The Australian Leadership Paradox

What it takes to lead in the lucky country

Australians bemoan the quality of our leaders. We blame those in power for not showing leadership, only to turn on them when they start tackling the hard issues they are expected to fix. No wonder, then, that even the most passionate and talented among us hesitate to take up this important role.

The Australian Leadership Paradox offers a circuit breaker for this impasse, providing new insights into Australia's distinct leadership culture and a new way forward. It exposes the inherent tensions in Australians' historical relationship with authority, interrogates our culture of mateship and egalitarianism, and challenges the narrative of a nation of Aussies leading in adversity when we are actually living in 'the lucky country'. These tensions are the four key paradoxes of Australian leadership.

Drawing on their extensive experience, Geoff Aigner and Liz Skelton ask the deep questions on what it means to lead well. Working with hundreds of leaders from government, business and community organisations, they have identified how we can develop more purposeful leadership. They show how it's possible for leadership to be inspiring, sustainable and effective in bringing positive economic and social change. Incisive and practical, this unique book shows how we can participate in creating the change we want to see in the world.

'Aigner and Skelton challenge our understanding of what leadership characteristics are needed in the Australian context, with every page presenting new insights and possibilities... a fascinating portrayal of how leadership is exercised in our institutions but leaves us yearning for something much better.' - Robert Fitzgerald AM, Commissioner, Productivity Commission

'...in the tradition of Donald Horne's The Lucky Country, ...challenges us to rise above complacency and complaint and accept that leadership and power are needed for progress.' - Professor Geoff Gallop, former Premier of Western Australia