Business and Communication Acumen
Andrew Leith is a pioneering business executive whose surprising journey of professional and personal growth has been propelled by the changing tides of his voyage. Growing up on a marina in Southern Ontario, Canada, Andrew learned to respect the unpredictability of life on the water and developed a deep appreciation for life’s ebb and flow. These early experiences profoundly influenced his leadership philosophy and inspired the nautical navigation principles that form the foundation of Octant Executive Advisory Group, his business and leadership development firm.
As a teenager, Andrew explored many passions—acting, music, philosophy, poetry, sports—which nurtured his undying curiosity and affinity towards creativity. He excelled at physical play, but also found joy in intellectual and artistic pursuits. His academic path led him to study communications at university and later public relations, where he graduated with Dean’s honours. Further to his studies, becoming a husband and father additionally shaped his nature to become more nurturing and open to recognizing the small coincidences the universe presents to us.
Andrew’s professional journey includes senior leadership roles for revenue organizations in the technology, software and advanced manufacturing industries where he honed his expertise in leadership and sales enablement. Working in roles that demanded innovation and adaptability, he developed strategies to empower high-performing executives and drive organizational growth. Consulting with world-leading venture capital firms, Andrew developed ground-up sales enablement strategies and methodologies for SaaS industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies. These experiences provided him with a profound understanding of how to navigate complex operational challenges while fostering collaboration and success.
A life-altering experience, undergoing emergency surgery that saved his life, became the catalyst for Andrew’s realization and understanding of his late-life ADHD diagnosis. This revelation transformed Andrew’s perspective, offering him greater focus and clarity about both his personal and professional life. Uncovering the mechanisms he had unknowingly, but instinctively, built to manage his ADHD brought a newfound sense of purpose and determination. It ignited a passion to advocate for neurodiversity in leadership, helping leaders to harness their individual strengths and navigate their journeys with confidence. This clarity has fueled his mission to ensure others can achieve success and learn from his “mechanisms”, making this new chapter of his life one of the most meaningful and impactful yet.
Public speaking has become an important avenue from which Andrew shares his insights on inclusivity, innovation, and leadership. Whether leading intimate workshops or speaking at conferences, Andrew’s authentic and engaging style encourages audiences to think differently and embrace their unique strengths. Programs such as Unlocking the Underlying Superpowers of Your Workforce, The Art of Sales: Unleashing Your Inner Sales Warrior, and Quantum Leaps: The Infinite Gap Between 99 and 100% provide leaders with practical and innovative strategies that encourage curiosity, accountability, and meaningful connections. He is committed to evolving the view on leadership. Whether by advocating for creativity in the boardroom or diversity in leadership, his programs illustrate the power of individualized motivational strategies and how they drive unparalleled organizational success.
Andrew’s story is one of growth and discovery, not unlike the tales of a sea captain whose experiences are forged by unpredictable waters and harrowing voyages. From the tributaries of his youth to the rising and falling tides of life, throughout his career Andrew has charted a course defined by resilience, curiosity, and purpose. He now helps others navigate their own journeys, offering guidance to find clarity and direction in their leadership. For Andrew, leadership is not about reaching a destination but about the journey itself, and he is dedicated to helping others sail toward their true potential with confidence and focus.