Leadership Lens: Why leadership skills still matter
In the first of a new series of columns on leadership, the CEO of the Leaders Institute of South Australia explains why the need for leadership “has never been greater”.
Welcome to the very first edition of Leadership Lens – a monthly conversation about leadership in South Australia.
This column is brought to you by the Leaders Institute of South Australia and will feature insights from our team – including our facilitators, partners and graduates – each with a story, a lesson, or a question that aims to spark thinking about your own leadership practice.
I use the word “practice” deliberately. Like with any skill, good leaders work hard to develop and hone positive leadership behaviours.
That’s why one of our mantras is “leadership is not a position or title, it’s behaviour and actions”.
Another mantra is “stay curious” – more on that below!
You may not have heard of the Leaders Institute.
It’s highly likely though, you’ve met someone who’s been through one of our programs – especially our flagship Governor’s Leadership Foundation (GLF) program. Now in its 26th year, the GLF has graduated more than 900 extraordinary leaders who serve across government, business, community and industry – and many more have followed in their footsteps through other programs we offer.
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When I joined the Leaders Institute earlier this year, I was curious (there’s that word again) about the origins of the Institute or the GLF. So, like any good leader, I started asking questions.
I spoke with some of the original founders – the people who were there when this idea was nothing more than a bold ambition and a belief in what South Australia could be.
This is their story – and our history.
At the turn of the century, South Australia was emerging from a period of economic and social uncertainty. There was a sense that the future couldn’t be left to chance – that we needed a new kind of leadership to meet the moment. Not just leadership of position or authority, but leadership that was capable, connected and courageous.
With the patronage of the Governor at the time (the Honourable Sir Eric Neal), a small group came together to create something different. Something that would equip people not only to lead themselves, but to lead across sectors, across communities, and across difference. And in 2000, the Governor’s Leadership Foundation program was born.
It was inspired in part by the state’s “Business Vision 2010” – a call for deeper connection between business, government and the community. The GLF brought together diverse cohorts of leaders from all walks of life and invited them to look more closely at the systems shaping our society – our democracy, our economy, our justice system, our social fabric. It gave them access to decision-makers, exposed them to fresh perspectives, and built powerful networks of influence and change.
The goal was always more than individual development. It was collective impact. The alumni weren’t being prepared to lead in isolation. They were being equipped to lead together – for South Australia.
It worked. The ripple effects are everywhere. You’ll find GLF graduates leading policy reforms, building social enterprises, transforming industries, heading not-for-profits, and mentoring the next generation. They’re visible and invisible leaders – formal and informal – shaping the future of our state through the values they hold and the choices they make.
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As momentum grew, so too did the vision. The single program became a suite of programs, and the GLF became part of a broader organisation – the Leaders Institute of South Australia. Today, the Institute supports hundreds of leaders each year, building the capability and confidence to lead adaptively through challenge, uncertainty and change.
And let’s be honest – change is our new constant.
In 2025, the need for leadership has never been greater. Not just for our workplaces, or our sectors, or even our state – but for how we live and work together as people. We are navigating polarisation, rising complexity, rapid technological disruption and deep questions about purpose, belonging and identity.
Leadership today requires far more than technical expertise. It calls for deep self-awareness. It demands the ability to sit with discomfort, hold multiple perspectives, and make decisions in the grey. It’s being able to see systems and your part in them. It’s about courage and humility in equal measure. It’s about empathy. And it’s about connection.
One of the biggest challenges we face right now is the growing tendency for people to retreat into echo chambers. We’re seeing increasing polarisation – stronger, more entrenched opinions and a pull toward people who think, live and work like we do. But the truth is, if you lead – really lead – you don’t get to pick and choose your echo chamber. You have to connect with people who see the world differently. You have to build trust across difference. You have to listen.
That’s what programs like the GLF do. They bring together people who would otherwise never cross paths. They create space for curiosity and dialogue. They build bridges – not just networks. They challenge assumptions and foster a sense of shared responsibility for the state we all call home.
In the months ahead, this column will open a window into that world. As I mentioned, we’ll share stories from our community – facilitators, alumni, thought leaders and practitioners – exploring leadership in all its forms. Some will be personal reflections. Others will be provocations. All will offer a deeper look into what leadership looks like on the ground, in real life, right here in South Australia.
Whether you lead a team, a project, a community or just yourself – we hope this space will inspire and challenge you. Because leadership isn’t reserved for the people with titles or formal power. Leadership is action. It’s influence. It’s the example you set and the ripple you create.
If you haven’t heard of us before, or if you’re curious about leadership in this state – come and have a chat. We’d love to welcome you into the community. After all, the strength of our leadership is in the collective – and there’s never been a more important time to lead.
Sarah Cutbush is the CEO of the Leaders Institute of South Australia, home of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation (GLF) Program.
Her 35+ year career spans leadership roles across a range of sectors, including higher education, financial services, travel, transport, sport, and manufacturing.
A respected leader, she is passionate about good leadership and the transformative power of education.
Born in Mount Gambier in regional South Australia, Sarah has spent several years living and working in the UK, as well as in Adelaide.
She is a volunteer patrolling surf life saver, President of Surf Life Saving South Australia and a Director of Surf Life Saving Australia.
