EXAS Group

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Leadership.

We had the privilege of running our Operational Leadership workshop with the OPF crews at Cloudbreak, fortescue.

Technical skill and decision-making under pressure are vital — but leadership that ignores the human factor can leave people burnt out and disengaged.

That’s why emotional intelligence (EQ) is an important foundation. EQ connects directly with mental health and resilience — helping leaders build:

* Empathy – to understand and support their people.
* Trust – to create safe, high-performing teams.
* Self-awareness – to recognise and manage their own stress.
* Relationship skills – to resolve conflict and empower others under pressure.

When leaders combine hard skills with EQ, they don’t just run operations — they build resilient, connected teams that thrive under pressure.

Great to close this round of workshops, and a big thank you to for her incredible support in making this round a success.

Operational Leadership: Re-forging Mental Awareness and Resilience

This week, EXAS Group had the privilege of delivering our Operational Leadership workshop to the Ore Processing Facility (OPF) crews at Cloudbreak FMG.

The workshop covers:

* Leadership Essentials, highlighting the importance of influence and behaviour recognition

* Cognitive Awareness, providing a capability-based approach to mental health support

* Stress Optimisation, exploring the foundations of resilience

* Operational Toolkit, providing practical strategies to regain control and focus

With the constant pressures of meeting KPIs, deadlines, and other operational demands, it is easy to lose sight of the human factor. That is why understanding and prioritising these skills is just as important as the hard skills needed to get the job done.

This program does exactly that — linking leadership and management capability to the prioritisation of psychological safety alongside physical safety. This holistic approach supports the long-term wellbeing, effectiveness, and sustainability of the people who give so much to keep our vital industry running and thriving.

We look forward to continuing to deliver these workshops and supporting even more teams in the future.

Building Capability and Strengthening Teams at Cloudbreak

It was a privilege for us to be invited out to Fortescue’s Cloudbreak (CB) last week ahead of our upcoming educational workshops for the Ore Processing Facility (OPF) crews.

These workshops will focus on four key themes: Leadership, Motivation, Resilience, and Mental Health—delivered through a practical lens shaped by real-world operational demands. The first session will take place in the Mangkurtu Room on Wednesday, 25 June.

We’re excited to share tools and strategies that strengthen both mindset and performance—drawing not only from our time in the military but also from diverse, real-world experience across education, emergency response, and community support.

Andrew’s experiences like leading outdoor adventure teams in the Blue Mountains, working in the Pilbara as an ESO, and supporting both high school students and veterans have shaped our appreciation for self-awareness and collaborative, team-oriented approaches—values we aim to embed in each workshop.

A huge thank you to Annie Thomas, Jed Warrener and Jason Baldacchino for the warm welcome and the opportunity to explore the site.

Some memorable highlights included:

* A walk-up on the stacker and OPF tour
* TLO (Train Load Out) showcase—watching a train being loaded
* Drill & Blast stop-in and panoramic views from The Lookout
* Visits with the Structural Integrity, ESO, and Mobile Maintenance teams
* A guided tour through Cloudbreak Village

We’re looking forward to kicking off the first workshop and supporting the ongoing growth of the teams!




Exas Group have just returned from an incredible trip to Papua New Guinea with Living Child Inc. We are deeply grateful to the wonderful people of PNG for their warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage.

Working with Living Child Inc. has been an honor, and we are immensely proud of the impactful work they are doing to improve maternal and child health in remote communities. The dedication and passion of the Living Child team inspire us every day. During our trip, the team conducted essential risk assessment work to ensure the safety and well-being of the volunteers serving the communities.

Thank you, PNG, for your kindness and Living Child for allowing us to be a part of your journey.

Justin Hoffman and Ryan Wilson recently conducted virtual HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) for a client in Mozambique. We continue to monitor the changing political and security situation and provide advice as needed. Reach out for a confidential discussion on how our team can support you to operate effectively in high-risk environments. Our team are available globally.
www.exasgroup.com.au
[email protected]

Quality over quantity is an Exas Group core value. We have raised the industry bar with our established standards of safety, effectiveness, and ethical conduct. Our adherence to these standards ensures that our clients receive the highest quality of service and expertise.

Our Managing Director, Ryan, recently visited Schlam Payload for R U OK Day to speak on the importance of mental wellbeing. Ryan bravely shared his personal journey with mental health, discussing the physiological response to stress and exploring whether all stress is harmful through the Yerkes-Dodson law. He also shared valuable tools he uses to manage stress and anxiety, such as box breathing, meditation, and mindfulness, and emphasized the importance of social connection—a key reason Exas Group was created to support veterans with meaningful employment post-military life.

Huge thanks to Schlam Payload for hosting us!

For keynote talks from Ryan or our expert consultants, reach out at [email protected]

Professionalism is at the core of our operations. From our detailed risk assessments and crisis action plans to our immersive training experiences, we maintain a level of professionalism that reflects our military background. We understand the importance of trust and reliability, and we strive to uphold these qualities in every interaction

Our commitment to excellence is unwavering. In the SASR, the margin for error is non-existent, and we bring this same mentality to our work. Every project is approached with a dedication to achieving the highest possible result, ensuring our clients receive unparalleled service and outcomes.