In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, host Simon Bowen speaks with Major General Mick Ryan AM, a distinguished military leader with 35 years of experience in the Australian Army. From leading reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan to serving in strategic roles at the Pentagon, Mick shares battle-tested leadership wisdom that transcends sectors. Discover his insights on human-centered leadership, navigating complexity, embracing failure, and building organizations that continuously adapt to change.
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Episode Breakdown
00:00: Introduction and Mick's extensive military leadership background
05:18: Context and purpose: The foundation of effective leadership
12:36: Leadership by walking around: Human connection in a digital age
18:52: Technology's role in leadership and organizational success
25:44: Leading through complexity and high-stakes environments
33:29: The three-step framework for solving complex problems
38:22: Learning from failure: Mick's personal journey and leadership lessons
45:36: Continuous adaptation vs. reform programs
52:12: Institutional trust and balancing individual vs. collective outcomes
58:43: Stewardship and building a lasting leadership legacy
About Major General Mick Ryan AM
Major General Mick Ryan AM is a highly skilled leader and strategist with more than three decades of experience in senior roles in the Australian military and beyond. His expertise in leadership, institutional strategy, technology, organizational adaptation, and change management is sought after globally.
Mick has led reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, managed complex institutional reforms, and served in strategic advisory roles at the Pentagon. He is an adjunct fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC and a non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney.
In 2008, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for distinguished leadership of the Australian 1st Reconstruction Task Force in Afghanistan. Throughout his career, Mick has maintained a deep commitment to investing in people and exemplifying continuous learning.
Connect with Mick Ryan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mick-ryan-am-ba299540/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WarInTheFuture
Website: https://mickryan.com.au/
About Simon Bowen
Simon has spent over two decades working with influential leaders across complex industries. His focus is on elevating thinking in organizations, recognizing that success is directly proportional to the quality of thinking and ideas within a business. Simon leads the renaissance of thinking through his work with global leaders and organizations.
Connect with Simon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/
Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/
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The Wisdom Of... with Simon Bowen