The optimism principle

Optimism motivates individuals and organisations to envision and create a brighter future, and by integrating this principle into the core practices of business and governance, leaders can inspire confidence, drive innovation, and manage change more effectively.

The optimistic country

The Centre for Optimism has released a six-point plan to encourage Australian leadership, collaboration, participation, and transparency.

Is optimism on your risk register?

An optimistic mindset will help reframe the challenges of our time as opportunities rather than constraints and bring people together in the search for solutions.

Cultivating optimism through meditation and leadership

A free workshop on “How to be More Optimistic: Optimism, Meditation and Leadership” will be held on the 2nd of February in Sydney, featuring author Victor Perton, international affairs expert Keith Suter and women´s transformation and courage author Caroline Ward.

Alma Besserdin of Wimmigrants on Australian Leadership

Alma Besserdin is the Founder and Director of Wimmigrants, an organisation dedicated to assisting migrant women to rebuild their careers in their chosen country. She speaks with Victor Perton about Australian leadership.

Victorian school students to join government boards

From 2018 it will become mandatory for student representatives to be elected to Victorian Government school councils (boards) and given full voting rights. Founder of the Australian Leadership blog, Victor Perton discusses the initiative.

Celebrating diversity and promoting social inclusion in our community

Australians need charismatic leaders who have a long term vision for the country. Not leaders driven by personal ambition or motivated by lobbies or donor’s interests. Shepparton based community leader Rashidi Samaili considers Australian leadership.

Too often our leaders wait and wait

“Credibility is a precious commodity. A stock of it is created by persistently offering simple, clear advice that recognises a policy shift is on, and explains why – and where the national interest lies.” Chairman of Australia’s Productivity Commission Peter Harris said in a challenging speech entitled Productivity and Policy Challenges in an Environment of Pervasive Uncertainty delivered at the Economic and Social Outlook Conference on 20 July 2017 in Melbourne.

Why did I start the Australian Leadership Project?

One often comes across cynicism and uncertainty in conversations about Australia’s leadership qualities. Victor Perton is passionate to share the stories of great Australian leadership.

A delegate perspective of the GAP Summit

More than 130 delegates attended the National Economic Review 2012 Global Access Partners Annual Growth Summit. Victor Perton shares his view of the day’s proceedings.  

On Friday (14 September) I had the privilege to participate in the National Economic Review GAP Annual Growth Summit held in the NSW parliamentary chamber in Sydney.

I came away inspired and energised.  It was a gathering of creative people looking to new opportunities through collaboration and support of innovation and new thinking.

Sessions like "Productivity, Public Value and Leadership" and "Restructuring the Australian Economy in the new Asian Century" were deeply engaged sessions led by fine speakers with fascinating contributions from the Summit delegates.

Is optimism American? Thoughts from a citizen of the best country on earth

Australians like to think of themselves as easy-going and optimistic. But does that image still work for us in 2011? Victor Perton argues that, with the help of the media, Australia is in danger of becoming a nation of pessimists.

Recently to end an email debate, a Scandinavian friend wrote, "I guess you’ve become American; I just asked an American friend here to go out with me tomorrow, nobody is more optimistic than Americans!"

No doubt, she was right about my optimism. I am an optimist, even possessing a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses with rose-coloured lenses to augment my general world view. Was she right that optimism was an American trait, and my years of living in the states had further (rose) coloured my views?

Red tape “threat to growth”?

It is a delight to introduce today the final report from the GAP Congress on Regulatory Affairs: "Opportunities for Business".

It is a delight to introduce today the final report from the GAP Congress on Regulatory Affairs: Opportunities for Business.

On 26 September 2008, it was my pleasure to chair the GAP Congress on Regulatory Affairs: Opportunities for Business, held at Victoria’s Parliament House in Melbourne.