Latest articles
Leadership articles
Read our monthly articles which discuss key leadership topics along with insights from our index.
Advancing leadership for the greater good in Australia: Taking stock and looking ahead
Against a backdrop of unethical conduct, irresponsible leadership and deep distrust of institutions, there is a pervasive sense that we are not well served by our institutions or those who lead them.
Gambling On Our Future: Why Australia’s Gaming Industry Needs A Government Intervention
Poor perceptions of the Australian gaming industry are to be expected given the controversies that have plagued the industry—from ‘disgraceful’ conduct at Crown Casino to contributions to the post-COVID mental health crisis.
CMFEU Scandal Likely To Weaken Already Poor Trade Union Leadership Perceptions
The recent CMFEU scandal is likely to weaken trade union leadership perceptions and, in a double blow, hurt their long-term intiatives for their member-base.
Civic Health In Australia: A National Portrait And Call For Leadership For The Greater Good
There are serious concerns about the state of civic health in Australia, with our latest report showing that both trust in leadership and civic engagement are in decline.
How Media Organisations Can Improve Poor Integrity And Competence Perceptions
Leadership perceptions of media organisations have declined in the past 12 months with more commitment to publishing standards required.
Price Gouging And Profiteering: How Perceptions Of Australian Supermarkets Have Changed In 2024
Perceptions of Australian supermarkets have dropped sharply as several government agencies launch inquiries into price gouging practices.
Leadership and the search for the common good
With society more polarised than ever the need to find common ground is becoming increasingly important, particularly as public trust in our leading institutions continues weaken.
Bridging The Divide Between Social Justice And Social Order
Divisions between those seeking social justice and social order are widening, making it more important than ever to see common ground for the greater good.
What does the ‘common good’ actually mean?Our research found common ground across the political divide
Like moral issues that elicit strong arguments for and against, conceptualisations of the common good can vary according to the different needs of individuals and the different values they hold.
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Scholarly papers and citations
Browse our most recent scholarly articles and citations.
A search for commonalities in defining the common good: Using folk theories to unlock shared conceptions
Wheeler, M. A., Wilson, S. G., Baes, N., & Demsar, V. (2024). A search for commonalities in defining the common good: Using folk theories to unlock shared conceptions. British Journal of Social Psychology, 00, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12713
Compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures during the onset of the pandemic in Australia: investigating the role of trust in federal and state governments and scientists
(2023) Compliance with COVID-19 prevention measures during the onset of the pandemic in Australia: investigating the role of trust in federal and state governments and scientists, Australian Journal of Psychology, 75:1
https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530.2023.2224453
Falling Apart and Coming Together: How Public Perceptions of Leadership Change in Response to Natural Disasters vs. Health Crises
Wheeler, M.A.; Bednall, T.; Demsar, V.; Wilson, S.G. Falling Apart and Coming Together: How Public Perceptions of Leadership Change in Response to Natural Disasters vs. Health Crises. Sustainability 2022, 14, 837. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020837
The Grand Challenge None of Us Chose: Succeeding (and Failing) Against the Global Pandemic
Adler (USA), N.J., Sackmann (Switzerland), S.A., Arieli (Israel), S., Akter (Bangladesh), M.(., Barmeyer (Germany), C., Barzantny (France), C., Caprar (Australia and New Zealand), D.V., Lee (Taiwan), Y.-t., Liu (China), L.A., Magnani (Italy), G., Marcus (Turkey), J., Miska (Austria), C., Moore (United Kingdom), F., Park (South Korea), S.H., Reiche (Spain), B.S., Søderberg (Denmark and Sweden), A.-M., Solomons (Rwanda), J. and Zhang (China), Z.-X. (2022), “The Grand Challenge None of Us Chose: Succeeding (and Failing) Against the Global Pandemic 1 “, Osland, J.S., Reiche, B.S., Szkudlarek, B. and Mendenhall, M.E. (Ed.) Advances in Global Leadership (Advances in Global Leadership, Vol. 14), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 3-85.
APO: Australian Leadership Index
Analysis & Policy Observatory
The Recovery Book: what Australian governments should do now
The Grattan Institute (28 June 2020)
Where do leaders come from? A leader-centred approach
Crobett, J. (2019). Where do leaders come from? A leader-centred approach. Developmental Leadership Program (DLP)
Recent trends in Australian local government reform
Graham Sansom. (2020). Recent trends in Australian local government reform. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, (23), ID 7546. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.vi23.7546
COVID-19 and Inequities in Australian Education – Insights on Federalism, Autonomy, and Access
Eacott, S., MacDonald, K., Keddie, A., Blackmore, J., & Wilkinson, J. (2020). COVID-19 and inequities in Australian education – insights on federalism, autonomy, and access. International Studies in Educational Administration, 48(3), 6-13.
3rd Advancing Community Cohesion Conference: The Way Forward
Governor of New South Wales (10 February 2020)
Media mentions
Explore media coverage of the Australian Leadership Index and our research.
What Can Ordinary People Do to Address Social Polarization?
Psychology Today (4 March 2024)
What does the ‘common good’ actually mean? Our research found common ground across the political divide
The Conversation (23 January 2024)
New research puts charities in the “golden quadrant” of leadership
Pro Bono News (9 February 2022)
Looking for a leadership speech? Former PM Scott Morrison is now available for hire
SmartCompany (17 October 2022)
Australians’ confidence in government integrity has increased since election, study finds
The Guardian Australia (4 October 2022)
What Patagonia’s recent business move says about NFP leadership
Pro Bono News (15 September 2022)
Radio interview with Dr Melissa Wheeler
The Grapevine (23 May 2022)
5 charts show how trust in Australia’s leaders and institutions has collapsed
The Conversation (20 May 2022)
Is agile and hands-on leadership effective for the greater good?
ProBono Australia (14 April 2022)
How to Make Sense of the Paradoxes of the Common Good
Psychology Today (17 March 2022)
Despite Our Differences, Can We Find a Common Good?
Psychology Today (4 March 2022)
Women’s Leadership in Medicine During the Pandemic
Psychology Today (20 January 2022)
The Paradox of Virtue Signalling
Psychology Today (6 September 2021)
What We Can Learn About Leadership from Cuomo's Resignation
Psychology Today (14 August 2021)
Seen to be green? Research reveals how environmental performance shapes public perceptions of our leaders
The Conversation (7 July 2021)
The Swing Podcast, Episode 30
The Swing (20 April 2021)
Women Losing Trust in Political Leaders Shows New Swinburne Research
Swinburne News (16 April 2021)
Women Abandon Coalition in Droves
The Australian (15 April 2021)
Small business might be key to Australia’s recovery, but a collective effort is required
Smart Company (25 February 2021)
Leadership data shows plenty of work to do
7News (21 July 2019)
A New Measure of Leadership for the Greater Good in the Public, Private and Plural Sectors
Innovative Leadership Institute (17 February 2020)
Damning report card of the performance of Australian leaders across all sectors
news.com.au (25 July 2019)
SWINBURNE LAUNCHES AUSTRALIAN LEADERSHIP INDEX
Swinburne News (19 July 2019)
Charities top community perceptions of leadership for the public good
ProBono Australia (25 September 2019)
How the coronavirus pandemic is (finally) resulting in leadership for the greater good
The Conversation (24 April 2020)
Want good leadership? Look here
National Seniors Australia (29 April 2020)
Leadership index reveals public distrust in NFP sector
ProBono Australia (24 July 2019)
Netball number one for the ‘greater good’ survey
Netball Australia (13 September 2019)
Getting out of liquor and pokies will cost Woolworths, but deliver lasting benefits
The Conversation (4 July 2019)
3rd Advancing Community Cohesion Conference: The Way Forward
Governor of New South Wales (10 February 2020)
Pandemic widens gap between government and Australians’ view of education
The Conversation (12 November 2020)
Best on ground: why Australians think sporting bodies provide strongest leadership for public good
The Conversation (10 September 2019)
