Displaying items by tag: stephen lawrence

An article by Greg Baum, chief sports columnist and associate editor

On the release of Make Your Mark (Wilkinson Press).

(https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/leading-from-the-back-20190531-p51t98.html)

"Leading from the Back"

As soon as the Hawthorn players boarded their bus for a pre-season camp at Phillip Island in 1994, the driver began to screen an X-rated movie. Sitting in the very back seat, ruckman Steve Lawrence squirmed. "Even when averting my eyes, the sound effects left little to the imagination," says Lawrence. Their destination was two hours away.

Lawrence was 24, well established, a premiership player, but circumspect still in that group of big names and vast personalities. "But I knew I had to do something," he says. The march down the bus, accompanied by a chorus of "whhhhoooo", took forever. "My knees felt weak and my mouth dry from nervousness (as) I wondered what to do," he says.

Steve and the Altum Leadership Group team are eager to hear from you. Please fill in the enquiry form below if you need more information about our services, or if you wish to make a booking or appointment with us. We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Steve has much to share about leadership, faith, and mission, and how individuals and communities can be transformed from good to great—remaining true to their identity, purpose, and values.

In Five Smooth Stones (2010) and Make Your Mark (2019), he shares practical wisdom drawn from years of experience in leadership and formation. More recently, The Tiny Book of Giant Men adds a fresh and accessible reflection on the qualities that shape authentic manhood and leadership.

He is also a contributing author to Raising Fathers: Fathering from the Frontline – 12 Men’s Stories (2020), offering personal insight into the role of fatherhood.

Working closely with leadership teams and individuals who lead in Catholic institutions, Steve's group mentoring and one-to-one coaching aims to provide personalised support and guidance which develops leadership capacity and deepens personal integration. 

Steve Lawrence is a highly regarded speaker and storyteller, dedicated to inspiring and equipping good leaders to become great.

A former professional AFL player with Hawthorn, Steve played twelve seasons at the elite level and was named Player of the Finals Series in the 1991 Premiership team. He later served as Director of Evangelisation and Catechesis for World Youth Day Sydney 2008, contributing to one of the largest international events ever held in Australia.

Steve’s leadership journey spans three continents and diverse contexts—from running an international School of Mission in Rome with the Emmanuel Community, to leading transformation in youth ministry and Catholic education across secondary and tertiary settings, and founding his own leadership consultancy, Altum Leadership Group.

He is the author of Five Smooth Stones (2010), Make Your Mark: Five Hidden Keys to Great Leadership (2019), and The Tiny Book of Giant Men, each offering practical insight into leadership, character, and influence. He is also a contributing author to Raising Fathers: Fathering from the Frontline – 12 Men’s Stories (2020).

Steve holds degrees in Humanities and Education, and a Master’s in Theology from the John Paul II Institute.

Married to Annie, Steve is the father of six children, and together they have led programs supporting couples and families for many years.

Interview of Steve Lawrence by David Kobler of Your Choicez