Respected travel industry leader Pete Rawley is supporting Genuine Conversations as the leadership and development business doubles down on immersive, nature-based programs designed to strengthen trust, self-awareness and team connection across travel and beyond.
Leadership and development business Genuine Conversations has welcomed the involvement of respected travel industry leader Pete Rawley, who will contribute his experience in people leadership, culture and team development to the organisation’s immersive programs.
Founded by leadership and growth specialist Nick Gall alongside Brent Novak from Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), Genuine Conversations delivers facilitated leadership and individual development experiences that combine emotionally intelligent frameworks with nature-based learning.
Rawley brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across purpose-led travel businesses, including Intrepid Travel and G Adventures, and currently serves as Co-founder, heading up special projects at Evolution Travel Collective (ETC). His involvement comes as travel businesses keep looking for practical, human-centred ways to develop leaders who can coach, retain and energise teams through constant change.
Rawley said the Genuine Conversations approach strongly aligned with the way he has seen high-performing teams and leaders develop over time.
“I’ve worked with organisations that genuinely understand the value of investing in their people, and the most impactful growth often happens outside traditional environments,” Rawley said. “Genuine Conversations creates the space for teams to connect, reflect and grow in ways that are both meaningful and lasting.”
The Genuine Conversations programs are delivered through facilitated multi-day immersions held in natural environments, designed to strengthen trust, self-awareness and connection within teams.
Rawley said his involvement reflects his ongoing commitment to supporting personal and professional development within and beyond the travel industry.
“What really stands out to me about Genuine Conversations is the depth of empathy, trust and shared storytelling within the programs, and that’s the kind of work that creates genuine transformation for individuals and teams,” Rawley said.
He also pointed to the difference between training that ticks a box and development that changes behaviour.
“The strongest businesses I’ve seen don’t treat leadership and people development as a box-ticking exercise. They truly invest because they understand that caring for people and building strong leadership positively impacts their company’s long-term success,” he said.
What does this mean for travel leaders right now?
For agency owners, tour operators and suppliers, leadership development is increasingly being judged by what it improves on Monday morning: communication, accountability, coaching, service culture and retention. Genuine Conversations is positioning its immersions as an environment where teams can step out of routine, practise emotionally intelligent tools, and return with a stronger connection and shared language.
According to the business, placing the program in natural environments helps teams slow down, reset patterns, and engage in deeper reflection. Rawley’s own experience backs that idea, saying the most impactful growth often happens outside traditional settings, especially when people are given structured space to connect and reflect.
“Combining emotionally intelligent leadership development with shared, nature-based experiences allows people to show up more authentically,” Rawley added. “That level of connection and insight ultimately leads to stronger teams and better leaders.”
Alongside his contribution to Genuine Conversations, Rawley will continue to play an active role within ETC, working closely with clients and partners while selectively supporting initiatives aligned with leadership, culture and people development.
For more information, head to www.genuineconversations.team
