Menzies Leadership Forum

Changing Culture, Leadership in Action: Changing Organisational Culture, with host Michelle Bloom

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good, host Michelle Bloom speaks with Amie Wallis, Chief of People and Culture at the Australian Olympic Committee, about their cultural transformation journey over the past 8 years.

Facing significant challenges, the AOC conducted a comprehensive review leading to reforms in governance, people development, transparency, and accountability.

The result? A cultural shift that has positively impacted both the organisation and the broader Olympic community.

Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Amie Wallis from the Australian Olympics Committee

Leadership and the Cultivation of Social Impact, with host Michelle Bloom

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good podcast, host Michelle Bloom speaks to Professor Kristy Muir is the CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation and a Professor of Social Policy at UNSW Sydney Business School on how leaders can cultivate and embed social value into their organisational cultures.  

There’s a growing societal expectation that organisations – and organisational leaders – should take a more active role in creating social value, not just for shareholders or customers, but for everyone, particularly those most marginalised.  

Given trust is at the core of social license to operate and building social value, we will explore the erosion of trust by many Australian organisations and what leaders can do to increase the trust, confidence and the social value of their organisations.  

Kristy shares her insights on how senior leaders need to balance their fiduciary responsibility, keeping the organisational purpose at the core, the role of values and how to balance social responsibility in economically difficult times.  

Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Kristy Muir from Paul Ramsay Foundation

How to Measure Organisational Culture Effectively, with host Michelle Bloom

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good podcast, host Michelle Bloom speaks to Somali Cerise on the art and science of measuring culture. We explore the tools and metrics available to measure culture, off the shelf options, versus a research approach and if it is indeed possible to measure organisational culture at all. We discuss if we are all on the same page in what we mean by culture, what is being measured and the purpose and value of measurement.  

Shareholders, investors, regulators are all interested in understanding the culture of an organisation, as poor culture very often leads to poor outcomes for investors and consumers, it impacts on the integrity of the Australian financial markets, and erodes investor, consumer trust and confidence, impacting the wider eco system in which it operates.  

Somali shares her practical experience in how to measure and understand this mercurial concept of culture. 

Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Somali Cerise from Elizabeth Broderick & Co

Defining Culture: Leadership’s Role in Defining Organisational Culture for the Greater Good, with host Michelle Bloom

In this episode of Cultivating Cultures for the Greater Good podcast, host Michelle Bloom speaks to Yolanda Saiz, CEO of St Vinnies, NSW about the foundational role that leadership plays in defining organisational culture. Culture is most typically defined as “the way we do things around here”. It is communicated in several ways through symbols and language such how people dress and talk to each other. It is also communicated through the organisational values that are deemed good and inform how people behave and make decisions. But culture is also shaped by the unspoken agreements, the shadow values within the organisation that drive unintended behaviours and consequences and really determine “the way things get done around here.

 

Yolanda shares some examples of how she and the leadership team at St Vinnies have cultivated a culture for the greater good. She also shares the transformational journey of the “Vinnie’s stores”, underpinned by the “no mission without margin” mantra.

 

Michelle Bloom from ANSTO; Yolanda Saiz from St Vinnies

Where Do We Go From Here? with host Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton

Episode eight: In this episode of Leadership: Navigating Complexity, host Dr. Aiden M.A. Thornton is joined by a distinguished panel of leadership scholars and practitioners to explore the evolving challenges of leadership in an era of rapid change. Featuring Professor David V. Day, Professor Samuel Wilson, Dr. Kerry Elliott, and strategist Scott Ko, the discussion delves into key issues such as social divisiveness, polarized thinking, epistemic complexity, and burnout in a world of constant disruption. The conversation examines the struggle to align diverse worldviews, the limitations of binary thinking and quick fixes, and the role of connection and shared meaning in fostering progress. With insights into the transformative impact of AI on leadership, this episode offers thought-provoking perspectives for leaders, strategists, and anyone navigating complexity in an ever-changing world.

Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton from The Australian National University (ANU); Professor David V. Day from Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College; Professor Samuel Wilson  from Swinburne University of Technology; Dr. Kerry Elliott from ACER; Scott Ko from ColourSpace Gallery 

Resources: 

• Professor Day’s article on systems-based approach to development: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/7/548
• ANU School of Cybernetics white paper on Cybernetic Leadership: https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/projects/cybernetics-leadership/

 

Talking Leadership Development: “The Answers to Your Leadership Development Questions?”, with host Dr Toby Newstead

The Answers to Your Leadership Development Questions: What constitutes truly effective leadership development? With an abundance of theories, frameworks, and methodologies available, how can we discern which approaches are most effective—and in what contexts? More critically, how do we measure genuine developmental progress in leaders?

In this episode of Talking Leadership Development, we present key insights from the February 21st webinar. Hosted by Toby Newstead, PhD, the conversation involved leading scholars and experienced practitioners who engaged in a rigorous discussion on these pressing questions. Whether you are responsible for designing leadership programs, teaching leadership, developing others, or enhancing your own capabilities, this conversation offers research-driven perspectives and practical strategies to elevate leadership development in complex and evolving environments.

Hosted by Dr Toby Newstead from the University of Tasmania, the panel included Dr. Ruchi Sinha from Nanyang Technological University Singapore; Dr. Scott Allen from Cox School of Business Executive Education, Southern Methodist University; Prof. Ronald Riggio from Kravis Leadership Institute - Claremont McKenna College

Systems-Based Approaches to Fostering Leader and Leadership Development, with host Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton

Episode seven: Systems-Based Approaches to Fostering Leader and Leadership Development, featuring Professor Katherine Daniell, Director of the School of Cybernetics at The Australian National University & Professor David V. Day, Professor of Psychological Science & Leadership, Academic Director of the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College. 

In this episode of the Leadership Navigating Complexity podcast, host Dr. Aiden Thornton speaks with Professor Katherine Daniell & Professor David V. Day. The conversation focuses on the distinctions between leader and leadership development, and between event-based, practice-based, and systems-based approaches to development. David highlights that while traditional leadership development focuses on individuals, effective leadership development should aim to enhance the collective capacity of groups or organisations, especially in addressing complex challenges. Catherine echoes this viewpoint, noting that her cybernetics program focuses on collective development, selecting entire cohorts rather than individuals to foster systemic change.

Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton from The Australian National University (ANU); Professor Katherine Daniell from the School of Cybernetics at The Australian National University; Professor David V. Day from Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College

Professor David V Day:

• https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/7/548

The ANU's perspective on cybernetic leadership:

• https://cybernetics.anu.edu.au/projects/cybernetics-leadership/

 

On the Measurement of Leadership, with host Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton

Episode Six: On The Measurement of Leadership, featuring Dr Matt Barney, Founder and award-winning Organisational Psychologist & Professor John Antonakis, Organisational Behaviour in the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. 

In this episode of the Leadership Navigating Complexity podcast, host Dr. Aiden Thornton speaks with Dr Matt Barney & professor John Antonakis about the challenges of accurately measuring leadership behaviour, differentiating it from mere perceptions, which are often influenced by biases. Dr. Barney discusses advances in AI that enable the capture of precise behavioural data, a "game changer" in leadership evaluation, while Professor Antonakis highlights issues around traditional behavioural assessments and the importance of understanding nuanced perceptions.

Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton from The Australian National University (ANU); Dr Matt Barney from TruMind.ai; Professor John Antonakis from HEC Lausanne - The Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Lausanne. 

Additional Resources: 

Dr Matt Barney

 

3 Transdisciplinary measurement through AI: hybrid metrology and psychometrics powered by large language models

 

Professor John Antonakis:

Learning Charisma, by John Antonakis, Marika Fenley and Sue Liechti 

John Antonakis, Google Scholar 

John Antonakis, ResearchGate 

The Neuropsychology of Complexity Leadership, with host Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton

Episode Five: The Neuropsychology of Complexity Leadership, featuring Dr Jess Herrington, Neuroscientist and Futures Specialist at ANU School of Cybernetics, The Australian National University.

In this episode, the discussion delves into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, leadership, and complexity. Dr Herrington brings her expertise in visual neuroscience to explore how the human brain processes patterns, textures, and the impacts of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s. The conversation shifts to the intricate ways leaders’ brains manage complexity, focusing on the critical roles of the prefrontal cortex, thalamus, and basal ganglia in metacognition, decision-making, and inhibition.

This episode also examines how stress influences problem-solving, emphasising the delicate balance between maintaining cognitive engagement and avoiding overwhelm. By understanding these dynamics, leaders can optimise their executive functioning and navigate complex challenges more effectively. Whether you’re a leader, a neuroscience enthusiast, or simply curious about the brain’s role in tackling complexity, this episode will inspire you to think deeply about how we approach leadership in an interconnected world.

Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton from The Australian National University (ANU); Dr Jess Herrington, Neuroscientist and Futures Specialist at ANU School of Cybernetics, The Australian National University.

Talking Leadership Development: "Challenges & Opportunities in Developing Leadership", with host Dr Toby Newstead

"Challenges & Opportunities in Developing Leadership" What stands between us and more effective leadership development? From the research-practice gap to emerging challenges like generative AI and leader burnout, traditional approaches are being tested like never before.

Leading academics and seasoned practitioners unpacked critical challenges in leadership development and revealed promising ways forward. Hosted by Toby Newstead, PhD, the discussion delves into how leadership development, according to the panellists, must go beyond surface-level skills to embrace a deeper sense of purpose, empathy, and collective responsibility. It’s about navigating complex social and organisational challenges with a strong sense of purpose and accountability.

Hosted by Dr Toby Newstead from the University of Tasmania, the panel included Professor Michelle Ryan, Gender Equality Expert, Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology; Dr Tomas Remenyi, Science Translator & Climate Scientist; Sara Redman, Leadership & Culture Consultant; Prof. David Day, Professor of Psychological Science and Leadership