Mike House

Leading survival instructor, experienced agent of organisational change

Mike House is one of Australia's leading survival instructors, an entertaining, informative and entertaining keynote speaker and a highly experienced facilitator.

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Mike House worked for 20 years as one of Australia’s leading survival instructors. He is a highly experienced speaker and facilitator.

As a survival instructor Mike worked with groups as diverse as youth at risk, multinational corporations and television documentary crews on what has been described as the “world’s most arduous survival exercise outside the military” (National Geographic America 1999).

More about Mike House:

Mike has survived several life – threatening survival situations on the ocean, in tropical jungles, in raging white-water and extended sea kayak journeys.

As a birthday present to himself, Mike undertook a 12-day solo survival walk in one of Australia’s most hostile environments, taking 2 litres of water, a pocket-sized survival kit and the clothes on his back. Mike put his survival skills to the test sourcing all his food and water off the land – and loved the experience!

By observing and leading people in complex situations of extreme deprivation and duress, Mike has developed keen insight for how humans either panic and suffer or adapt and thrive. He sees the same behaviors in ordinary workplaces and shows people how to view their work, daily tasks, relationships and opportunities through new eyes.

Mike is passionate about building resilience in teams and individuals.

Mike has worked with businesses of all sizes and sectors across Australia and parts of Asia. Clients include companies from Educational Institutions, Oil and Gas, Resources, Human Services, SME, Government, Not for Profit, and start- ups.

Topics

  • Dealing with Stress
  • Personal and Team Resilience
  • Performing Under Pressure

Thrive and Adapt is a great accompaniment to Mike’s keynotes and workshops. It’s filled with tactics, habits and mindsets for success under pressure.

Hot off the press in early 2021, (Un)shakeable takes a deep dive into what it takes to build and lead a team who can create a strong sense of certainty in a highly uncertain world. COVID showed just how vulnerable human plans can be. In the heart of early lockdowns in Australia, Mike interviewed local and international leaders and experts about their responses and leadership in trying times.

Brilliant’…’fantastic’ were words used by a couple of people. Slightly more detailed but slightly less articulate was the comment “he spoke for a whole day and didn’t use corporate wank word”! I’ve overheard several discussions today across the team reflecting on the day. Your no-nonsense style really connected with our group. The tools you presented are very useful and I’m confident most people will use them. We really enjoyed it – thanks and I look forward to working with you again. Woodside
Mike’s entertaining and thought-provoking sessions provided us with tools to build stronger and more productive working relationships. Valued Independent People
Mike has a skillful, relaxed way of assisting individuals and groups to find ways through difficult and complex situations, by keeping the focus on their mission and their strengths. Youniverse
Thank you so much – what a journey! The team left so invigorated and, as I had hoped, I have taken an army of enthusiasm back with me. Uniting Care West
I have participated in numerous Desert Survival training exercises with Mike House including "The Long Walk" – a 200km exercise over 10 days in the Pilbara. I can only describe my confidence and admiration as unalloyed. He has lead me on abseiling and caving trips with the kind of calm quiet authority Bear Grylls can only dream of. Moore Industries Pacific
I’m very careful who I put in front of my clients. There are moments when it’s crystal clear to me that Mike’s contribution is what they need. His fun, deeply intelligent, profoundly insightful work leaves people feeling good and having grown. My clients still refer to what they learned from a single session with Mike a year or two ago. The Growth Group
The whole team were totally engaged – especially with the emphasis on emotional intelligence around change. The activities were designed to suit and executed perfectly. My team are now refreshed, energised and feeling positive. Thanks again. Challenger Institute of Technology