The Uncommon Collective Manifesto
Our Core Belief
Success in business and in life cannot be built on transactions alone. It must be built on trust, genuine connection, and the courage to be vulnerable enough to ask for help when we need it most.
Too many capable people are suffering in isolation, believing they must carry the weight of their responsibilities alone, when what they need is a community of peers who understand their journey and are committed to their complete success.
Success in business and in life cannot be built on transactions alone.
Our Uncommon
Team
Team
Matt Murray
Founder & Problem SolverI solve people, business and client relationship problems by designing practical processes that drive growth and profit. I create customer experience methodologies that build long-term relationships and implement standards of excellence by reverse engineering where a company is to where it wants to be. I believe every business has two sides: people and profit. When employees are happy, motivated and inspired, they deliver the same to clients. Sustainable profit follows strong people. I started working at 12 delivering newspapers, organising lawn mowing jobs at 14, and cleaning my school after hours because it paid three times the student rate. At 17, I went to Europe and arrived in London with six pounds. Eighteen months later, I left with £60,000. In 1996, I moved to Australia and founded a telecommunications company. Over 24 years, with the help of my team, we grew it from two people into the most awarded Avaya dealership in Australia, with offices in every state. I sold the business in 2018. Today, I run what I call a business hobby, an un-networking business where who you are matters more than what you do. I believe there is no work-life balance, only life. Money is not the goal, it is the outcome of doing things well.
Leanne Grima
Operations ManagerI’m Leanne, and I work closely with venues to create unforgettable experiences for our guests. Behind the scenes, I’m also the one keeping Matthew Murray in line — translating his big ideas into clear, practical action so our team can bring them to life. I’m a mum to two wonderfully funny (and slightly chaotic) boys. I love to bake, and you’ll often find me playing bingo with my 80-year-old besties. When I’m not sourcing new private dining spaces, I’m volunteering at school, helping raise much-needed funds for our community. My background in management shapes how I approach everything — calm under pressure, solution-focused, and always ready to step in when things don’t go to plan. As Matt’s partner of many years, it’s been incredibly special to attend events and meet the members who have helped shape his journey. Watching his vision come to life — and seeing others believe in it too — is something I’m genuinely proud of. And working alongside Yani and Wilma is a dream. They have this rare ability to take even my rough ideas and transform them into stunning videos, beautifully structured spreadsheets, and a CRM that keeps everything running seamlessly.
Wilma Kristine
Executive Assistant
I’m Wilma, and I work behind the scenes at Uncommon, helping turn ideas into action, supporting the team by coordinating events, managing communications, and making sure everything is organised and delivered as planned. I’m a mum to a 7-year-old, and most of my time outside work revolves around him. When I do get time to myself, I enjoy watching movies and docuseries, playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and going on hikes and walks. I’m someone who focuses on getting things done properly, organised and reliable. I take pride in handling the details that keep everything running smoothly, from invitations and registrations to the backend systems we use every day. I enjoy being part of a team where ideas move quickly and actually get executed. Leanne and Brendon bring structure and direction, Matt brings vision and momentum, and Yani is always steady and dependable. It makes it easy to get on with the work and deliver. What’s different about Uncommon is the intention behind everything. It’s not just about putting events together; it’s about doing things properly, with the right people and the right setup. Being part of making that happen behind the scenes is something I value.
Yani Legasto
Community Manager
A vibrant soul with a deep connection to the earth’s natural rhythms, I find solace and rejuvenation in nature and going back to basics. I love the beach, making my own sourdough, yogurt, kefir, you name it and I'll probably find a way to DIY it. As a passionate advocate for health and wellness, I explore holistic and unconventional treatments—from the invigorating chill of cold plunges and the purifying heat of saunas to the resonating frequencies of sound healing and the cleansing power of detox. Guided by a firm belief in the power of faith and a commitment to personal growth. With over two years of dedicated service, I have become an integral part of the team, driven by a love for interacting with new and exciting people. I specialize in communication and relationship building, often anticipating challenges and resolving them before they arise. I find immense fulfillment in guiding members through their journey—whether it’s securing seats at events, managing experience bookings, or easing the transition for those joining the community. I consider myself profoundly blessed to work in an environment defined by trust and safety, allowing me to prioritize my deepest values. I attribute much of my professional growth to the mentorship and support of my colleagues, valuing the wisdom, trust, and guidance that define the team culture.
Our Principles
Trust Takes Time, But It’s Worth Everything
We reject the speed-dating approach to business and relationships. Approaches to networking are transactional, shallow, and focused on immediate gain. We choose to be uncommon by taking the longer path—building real relationships, having deeper conversations, and creating genuine value for each other. Real trust develops over years, not minutes. We invest in long-term relationships because we know that when trust exists, everything else becomes possible—better decisions, stronger partnerships, and the confidence to take bigger risks knowing others have your back.
You Are More Than What You Do
Your job title, your revenue, and your assets don’t define you. We look past the business cards and LinkedIn profiles to discover who you really are – your values, your struggles, your dreams. We steer away from the obvious conversation starters – work, sport, or career – because these topics let us hide behind other people’s achievements instead of sharing our authentic selves.
Abundance Multiplies When Shared
We attract givers, not takers. Our members look after each other as much as they look after themselves, creating a protective environment where vulnerability is safe and generosity is the norm. When surrounded by abundant people, you don’t need to be defensive – you can focus on contributing and growing.
Collaboration Beats Competition
Australia ranks lowest among developed countries for collaboration, and we’re determined to change that. We believe that when the right people work together with trust and shared purpose, they can achieve far more than they ever could alone. We’re building the foundation for partnerships, investments, and ventures that benefit everyone involved.
Being Uncommon Means Changing What’s Broken
Common approaches to networking are transactional, shallow, and focused on immediate gain. We choose to be uncommon by taking the longer path—building authentic relationships, having deeper conversations, and creating genuine value for each other. We’re willing to be different because different is what works.
Uncommon Diversity Matters
Traditional networking organisations attract like-for-like. We seek to attract the unlike. Rather than members from the same backgrounds, schools and lives, we embrace the different to enhance all Uncommoners. And their relationships with each other.
Our Vision
We envision a Collective where the most capable business leaders are connected, supported, and working together to solve meaningful problems. A place where trust is the foundation of every relationship, where asking for help is seen as strength, and where collaboration creates opportunities that benefit entire communities.
We see our members as part of something larger – interconnected both personally and professionally, excited to see each other succeed, and committed to leaving a better world for the next generation. Success isn’t just about individual achievement; it’s about lifting others as you rise. We want wildly different engagement with people who are successful because of adversity.
How This Guides Us
Every decision we make is filtered through one question: Does this build or break trust?
We turn away people who aren’t ready to give first and receive second. We invest time in relationships before we discuss business opportunities. We create experiences that allow authentic connection rather than surface-level networking.
We are patient because we know that the right relationships, built the right way, will create opportunities we cannot yet imagine. We are selective because we know that one person who doesn’t share our values can damage the trust we’ve spent years building.
This manifesto is our promise to each member: we will protect the environment we’ve created together, we will continue to choose depth over breadth, and we will never compromise on the principles that make us uncommon.
We want to build wildly different relationships with a diverse group of individuals with varying backgrounds and perspectives. Working with people in ways that suit them, not conforming to a style that lessens their brilliance but enhances us all.
The world doesn’t need another networking group. It requires a community where trust comes first, relationships matter more than transactions, humour, common sense and success is measured by how well we take care of each other.