Leadership Decanted

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights." It is an affirmation as well as a promise made by many countries via the ratification of a number of Human Rights treaties. Australia is one of the countries that has made the 'promise' to uphold those treaties. However Australia has not fully incorporated these treaties into its own domestic laws through a comprehensive national human rights act, which has been a point of ongoing confusion, contention, debate and advocacy for some time.
This has tested many people in leadership positions time and again, shedding light, not always positive, on the many fraught decisions and uncertain paths that need to be explored if the fundamental principles of Human Rights are to have any meaning or value in our society.
To unpack what all this means, and to explain the purpose and future of Human Rights in Australia, Paul & KG had the privilege and absolute pleasure of sitting down with Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher who, at the time of recording this conversation, is the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission.
We think you will find this conversation as entertaining, informative and inspirational as KG & Paul did. And of course, it was well-served by a most unconventional, yet delicious, wine from Gilbert Family Wines, in Mudgee, NSW. The wine is a 2022, Pétillant-Naturel Rosé. A gently frizzante wine that is both refreshing and holds its weight with generous mouthfuls of fine fruit, including strawberry and watermelon. A lovely drop provided by our friends at Annandale Cellars. Check them out for this and other outstanding wines.
Sláinte friends!
Some useful resources from this episode:
1. Australian Human Rights Commission
2. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
3. Free and Equal: An Australian conversation on human rights
We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.
Please reach out on [email protected] or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com
Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!
Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

Back in Cheeky Half 17, Paul & KG considered the Social Cohesion Report, researched and published by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute. It is a veritable goldmine of insight and possibility, pointing out the many ways our society connects, grows and flourishes - and the potential risks we should all guard against in order to protect societal cohesion. They also wound up their conversation wondering if there would be an opportunity to talk to someone at the institute so they could explain the purpose and impact of such compelling work.
Fast-forward (well, not too fast...) almost an entire season later and Paul & KG had the absolute pleasure of sitting with Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Research Institute, to discuss all things cohesion, and especially the stories that hold us together.
This is a deeply engaging conversation, covering the origins of the research, it's purpose, it's use across a number of domains (social policy, community engagement, to name just two) and the way stories around our local communities help to create and sustain a sense of belonging and connection.
And of course, we are kept company by an unbelievably, top-notch, non-alcoholic Riesling (yes, you read that correctly!). Our friends at Annandale Cellars knocked it out of the park with the stunning Dr Loosen Dr Lo Riesling. It is a non-vintage, non-alcoholic drop that will blow you away. You just have to try some!

Sláinte friends!
Some useful resources from this episode:
1. An executive summary of the Mapping Social Cohesion Report 2023, beautifully visualised.
2. Scanlon Foundation
3. Scanlon Foundation Research Institute
4. Mapping Social Cohesion Report 2023 - Full (Download)
5. Social Cohesion Compass
6. Strong Communities Narratives
7. Welcoming Cities
8. Voices of Australia Podcast
We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.
Please reach out on [email protected] or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com
Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!
Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

In leadership roles, we often face uncomfortable conversations and encounters. When experiencing these unsettling situations, we have a few options. These include enduring the discomfort and navigating through the storm until we find stability, or prematurely ending the conversation, ignoring the tension. One approach fosters growth and connection, the other doesn't.
Join KG & Paul as they wrestle with the 'return of the repressed', 'inspired' by the recent and unexpected visit from an infamous virus.
Today, the conversation is supported by an delectable Italian style red wine, Angullong 'Fossil Hill', Barbera, Sagrantino, Sangiovese blend, 2019. A surprisingly approachable and accessible wine from the Orange Region in NSW, Australia.
Please join us, we'd love your company. Sláinte friends!
We're keen to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.
Please reach out on [email protected] or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com
Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!
Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!

It's not unusual for any of us to feel under the pump, where there just aren't enough hours in the day to get done what needs to get done. It is a perennial challenge that often ends with us spinning our wheels, emotionally throwing our hands in the air and giving in to the situation, as if there were no other option. If you identify with this response, then Paul is worried about you. And for himself.
Join Paul & KG as they wrestle with this very common challenge. They focus on a critical question - that of agency - wondering out loud what might be stopping many of us from making radical decisions that could actually help us jump off that hamster wheel.
Join us and please, share your thoughts!
Sláinte!
We'd love to hear what you thought of this conversation. Is this a topic worth pursuing in one of our longer monthly episodes?
Please let us know through either of the options below.
Please reach out on [email protected] or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com
Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!

It's that time in our lives when we look back, doe-eyed and in soft focus, to a magical year... Hmm, maybe not. Despite our penchant for a nice glass (or two) of wine during our Leadership Decanted conversations, we manage to take a sober look at how we think leadership may have played out over the past year.
Join Paul and KG as they reflect on 2022, and how they make sense of it in terms of their work in the Leadership 'space'. If we may say so ourselves (and we're doing it right now!), we think there is a lot to be gleaned from this conversation. And if they can't convince you, then perhaps better minds will, as they also reminisce about some of the outstanding conversations they've had with special guests over the year.
Of course, there is the wine. And what a wine to finish off our 2022 series. On this occasion Paul and KG crack open a 2019 Strawhouse, The Big Bad Wolf; a lip-smacking blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement this year. Here's to the next!
Sláinte friends!
We'd love to hear what you thought of this conversation. Please let us know through either of the options below.
Please reach out on [email protected] or visit us at www.leadershipdecanted.com
Disagree or agree with anything we've said? How wrong are we?!? Are there any leadership topics you'd like us to discuss (or perhaps other books or podcasts that might set us straight!)? Maybe you'd like to recommend a favourite wine!
Whatever tickles your fancy, we'd love to hear from you!!