What makes this conversation so inspiring is the notion that, when we are working with individual leaders to strengthen their leadership practice, we are also supporting their teams, their families and their communities. We are not just supporting the individual but the entire system in which they are located.

Sarah Cornally is a passionate leadership practitioner, and Partner at Acumen Global Partners. She is adamant 'systemic thinking' is the essential lens for anyone navigating the deep complexity of modern organisations. Sarah, KG and Paul dive straight into why understanding systems - rather than just individuals or silos - unlocks hidden dynamics, exposes entrenched patterns, and creates genuine possibilities for lasting change.

And the 'magic sauce'? In the end, to be able to productively navigate the many contradictory demands of any complex system, success rests on the quality of relationships, and not just structures or policies. It's the quality of our connections that determines whether transformation fails or flourishes, and why what lies “under the table” must be brought to light for the whole system to grow and progress.

And, as always, Annandale Cellars has generously provided an incredible bottle of wine to accompany this free-flowing conversation. On this occasion we crack open a bottle of 2023 Yohan Lardy Poppy Gamay. It is a gorgeous, light red wine, with lots of fruit and an easy drinking style.

Get at least half a dozen of these (or half a dozen of any of their amazing wines) and get a 20% discount by using our code at checkout: DECANTED

Sláinte friends!

Useful resources from this episode:

1. Acumen Partners
2. Dude Dancing on the Hill
3. Same Dude, shorter version
4. The Mandelbrot Set

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 askus@leadershipdecanted.com 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!!

Our very first live podcast recording with Steve Hearsum (Episode 5.07) is the gift that keeps giving!

Join Paul & KG as they open the space to questions from our audience for our highly engaging guest. The questions are considered, and the ongoing conversation is insightful, offering an unexpected invitation to deeper reflection and vulnerability.

And let us repeat, for your drinking pleasure, the delectable wines provided by our friends at Annandale Cellars on this occasion.

• 2022 Spinifex Bête Noir Shiraz.
• 2024 Catlow & Company Nebbiolo
• 2024 Wanderer Yarra Valley Macclesfield Chardonnay

Use our discount code when you get to check out and, for six bottles or more, you'll get a huge 20% off the total price of your order. What's the discount code, you ask? That's easy! It's 'DECANTED' (without the quote marks).

Sláinte friends!

We'd love to hear what you thought of this conversation and any suggestions on this topic for future episodes.

Please feel free to send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions any time via email.

Some useful resources from this episode:

1. Episode 5.07, Leadership & the Myth of the Silver Bullet (Spotify)
2. No Silver Bullet
3. Magnetic Nonsense (Paul Sweeney)
4. Edge and Stretch
5. New River Leadership

Please let us know through either of the options below.

Please reach out on askus@leadershipdecanted.com 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!

Join KG and Paul in Leadership Decanted's FIRST podcast recorded in front of a live audience. Exciting times indeed!

It seems that if we're doing leadership well, then chances are we will regularly experience uncertainty, ambiguity, doubt, and maybe even shame at our inability to find a solution to many of our challenges. Leadership is hard. We know this.

If only there was a ready-made and easily deployable solution to each of these complex situations. There isn't one. We know this too.

And yet we nevertheless long for these silver bullets that will ease the heavy burden of leadership, so that we stop feeling so overwhelmed by these intractable challenges. Surely there's a silver bullet out there. Sorry, there isn't.

Steve Hearsum, an experienced organisational consultant and author of the deeply engaging, "No Silver Bullet", is adamant about this. In fact, he argues these deep and unshakeable desires - often unconscious and unacknowledged - can lead us, and the people we lead, into risky and dangerous territory when it comes to initiating the changes we need to grow and develop our organisations.

Paul and KG were joined by a lively audience (having already been plied with either a gorgeous Nebbiolo or Chardonnay from our friends at Annandale Cellars) to talk to Steve about his work, and his compelling insights around this tempting collusive dance in search of the silver bullet.

Of course, this entire conversation unfolded over a gorgeous bottle of Australian Shiraz: A 2022 Spinifex Bête Noir Shiraz. A medium-bodied Shiraz with aromas of blackberry, red plum, with hints of spice and velvety smooth tannins. Stunning. Our audience were also treated to a 2024 Catlow & Company Nebbiolo as well as a 2024 Wanderer Yarra Valley Macclesfield Chardonnay. The entire night was an absolute embarrassment of riches! As always, thank you Annandale Cellars!

And a grateful shout out to New River Leadership, our generous collab partners in this, Leadership Decanted's first live event.

Sláinte friends!

Useful resources from this episode:

1. No Silver Bullet
2. Edge and Stretch
3. New River Leadership

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 askus@leadershipdecanted.com 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!!