneficial to brands, particularly those reaching the Millennials. Julie Praestiin , Head of Corporate Communications Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing Book Mark! Check Mark's availability, get a rate card or arrange a chat. First Name Last Name Email Message Subscribe to Mark's newsletter - Mark my Words! Send Thanks! I'll be in touch shortly. Clients Mark's worked with leaders and brands across five continents for three decades. Here's a mix of current and former clients .

MARK JONES gets inside your head, literally. "Once you rewrite the stories you're telling yourself, everything changes." SPEAKER Book Mark as your next stage speaker, workshop leader or engaging Q&A panel host. Guarantee rave reviews as people leave feeling challenged, inspired and ready to crack the code on writing and living out their best chapter yet in the workplace, and beyond. Transformational. Experience MARK JONES live . AUTHOR The biggest obstacle to being our best selves isn’t the economy, competition, or even AI - it’s the stories we tell ourselves. Mark layers research, interviews and his own spiral into burnout, with a life-changing framework to flip the script, and thrive. Your best chapter starts here. Only $34.95. Buy THE STORY CODE book. COACH Encode a storytelling mindset with tailored 1:1 or group coaching and curriculum with The Story Code Academy individual and team certification, and bespoke corporate programs. Two full-day off-site workshops in Sydney and Melbourne in 2026 - register your interest ASAP. Commit & thrive. Encode THE STORY CODE habits . About Mark Subscribe to SUBSTACK. More than a blog. Discover articles by world-class journalist & thinker, Mark Jones, along with guest contributors, and interviews with experts in narrative intelligence, psychology, leadership, entrepreneurship, corporate wellness, HR and resilience. Excerpts of Mark's bestseller book, The Story Code are also published here. Get n ews + insights on the power of a storytelling mindset direct to your inbox. Discover a proven CODE to unlock a storytelling mindset guaranteed to help every leader: - Unlock resilience through change - Inspire career optimism and energy - Change lives and mindsets.

Ever wondered what truly sets top leaders apart? Is it just their experience, or is there something more? From my own journey and countless conversations with senior leaders, I’ve found that coaching for executives plays a pivotal role in shaping not just careers but entire organisations. Let’s dive into why this is such a game-changer. Why Executive Coaching Is More Important Than Ever Leadership today isn’t what it used to be. The pace is faster, the stakes are higher, and the pressure? Well, it’s relentless. So, how do leaders keep their edge without burning out? That’s where coaching steps in. Think of coaching as your personal GPS in the complex world of leadership. It helps you navigate challenges, spot opportunities, and avoid costly detours. But it’s not just about problem-solving. It’s about unlocking potential you didn’t even know you had. For example, I once worked with a CEO who was struggling with self-doubt. Through targeted coaching, she transformed her internal narrative, gaining confidence that rippled through her entire team. The result? A 30% increase in team productivity and a renewed company culture. Key benefits of coaching for executives include: Enhanced self-awareness and emotional intelligence Improved decision-making skills Greater resilience under pressure Stronger communication and influence Clearer vision and strategic focus Coaching session setup for executives How Executive Coaching Programs Drive Real Change You might be asking, “What exactly happens in these executive coaching programs ?” Great question! These programs are designed to be highly personalised, focusing on your unique challenges and goals. Here’s a typical flow: Assessment - Understanding your leadership style, strengths, and blind spots through tools and feedback. Goal Setting - Defining what success looks like for you personally and professionally. Action Planning - Creating a roadmap with clear, achievable steps. Ongoing Support - Regular sessions to reflect, adjust, and celebrate progress. One memorable case was a senior executive who wanted to improve team engagement. Through coaching, he learned to listen more actively and delegate effectively. Within months, his team’s morale soared, and turnover dropped significantly. The beauty of these programs is that they don’t just scratch the surface. They dig deep into mindset shifts, behavioural changes, and leadership habits that stick. The Ripple Effect: Beyond the Individual Leader Here’s something I find fascinating: the impact of coaching doesn’t stop with the executive. It cascades through the entire organisation. When a leader grows, their team grows. When a leader gains clarity, the company gains direction. Imagine a senior executive who, after coaching, starts fostering a culture of openness and innovation. Suddenly, employees feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and collaborate more effectively. The result? Increased creativity, faster problem-solving, and better business outcomes. This ripple effect is why investing in coaching is not just a personal development expense. It’s a strategic business decision. Executive leading a team meeting after coaching Practical Tips to Maximise Your Coaching Experience If you’re considering coaching or already on the journey, here are some tips to get the most out of it: Be open and honest : Coaching works best when you’re willing to be vulnerable and transparent. Set clear goals : Know what you want to achieve and communicate it clearly. Commit to action : Coaching is not passive. You need to apply insights and try new behaviours. Seek feedback : Ask your coach and colleagues for honest feedback regularly. Reflect often : Take time to think about what’s working and what’s not. Remember, coaching is a partnership. The more you invest emotionally and mentally, the richer the rewards. Embracing the Future of Leadership Growth So, what’s next for leaders who want to stay ahead? The future is all about continuous learning and adaptability. Executive coaching programs are evolving to include digital tools, peer learning, and even AI-driven insights. But at its core, the essence remains the same: transforming your internal story to unlock your full potential. As Mark Jones highlights in his work, changing the narrative you tell yourself can be the key to overcoming self-doubt and driving growth. If you’re ready to take that step, remember that coaching is not a sign of weakness. It’s a bold move towards becoming the leader you were meant to be. There you have it - a deep dive into the impact of coaching for executives. It’s more than just a buzzword; it’s a powerful catalyst for change. So, what’s holding you back from exploring this path? Your next breakthrough might just be one coaching session away.

We all have an inner voice – a constant stream of thoughts narrating our lives, offering advice, opinions, and feedback on everything we do.   But for many professionals – including me – this voice can sound like a mean soccer coach.   Our quiet, inner narrator says stuff like, “I don’t think I can do this, I’m in over my head,” or “I’m not as smart as others.”     Staggeringly, 70% of people will experience imposter syndrome – feeling unqualified for their roles despite evident success – at least once in their lives, according to a study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science .   Research also reveals it’s not just an experience shared by early-career professionals but people right across the spectrum of working life. Seasoned leaders, entrepreneurs, and even CEOs frequently face self-doubt, often in silence.   In a global survey by KPMG , 75% of female executives admitted to having experienced imposter syndrome at some point during their careers. It’s also troubling many women in traditionally male-dominated fields such as science, engineering, technology and health sciences experience imposter syndrome. As for other genders, academic research shows few differences. However, it’s an open secret we men rarely drop our guard.   So, what’s wrong with these stories we tell ourselves?   The core issue is limiting beliefs are self-fulfilling. Over time, they shape how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible.   In fact, Dr. Valerie Young , psychologist and author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women , says they also drive behaviours that limit our potential, such as avoiding new challenges to downplaying achievements.   This silent struggle is particularly prevalent in the workplace. High-pressure environments, expectations of success, social media’s obsession with comparisons, and competition for jobs lead many professionals to suppress their self-doubt.   People can feel trapped behind a facade of confidence while privately questioning their worth. Fake it till you make it! It’s a dangerous disconnect, where even those at the top feel isolated and fearful of being “found out” as inadequate. I’ve been there, done that and got the grey hairs!   Storytelling to the rescue   The good news is these stories we tell ourselves are not fixed. Our inner narrative can be rewritten, a positive self-image can be revived. This too is part of my story.   The first step is to embrace one deeply cathartic idea: You’re not alone .   Why does this matter? Because it helps you crush harmful narratives.   For example, I once listed off my stress inputs during a walk with a good friend. We got up to about 10 different stressors impacting me at work and in my personal life. I truly felt alone in the struggle.   “You know that’s not normal, right? my wise mate countered. "Most people have just a few stresses.” Turns out I had forgotten what should be normal. But I wasn’t alone, and it was a profound moment.   Of course, moments like this are just one part of the journey. What matters is you keep moving forward with others, rewriting your narrative one line at a time.   'Stories We Tell Ourselves' is an exciting, breakthrough keynote by Mark Jones. His message of vulnerability, courage and optimism ignites positive change. Read more here .

This week I presented a real-time 'choose your own adventure' session at Mumbrella360. The live virtual audience chose one of two 'broken brands' and we used my diagnostic approach to operate on it in real-time surgery. Offered Mitre10 or Target, the audience chose ... Target! Here's what happened. How do you fix a broken brand? Every marketer faces this dilemma at least once in their career. The trouble is, how do you know if your brand, product or service is truly broken? Perhaps it’s just a bit damaged, or neglected. We often get so close to our brands that it’s hard to tell. It feels ok to you, but is that what the data says? I’ve distilled this complex issue into just three simple stages and this week we’ll apply my diagnostic questions to one broken brand you know very well. But first, a story Way back in pre-covid times, my colleague Paula and I sketched out this crazy idea for how to fix a broken brand in real-time. It was a pitch for this year’s Mumbrella360 event, hosted virtually last week. The crazy idea was I’d give the audience a choice of two pre-selected broken brands. Inspired by the memory of choose-your-own-adventure books, we'd have the audience choose one brand and together fix it on the spot. I had to be ready to go either way! Well, Mumbrella loved the idea, but since then everything changed. The live audience was to become a virtual one. Audible feedback and audience eye contact replaced by scrolling chatter on an iPad. Gulp. How’s this thing going to work? This wasn’t in my script! Analogy for the real thing It’s only now, having (successfully!) delivered the virtual experience, that I realised my own journey from clarity to complexity, mirrored the challenges we face with broken brands. Photography: Zahrina Robertson We can easily imagine a big brand campaign, large budgets and spend months laying the groundwork for a career defining moment, only for the perfect combinations of a global pandemic, budget cuts and layoffs to come in and wreck everything. So, what do you do when faced with the cold hard reality of more with less? Well, glad you asked! Here’s how I tackled the issue during my session. Step 1: Know what you’re fixing You can’t fix a broken brand without knowing exactly what you’re fixing. Call me Captain Obvious, but it’s a serious point. The fact is business leaders often have conflicting views of what constitutes “the brand”. Is it the name, the logo, or the idea of what your organisation stands for? Others talk about the importance of a go-to-market strategy. A brand is considered a mere speed bump on the road to sales glory. My simple definition is this: That is, your organisation is like a mirror, reflecting the story your customers tell out there in the world. You’re the embodiment of felt needs, desires, aspirations and random impulse purchases. Importantly, if we understand a brand as a customer story, it isolates the issue. If the brand is broken, it means the customer story is broken in some fashion. The remedy? Understand what customers are actually saying, and respond in a way that better reflects reality and future aspirations. Step 2: Know thy brand For the sake of example, let’s use the brand the audience opted to “fix” during my Mumbrella session: Target. Why Target? In the simplest terms, it’s losing badly to Kmart. 🤷🏼‍♂️ For years, Target’s Wesfarmers sibling has captured the hearts and minds of customers who love Kmart’s cheap but stylish products and 24 hour convenience. Our first step in fixing a broken brand live is to get our minds around just three diagnostic questions that represent the brand and its relative health. For efficiency, I’ve included my personal opinion responses, but feel free to replace with you own if you're familiar with Target. What’s one word that springs to mind about this brand? Daggy! What does it believe, or stand for? Cheap prices, but better quality than Kmart. How could it be better? It’s sorely lacking personality, quirky fun and a sense of adventure. When I was growing up, my mother called it Tar-jhay. It was classic Aussie culture: fun, a little bit classy, but not too serious. Step 3: Customer feelings Again, we’re focused on just three questions. Think about your own instant responses - I’ve added mine. Describe the typical customer? A busy mother. How do they want to feel? Happy. Life is stressful, budgets are tight and kids always need stuff! What would surprise and delight them? More name brands at Target prices. They want to feel proud of the clothes and homewares they buy for themselves and the family. Look good, responsibly. Step 4. Imagine long-term impact The hottest word in marketing today is purpose. But a brand’s purpose is only useful if it creates long-term, sustainable impact in the community. So step four is all about thinking ahead and imagining a future world where customers are experiencing the effects of your refreshed, fixed brand. Back to our three questions: What do customers value about this brand? They want to be proud. The secret shame is gone! How do brand and customer beliefs overlap? Customers and the brand want the satisfaction of knowing they are doing good things in the world. Yes, budgets matter and quality cotton clothes. But so does the idea of not exploiting cheap labour overseas. What if Target also took a stand on ethical supply chains and lasting community benefit? What lasting impact can you imagine? Customer satisfaction and positive word-of-mouth is on the rise. Target has a greater share of voice than Kmart because of its positive message, fresh personality and messaging that reinforces a cheeky tar-jhay vibe. Step 5. Write a brand story brief Fresh with all this creative thinking, it’s now time to write a brief for a creative storytelling agency to bring your vision for a restored Target to life. This brand story brings together your new insights and the first sketch of a creative story that could engage hearts and minds - a type of storytelling I describe in Beliefonomics as the Belief Moment. We want people to believe in this new brand proposition, not just see our creative work as a cute twist on an old idea. In this slide from my presentation, you see we’ve abstracted Steps 2-5 above into short answers: I’d picture the Brand as the “best”. The one Customer emotion is “satisfaction,” and the value created from lasting Impact is the “confidence” to shop regularly at Target again. All that remains is a creative story that brings it all together. What would I do? Well, here’s a thought. One of Target’s biggest, most under-utilised assets is its iconic logo. 👈🏼 This internationally-recognised logo can be reimagined to tell a bigger story: customers are in the centre circle, with different stakeholders radiating out in concentric circles: jobs, suppliers, families, communities and people employed in ethical supply chains. In one creative execution, a three minute highly-emotional mini-documentary takes the viewers from an in-store moment where a customer selects a garment and looks up, smiling to realise it’s a great decision. We see the ethical production of raw materials, manufacturers and suppliers. We see happy families, connected communities and people experiencing an authentic reality that’s not ignorant of fast fashion. A strong narrative voice and inspirational music tell the story, and a compelling new tagline brings it home. I won’t tell you that tagline, of course, because I’ve already given Target enough free creative inspiration, but you get the idea! Did we fix the broken brand? Well, what do you think? I’ll be the first to say this approach is best viewed as a quick, high-level pass to get people engaged, thinking and excited about possibilities. Brand research, analysis and creative work is non-trivial and time-consuming. But at the same time, we also need to make it accessible and fun. Brand stories are not fixed quickly when left alone with a few creatives at an external agency. Just like customers themselves, it’s time we democratised brand strategy and involved more people across departments and stakeholder groups in the creative process. I reckon we could all use a bit more tar-jhay-inspired personality to deal with the inevitable surprises that lurk just around the corner. Keep believing, P.S. Ready to choose your own adventure? Let's talk. MARK JONES is a brand strategist, author and keynote speaker. His purpose is to inspire more people to use the power of storytelling to change their world. Find out more at markhjones.net and subscribe to receive his weekly blog direct to your inbox.