Meet Paul Stansfield - Active Directions

Strategic Thinking for Family Business Growth 

Family businesses thrive on clarity and that’s exactly what Paul Stansfield delivers. With over 20 years of experience, Paul works alongside business owners to bring structure to complexity and direction to decision-making. His approach is simple but powerful: strategy first, then process, then structure. It’s a sequence that helps businesses avoid costly missteps and build from a solid foundation. 

Paul has worked across a wide range of industries such as manufacturing, professional services, retail, and agriculture, giving him the versatility to adapt to each business’s unique rhythm. Whether it’s a growth challenge, a succession conversation, or an investor-led transition, Paul brings a calm, objective perspective that helps owners see the path forward. 

He’s not about buzzwords or big reveals. Paul’s strength lies in asking the right questions, listening well, and helping teams turn instinct into action. His work is practical, measurable, and always focused on building capability, not dependency. 

If your business is at a crossroads or simply ready for a clearer way forward, Paul’s strategic guidance can help you move with confidence. 

Want to connect? 

Follow Paul on LinkedIn or reach out via email at paul@activedirections.com.au to start a conversation about your business needs.

Q&A with Paul

What problems do you consistently solve for your clients?  

• Objective thinking – bringing a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ from the outside, often brings new perspectives to a client 
• Turning their innate intent and desire into actionable steps 
• Quantifying their instinct to gauge the magnitude of a problem or opportunity 
• Turning the chaos into order 

What are you happiest doing when you’re not working?  

• Writing, I have written and self-published a novel (a really, really interesting and futuristic idea, really, really poorly executed😂).
• Playing golf, bitten by the bug at a very early age, what can I say 
• Cooking 
• Movie after movie after movie then go back to the start and movie again 

What would your personal motto be?  

Never stop learning and changing. 

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

from my father “I know what I know, talking about it won’t make me smarter, two ears one mouth son – do the math.”