When incremental improvement is unlikely to be enough
- Phil D'Adamo
- Jul 3
- 1 min read
Reading this depressing article about Australia's tired economic growth model (link below) left me thinking less about the economy and more about leadership.
It paints a sobering picture of Australia's current position: weak productivity growth, declining consumer confidence, stagnant wages, persistent cost-of-living pressures, growing anxiety about AI and an economy whose traditional growth model appears to be running out of steam.
If that assessment is broadly correct, then incremental improvement is unlikely to be enough.
From a change leadership perspective, transformation begins with accepting reality.
We need to acknowledge that the assumptions underpinning Australia's past success may no longer deliver our future prosperity.
From there, we need a compelling vision. Even if it isn't fully formed yet, a vision of what the next economic growth model could look like.
That requires courageous conversations about difficult issues, connecting them into a coherent strategy rather than pursuing piecemeal solutions. It also means letting go of outdated thinking and behaviours that continue to anchor us to the past.
None of this will be easy.
Transitions are uncomfortable. They create uncertainty for individuals, businesses and communities.
They demand leadership that communicates honestly, supports people through change, celebrates early wins and adapts as new challenges emerge.
Whether you're leading a government agency, a business, a community organisation or simply influencing those around you, this is a moment that calls for more than management.
It calls for your leadership.
Australia clearly needs more than business as usual with a few tweaks along the way. It needs leaders willing to help shape the next chapter.
