Menzies Leadership Forum

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

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/  

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

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/

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Matt Barney, an award-winning organizational psychologist and founder of TruMind.ai, teams up with Professor John Antonakis from the University of Lausanne. They delve into the complexities of measuring leadership, debunking common biases that cloud perception. Dr. Barney reveals how AI innovations are revolutionizing leadership assessments, while Antonakis emphasizes the critical role of charisma. The conversation further explores the fusion of mental intelligence and emotional insights in redefining leadership effectiveness.

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.

"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

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

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

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