It was never a conscious decision for me to become an entrepreneur. It was my passion for coaching that led me to head up a consultancy and then launch a tech start up. I was simply driven to create these ‘a-ha’ moments for people…these moments of epiphany when a conversation unlocks something profound for someone. That feeling was addictive, and it still is.
In the early days, Serendis was just me, working one-on-one with leaders. But after a few years, I started collaborating with other coaches, and something clicked — I missed the teamwork. I started bringing people into the business as consultants, and by 2014, almost a decade in, it hit me that this wasn’t simply a collection of great people working together; it was a business that needed to be intentional.
Leadership consulting, I soon discovered, is a tricky beast — rewarding but not an easy business to scale. In a small market like Australia, making it sustainable requires constant adaptability and a genuine commitment to our people and our clients.
Looking back, there have been incredible highs and exhilarating moments — winning those hard-fought tenders, hearing how our programs have changed lives, and coming together as a team with our bold vision. Then there were the stomach-wrenching lows — like March 2020, when COVID hit, and I genuinely didn’t know how we’d keep going. That period was terrifying, but in hindsight, I’m proud of how we navigated it, and we emerged stronger.
A few years ago, I took another leap, launching MentorKey, our mentoring software platform. Having witnessed the transformative impact of Serendis-led mentoring programs, I wanted to amplify that impact to give organisations of all sizes the tools to foster meaningful workplace conversations and build more inclusive cultures at scale. Seeing MentorKey take off has been an incredible milestone, and I’m deeply proud of the team behind it.
One of my greatest joys is reflecting on our achievements with the team and celebrating our wins together. Serendis Leadership would not be what it is today without the extraordinary people I’ve had the honour to work alongside. Their dedication, insight, passion and care have shaped this business in ways I never could have imagined 20 years ago.
Working with our amazing clients every day is a unique privilege. Leaders who have trusted us with their people, shared their deepest challenges and aspirations, and invited us to help shape their organisational cultures.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without my husband’s unwavering support from the very beginning and the belief my family has had in me along the journey.
So here we are, 20 years in, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built. To our team, our clients, and everyone who has been part of this journey, thank you. Here’s to another 20 years!
– Maud Lindley
