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Leadership articles
Read our monthly articles which discuss key leadership topics.
Responsible leadership in times of constant change: The role of psychological safety
The flexibility that remote work affords is invaluable, but the blending sometimes feels like work is constant and omnipresent. Employees are likely to feel more vulnerable in this always-on culture, one of constant change and adaptation.
For the good of all or self-serving? Five charts on how Australians view the public integrity of federal government, 2018-2021
The issue of public integrity has become increasingly prominent in recent years. In this report, we analyse public perceptions and expectations of federal government integrity from October 2018 to December 2021, focusing on public perceptions of federal government leadership for the public good, ethics and morality, transparency, and accountability.
Is agile and hands-on leadership effective for the greater good?
Despite some of the negative publicity surrounding charities in Australia and overseas, Australians overwhelmingly view charities as leading for the greater good compared to other institutions. But why is this the case? Apart from their premise of helping others, how do charities sustain these perceptions more broadly?
Leading for the greater good in the private sector requires bold statements on climate change
Australia has come under international criticism for the carbon emission reduction targets set out in the Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan, with most saying that the net zero by 2050 target is neither fast nor aggressive enough. In recent months, however, with NewsCorp changing its stance on climate change reporting, and public discourse around climate change accelerating, the private sector faces significant pressures to take climate action.
Women’s Leadership in Medicine During the Pandemic
Despite female medical graduates now consistently exceeding parity, there are persisting inequalities in women’s participation in some medical specialities and in leadership roles overall.
Explainer: the common good and why it matters more than ever
Although the term ‘civilisation’ has less currency today than it once did (Armstrong, 2009), most people see themselves as living in a civilisation (Saul, 2009). As observed by the political philosopher John Ralston Saul, this understanding tends to be centred on a sense of shared destiny: on shared interests, collective purpose, and a common future. Seemingly abstract, the idea of shared destiny is actually quite familiar. Colloquially, we know this as the common good or its synonyms: the public or greater good.
Reflections on the common good and the future of leadership for the common good
Leadership for the common good requires an individual and collective ability and willingness to overcome our Manichaean tendencies. It calls on us to foster the conditions that make it possible to imagine how apparent contradictions can be reconciled. And it calls on us to cultivate the conditions in which we can develop a sense of shared reality, collective purpose, and shared destiny.
The paradox of virtue signalling
While a brand can align itself with and support social causes, ultimately, its existence relies on generating revenue and profit. As such, positioning a brand as virtuous is a challenging and, at times, paradoxical task for marketing practitioners.
What We Can Learn About Leadership from Cuomo’s Resignation
The public expects more ethical and responsible leadership, now more than ever. Scandals such as this capture the public’s attention and erode trust in leaders, as evidenced by global public opinion polls.
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SubscribeScholarly papers and citations
Browse our most recent scholarly articles and citations.
Falling Apart and Coming Together: How Public Perceptions of Leadership Change in Response to Natural Disasters vs. Health Crises
Wheeler, M.A.; Bednall, T.; Demsar, V.; Wilson, S.G. Falling Apart and Coming Together: How Public Perceptions of Leadership Change in Response to Natural Disasters vs. Health Crises. Sustainability 2022, 14, 837. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020837
The Grand Challenge None of Us Chose: Succeeding (and Failing) Against the Global Pandemic
Adler (USA), N.J., Sackmann (Switzerland), S.A., Arieli (Israel), S., Akter (Bangladesh), M.(., Barmeyer (Germany), C., Barzantny (France), C., Caprar (Australia and New Zealand), D.V., Lee (Taiwan), Y.-t., Liu (China), L.A., Magnani (Italy), G., Marcus (Turkey), J., Miska (Austria), C., Moore (United Kingdom), F., Park (South Korea), S.H., Reiche (Spain), B.S., Søderberg (Denmark and Sweden), A.-M., Solomons (Rwanda), J. and Zhang (China), Z.-X. (2022), "The Grand Challenge None of Us Chose: Succeeding (and Failing) Against the Global Pandemic 1 ", Osland, J.S., Reiche, B.S., Szkudlarek, B. and Mendenhall, M.E. (Ed.) Advances in Global Leadership (Advances in Global Leadership, Vol. 14), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 3-85.
APO: Australian Leadership Index
Analysis & Policy Observatory
The Recovery Book: what Australian governments should do now
The Grattan Institute (28 June 2020)
Where do leaders come from? A leader-centred approach
Crobett, J. (2019). Where do leaders come from? A leader-centred approach. Developmental Leadership Program (DLP)
Recent trends in Australian local government reform
Graham Sansom. (2020). Recent trends in Australian local government reform. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, (23), ID 7546. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.vi23.7546
COVID-19 and Inequities in Australian Education – Insights on Federalism, Autonomy, and Access
Eacott, S., MacDonald, K., Keddie, A., Blackmore, J., & Wilkinson, J. (2020). COVID-19 and inequities in Australian education – insights on federalism, autonomy, and access. International Studies in Educational Administration, 48(3), 6-13.
3rd Advancing Community Cohesion Conference: The Way Forward
Governor of New South Wales (10 February 2020)
Media mentions
Explore media coverage of the leadership index.
Radio interview with Dr Melissa Wheeler
The Grapevine (23 May 2022)
5 charts show how trust in Australia’s leaders and institutions has collapsed
The Conversation (20 May 2022)
Is agile and hands-on leadership effective for the greater good?
ProBono Australia (14 April 2022)
How to Make Sense of the Paradoxes of the Common Good
Psychology Today (17 March 2022)
Despite Our Differences, Can We Find a Common Good?
Psychology Today (4 March 2022)
Women’s Leadership in Medicine During the Pandemic
Psychology Today (20 January 2022)
The Paradox of Virtue Signalling
Psychology Today (6 September 2021)
What We Can Learn About Leadership from Cuomo's Resignation
Psychology Today (14 August 2021)
Seen to be green? Research reveals how environmental performance shapes public perceptions of our leaders
The Conversation (7 July 2021)
The Swing Podcast, Episode 30
The Swing (20 April 2021)
Women Losing Trust in Political Leaders Shows New Swinburne Research
Swinburne News (16 April 2021)
Women Abandon Coalition in Droves
The Australian (15 April 2021)
Small business might be key to Australia’s recovery, but a collective effort is required
Smart Company (25 February 2021)
Leadership data shows plenty of work to do
7News (21 July 2019)
A New Measure of Leadership for the Greater Good in the Public, Private and Plural Sectors
Innovative Leadership Institute (17 February 2020)
Damning report card of the performance of Australian leaders across all sectors
news.com.au (25 July 2019)
SWINBURNE LAUNCHES AUSTRALIAN LEADERSHIP INDEX
Swinburne News (19 July 2019)
Charities top community perceptions of leadership for the public good
ProBono Australia (25 September 2019)
How the coronavirus pandemic is (finally) resulting in leadership for the greater good
The Conversation (24 April 2020)
Want good leadership? Look here
National Seniors Australia (29 April 2020)
Leadership index reveals public distrust in NFP sector
ProBono Australia (24 July 2019)
Netball number one for the ‘greater good’ survey
Netball Australia (13 September 2019)
Getting out of liquor and pokies will cost Woolworths, but deliver lasting benefits
The Conversation (4 July 2019)
3rd Advancing Community Cohesion Conference: The Way Forward
Governor of New South Wales (10 February 2020)
Pandemic widens gap between government and Australians’ view of education
The Conversation (12 November 2020)
Best on ground: why Australians think sporting bodies provide strongest leadership for public good
The Conversation (10 September 2019)
