Mastering Leadership Through Culinary Excellence: Lessons from Peter Wright on Growth, Mindset, and High-Performance Hospitality

In the world of large-scale events, leadership, and high-pressure environments, few people embody adaptability and mastery like Peter Wright. On “What I Wish I Knew at 30,” Fran Harper sits down with Peter, Managing Director of the Global Hospitality Group, to explore what it truly takes to lead teams, deliver world-class experiences, and sustain growth through decades of fast-paced work.

Peter’s story is not only about culinary expertise. It is a powerful reflection on mindset, professional development, executive leadership, and navigating career pivots with clarity and intention. His journey offers invaluable lessons for high-achieving professionals who want to lead with purpose, build resilience, and grow sustainably.

The Early Years: Curiosity, Courage, and the Start of a Vision

Peter’s career began at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, working in one of Melbourne’s most respected fine-dining restaurants, the Clevedon Room. He reflects on this chapter with a sense of humility and ambition: “I was an expecting father. I was working at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. We had just finished the Cricket World Cup in 1992.”

This period marked the foundation of his leadership journey. Surrounded by mentors, high standards, and the intensity of hospitality service, he learned early lessons in discipline, teamwork, and self-awareness. These insights mirror modern leadership development coaching principles, showing how early environments shape confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Embracing Challenges and High-Pressure Growth

Peter transitioned from fine dining into large-scale catering, a move that pushed him far outside his comfort zone. “Jumping into catering was something I had never done before,” he recalls. Overnight, he had to rethink his leadership style, problem-solving skills, and ability to deliver consistent quality across massive operations.

This shift reflects a core mindset coaching truth: growth happens through challenge. Peter learned to communicate under pressure, manage diverse teams, and stay emotionally grounded during peak event times. These are the same skills leaders cultivate today when overcoming imposter syndrome, building emotional intelligence, and developing confidence in high-stakes environments.

Learning Fast and Leading Forward

Reflecting on his early leadership moments, Peter shares, “It was the biggest learning curve. The first test match came and went pretty quickly.”

His willingness to learn on the job, receive feedback, and refine his approach reveals a growth mindset that every successful leader must develop. Continuous learning is central not only to hospitality but to executive coaching, leadership transformation, and sustainable professional growth.

Achieving the Executive Chef Dream

Driven by ambition and deep passion, Peter pursued his long-time goal of becoming an executive chef. “I wanted to be the best chef. The chef’s ego is still hanging around,” he says with a laugh. His eventual role at the Arts Centre became one of the most defining and demanding chapters of his career.

This stage of his journey highlights the importance of values-based leadership. Excellence requires intention. Leadership requires humility. Success requires aligning purpose with performance. These are the same principles that guide coaching for executives, founders, and high achievers who want to lead with clarity and heart.

Pivots, Reinvention, and Purpose

One of Peter’s most transformative decisions was moving to Hong Kong to work on a major hospital culinary project. He describes it simply and powerfully: “I can plan it. I can build it. I can design it. I do not have an agenda to take over your business.”

This mindset of collaboration over ego, service over competition, and shared success over personal gain is the hallmark of conscious leadership. It shows how career pivots, when aligned with purpose, can unlock clarity, personal growth, and sustainable success.

Big Lessons for Leaders and High Achievers

Peter’s journey is a reminder that leadership is not defined by titles or accolades but by mindset, adaptability, self-awareness, and a willingness to grow through discomfort.

His story offers coaching-aligned insights for leaders who want to thrive:

• Embrace challenges as opportunities to evolve.

• Build emotional intelligence through curiosity and openness. 

• Redefine success based on your values, not external expectations. 

• Stay grounded in purpose, especially during high-pressure seasons. 

• Keep learning, keep listening, and keep showing up.

As Peter says, “Success is how you measure it, but small conversations change your life.”

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For more transformational stories and insights on leadership development, mindset mastery, and holistic wellbeing, tune in to “What I Wish I Knew at 30” with Fran Harper.

💡 This week, reflect on one lesson from Peter’s journey. Whether it is embracing a challenge, leading with curiosity, or redefining what success means for you, take one step toward becoming a more conscious and empowered leader.

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