Episodes

19 hours ago
19 hours ago

Friday Mar 21, 2025
Where Do We Go From Here? hosted by Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton
Friday Mar 21, 2025
Friday Mar 21, 2025
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/

Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
Tuesday Mar 04, 2025
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

Thursday Feb 27, 2025
Thursday Feb 27, 2025
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

Thursday Feb 13, 2025
On the Measurement of Leadership, hosted by Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
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
Professor John Antonakis:
Learning Charisma, by John Antonakis, Marika Fenley and Sue Liechti
John Antonakis, Google Scholar
John Antonakis, ResearchGate

Thursday Jan 23, 2025
The Neuropsychology of Complexity Leadership, hosted by Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
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.

Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
"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

Thursday Dec 19, 2024
Thursday Dec 19, 2024
Episode Four: Bridging Theory and Practice in Complexity Leadership, with Professor Christopher Pietroni & Dr Rachel Lilley
In this episode of the Leadership Navigating Complexity podcast, host Dr. Aiden Thornton speaks with Professor Christopher Pietroni and Dr Rachel Lilley about whether leadership truly makes a difference, particularly in the context of global populism and its impact on organisational narratives. The discussion delves into how leaders often resort to simplified, comforting messages to address complex issues, exploring the implications of this trend on both political and organisational levels. They examine the need for leaders to balance simplicity and complexity in communication, emphasising the importance of revealing genuine dilemmas to engage their teams effectively.
Dr Aiden Thornton from The Australian National University (ANU); Professor Christopher Pietroni from University of Birmingham; Rachel Lilley from University of Birmingham

Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Real-World Examples of Complexity Leadership Hosted by Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Episode Three: Real-World Examples of Complexity Leadership, with Jackie O’Dowd, Founding Partner/CEO of Realising-Potential
In this episode of the Leadership Navigating Complexity podcast, host Dr. Aiden Thornton speaks with Jackie O'Dowd, CEO of Realising Potential, about complexity leadership and its practical applications in today’s business environment. Jackie shares her insights on the challenges faced by senior leaders, emphasising the struggle to align strategies, engage employees, and deploy technology effectively. She discusses the paradox leaders encounter between maintaining current customer satisfaction while preparing for future demands.
Dr Aiden Thornton from The Australian National University (ANU); Jackie O’Dowd from Realising-Potential

Thursday Nov 21, 2024
The Fundamentals of Complexity Theory Hosted by Dr Aiden M. A. Thornton
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Episode Two: The Fundamentals of Complexity Theory, with Shannan Distinguished Professor Geoffrey West
In this episode, host Dr. Aiden Thornton explores the fundamentals of complexity theory with Shannan Distinguished Professor Geoffrey West. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding complex adaptive systems—networks with many interconnected parts that exhibit emergent properties. West emphasises that these systems, such as cities, are more than just the sum of their individual components. He also discusses the Institute's unique structure, which fosters interaction among a small group of scholars and visitors, allowing for dynamic exchanges of ideas without the rigidity of tenure.
Dr Aiden Thornton from The Australian National University (ANU); Shannan Distinguished Professor Geoffrey West