From Fresh Produce to Fresh Thinking: How Leon Mundey Helps Leaders Get Unstuck
“I just feel like I’m constantly firefighting.”
Sound familiar? That was the sentiment shared by one of Leon Mundey’s CEO clients and it’s a feeling many business leaders will recognise. Time-poor, stuck in the day-to-day, and wondering how to actually make progress.
Leon, who spent 20+ years in the food and fresh produce sector in commercial and leadership roles, now runs his own business helping CEOs and leadership teams break free from the firefighting cycle and start thinking strategically again.
In a recent episode of TheMorePeople Podcast, Leon joined our very own Andrew Fitzmaurice to talk about:
What causes businesses to stagnate
Why leadership teams are often the bottleneck
How strategy, structure and mindset drive growth
And why “being busy” isn’t the same as being productive
Here’s what we learned…
From the Produce Aisle to the Boardroom
Leon’s background in food and fresh produce means he knows just how tough and competitive the sector is, especially when you’re dealing with commoditised products. “If you’re not differentiated, you’re in a race to the bottom,” he says.
Having helped scale businesses from within, Leon now supports other organisations as an external coach and mentor, helping founders and CEOs step back, get perspective, and reimagine the future of their business.
Getting Out of Firefighting Mode
Leon describes a common frustration among the leaders he works with: “I’m constantly busy but I’m not sure I’m actually moving the needle.”
It’s no surprise. As businesses grow, complexity increases, and the founder or leadership team often becomes the bottleneck. Everything flows through them -decisions, queries, approvals - and the business hits what Leon calls “the valley of death”: stuck between comfort and fear of change.
To counter this, Leon focuses on three key areas:
Capable Leadership
Not just a strong CEO, but a fully capable leadership team that can lead (not just manage), make decisions, delegate, and develop others.
Scalable Infrastructure
Systems, processes, and cashflow strategies that allow the business to move from 1M to 10M, or 10M to 50M, without breaking.
Effective Marketing
Not just to win customers, but to attract talent, investors, board members, and build a strong employer brand.
Coaching That Goes Beyond Theory
Unlike some coaches who have never sat in a boardroom or managed P&L, Leon brings credibility and empathy: “I’ve been in a business when someone comes in and tells you what to do, I get the resistance.”
But what makes the biggest difference, he says, is not what you know, it’s what you do. That’s why Leon’s coaching is practical and action oriented. His clients work in 90-day cycles, focusing on a handful of priorities that move the business toward longer-term goals.
He also facilitates peer learning groups, what he calls “the board you can’t afford”, where 8–10 CEOs share challenges and learn from each other in a trusted environment.
Want to Start Making Progress?
If all this resonates and you’re wondering where to start, Leon’s advice is clear:
Set a long-term vision (5–10 years)
Break it down into annual priorities
Identify 3–4 strategic actions every quarter
Build the habit of spending 30 minutes a day working on the business, not just in it
Surround yourself with learning from books, podcasts, mentors or peers
And remember, it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.
Taste of What’s Possible
MorePeople and Leon are also teaming up for a Taste of Coaching day, a chance to experience these strategies in action, with real tools, practical insights, and the chance to ask questions. Keep an eye on our LinkedIn for updates or drop us a message if you’d like to know more.
Final Thought
If you’re feeling stuck, stretched or just plain exhausted trying to do it all, you’re not alone. But there are better ways and Leon’s approach offers a roadmap to regain control, build capability, and set your business up for sustainable growth.
Want to talk? Reach out to Leon via LinkedIn or contact the MorePeople team for an intro.
