In this episode of Business & Beyond, Bunnings Managing Director Mike Schneider shares what it really takes to lead at scale — and why the best leaders leave ego at the door.​

From a modest upbringing in Sydney to leading one of Australia’s most trusted brands,Mike reflects on the experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy — including moments of failure, tough decisions, and the pressure of leading through uncertainty.​

Topics covered:​

• Why great leaders focus on the work, not the title ​
• How to build high-performing teams grounded in trust and accountability ​
• Lessons from Bunnings’ most challenging periods — and what they revealed ​
• Why culture is a long-term advantage (and easy to get wrong) ​
• Practical advice for the next generation of leaders​

BCG maintains a professional relationship with the company represented by this episode’s guest.

Chapter markers:

00:00:00 Resilience, Setbacks and Fresh Starts​

00:01:19 Upbringing, Family and Early Adversity​

00:06:43 Leadership Philosophy and Tough Conversations​

00:10:39 Humble Starts in Retail and Finding Direction​

00:18:47 From Retail to Banking and Finding the Calling​​

00:28:50 Joining Bunnings and Cultural Alignment​

00:32:24 Becoming CEO During Major Change​

00:37:04 Bunnings UK Lessons and Personal Resilience​

00:41:52 How Bunnings Wins on People​​

00:44:13 Growth Through Categories and Curiosity​

00:46:30 Digital Strategy Before COVID​

00:50:24 Culture, Innovation and Brand Trust​

00:58:10 New Competition and Consumer Reality​

01:09:33 Leadership Advice for the Next Generation