In Episode 34, “Australia: A Strategy-Free Zone“, Blenheim Partners’ Gregory Robinson speaks to former Australian Chief of Army, Professor Peter Leahy AC. Peter is currently Chairman of ASX-listed Citadel Group Ltd, Director of Codan Ltd, Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd and is a member of the Advisory Boards of WarpForge Ltd and China Matters.
Peter is also Chairman of Soldier On Australia, the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Committee in the Australian Capital Territory, The Australian Student Veterans Association and the Australian International Military Games which brought the Invictus Games to Australia in 2018. Peter is a Professor and the foundation Director of the National Security Institute at the University of Canberra and in 2007 was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia.
Peter encourages us, as Australians, to examine our current circumstances calling for a broad national debate on a number of key issues. He asks what values as a nation do we stand for, where we want to be in the long term, and what is our role as global citizens. He asks how is this reflected in our political and moral leadership and why are we void of coherent strategy and policy.
In this confronting discussion, Peter and Greg delve deeper into leadership and what it actually means. Peter details the challenges he faced in leading Australia’s brave men and women, especially in the political side of war and conflict and looks back to what he feels is one of his deepest regrets from his time in the top rank, sharing very personal stories on a career that has witnessed the grotesque and the great of mankind. Peter covers the parallels between the military and business and leaves us filled with enormous optimism and pride in our country.