If you care about how real decisions get made in Australian boardrooms, and what separates merely competent directors from truly great chairs, this episode is a rare inside look. David Gonski shares what he’s learned across decades on major boards, in education and in the arts, from judging the Archibald Prize to helping steer iconic companies like Westfield, ASX and Coca‑Cola Amatil.

We explore how he moved from law into becoming a trusted adviser to some of the country’s most successful business leaders, why trust matters more than transactions, and how art, education and even a simple pen shape his thinking about leadership in the age of AI.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 00:32 Transitioning from Law to Business Advisory
  • 02:46 The 1987 Financial Crisis and Business Resilience
  • 03:33 Why Public Service Matters Outside of Business
  • 05:43 Adjudicating the Archibald Prize 19 Times
  • 07:23 Art, Human Perspective, and the Limits of AI
  • 08:41 A Lesson in Perception from Artist Arthur Boyd
  • 11:25 What Makes an Effective Board Chairman
  • 16:24 Why Serving on Public Boards Is Harder Today
  • 17:58 Inside Westfield: Working with Sir Frank Lowy
  • 21:44 The Analog Pen: Personal Reflection on Original Thought
  • 23:36 Rapid Fire Questions: Leadership, Walking, and Persistence

Rss
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör National Stock Exchange of Australia. Innehållet i podden är skapat av National Stock Exchange of Australia och inte av, eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.