Sally Schmall

Head of Executive Leadership Development

+64 (0) 211 984 625

Sally partners directly with CEOs and executive teams to shape deliberate strategies for building leadership capability with intent and purpose. She brings deep human capital expertise from her career with Deloitte in the United States, where she worked extensively on executive team development, succession management, and leadership frameworks that cascade through entire organisations.

In New Zealand, Sally led Deloitte’s Greenhouse programme, creating bespoke experiences for leadership teams to align on strategy and execution. At Five, she blends these proven approaches with our traction labs, leadership maturity frameworks, and facilitated team sessions – creating visibility, shared accountability, and sustained high performance.

Sally has guided organisations such as TSB and Getinge through periods of significant change, working closely with CEOs and their teams to shape the leadership needed for the next phase and embed ways of working that deliver results long after the initial transition. Her work ensures leadership teams are not only fit for today’s challenges but also ready to thrive in the future.

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You can talk to me about:

❇️ Performance

Performance Advisory & Coaching

💗 Culture EX

Culture Discovery

💗 Culture EX

Culture Advisory

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Organisational Design

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Board and ELT Advisory

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Leadership Lab

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Executive Coaching

🟤 Strategy & Leadership

Executive Traction Labs

I've recently written about:

July 13, 2025

Strategy & Leadership

From delivery to direction-setting – the executive leadership mindset shift(s)

This blog explores the often-overlooked truth in executive leadership: success is driven more by mindset than job title or technical mastery. Drawing on insights from Five’s work with senior leaders across New Zealand and Australia, the piece outlines five critical mental shifts that new executive leaders must embrace — from developing comfort with ambiguity to cultivating self-awareness under pressure. Rather than focusing solely on skill development, it highlights how mindset directly shapes leadership behaviour, decision-making, and impact at the executive level. A must-read for high potentials, new executives, and organisations building leadership capability at scale.

March 30, 2025

Strategy & Leadership

Leading through the grey

Research and client insights reinforce that leading others during uncertainty and change requires an abundance of personal resilience. Not a little - but a lot of resilience by building awareness and skills to create balance and harmony across our emotional, physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing.

March 24, 2025

Strategy & Leadership

Beyond the To-Do List: The Critical Distinction Between Leadership Accountability and Responsibility

There is an often-blurred line between responsibility and accountability in leadership. Drawing on real-world experience, Sally Schmall unpacks why understanding this distinction is critical for cultivating ownership, strategic alignment, trust and high performance within teams. Here, Sally highlights the role of accountability in driving outcomes—emphasising that while responsibility can be delegated, accountability cannot. Leaders will find practical strategies to embed accountability in their organisations and lead with integrity, clarity and impact.

February 23, 2025

Strategy & Leadership

Leading Through Uncertainty: The Essence of Resilient Leadership

Resilient leadership is about navigating uncertainty with confidence, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose. True resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges but responding to them with agility, emotional intelligence, and strong communication. Leaders who embrace change, foster a supportive culture, and maintain a growth mindset can guide their teams through adversity and emerge stronger.

March 6, 2024

Strategy & Leadership

Gaining traction at the executive table

Stepping into a new executive or senior leadership role is both exhilarating and daunting. Whether you’re moving to a different organisation or taking on your first senior-level position, the initial six months are critical. Challenges include managing energy, aligning stakeholder expectations, overcoming imposter syndrome, and crafting an effective transition plan. Sally Schmall discusses how by addressing these challenges, new executives can set themselves up for success and positively impact their teams and organisations.