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In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Warrant Officer Dave Ashley, whose Australian Army career spans more than 40 years — including service in South-East Asia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), and Afghanistan. A former Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, Dave shares candid reflections on leadership across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, emphasising the human dimension of command.

He discusses the unique responsibilities of military leaders in times of conflict, the vital role of care and empathy in building resilience, and how the ADF can prepare its people for the uncertainty of future warfare. Drawing from hard-earned lessons and deeply personal experiences, Dave also explores how the Army has changed culturally — becoming more diverse, inclusive, and adaptable — while still holding fast to the

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Warrant Officer Dave Ashley, whose Australian Army career spans more than 40 years — including service in South-East Asia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), and Afghanistan. A former Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, Dave shares candid reflections on leadership across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, emphasising the human dimension of command.

He discusses the unique responsibilities of military leaders in times of conflict, the vital role of care and empathy in building resilience, and how the ADF can prepare its people for the uncertainty of future warfare. Drawing from hard-earned lessons and deeply personal experiences, Dave also explores how the Army has changed culturally — becoming more diverse, inclusive, and adaptable — while still holding fast to the fundamentals of discipline, humility, and excellence in leadership.

In Part Two of this Lives in Leadership conversation, Major General Andrew Hocking joins Dr Lucas Marie to discuss organisational learning, national preparedness, and the role of social science in Defence. Drawing on his Vanguard paper, Preparing for the Future: Key Organisational Lessons from the Afghanistan Campaign, Major General Hocking reflects on the courage it takes for institutions to learn openly — and the political, cultural, and structural barriers that often get in the way.

He explains how Defence must move beyond isolated, “whole-of-government” thinking to embrace a whole-of-nation approach, in which collaboration across the public, private, and community sectors strengthens Australia’s resilience in times of crisis.

The discussion also highlights the value of diverse perspectives — including anthropologists and other social scientists — in understanding human behaviour and improving operational strategy. Hocking argues that meaningful learning and effective leadership depend on embracing tension, humility, and open dialogue across disciplines.

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Major General Andrew Hocking about the personal and professional lessons learned from a distinguished career spanning military command, national disaster recovery, and senior leadership across government.

Drawing on experiences from Afghanistan to the 2019–20 bushfires, Major General Hocking discusses the enduring importance of adaptability, humility, flexibility, and balance in leadership. He offers candid reflections on managing stress, maintaining perspective, and learning to “hold on loosely” in high-pressure environments.

The conversation explores how leaders can cultivate self-awareness, surround themselves with honest voices, and practise humility amid authority. Hocking also shares insights from his Vanguard paper on lessons from the Afghanistan campaign, the value of social science expertise in Defence, and how Australia can strengthen national preparedness through whole-of-nation collaboration.

In the second part of his discussion with Brigadier John Fenwick, Professor David Whetham delves into the evolving landscape of ethics and leadership in Defence. The conversation spans ethical dilemmas in training, moral reasoning under pressure, and the integration of ethical principles into AI design and operational practice. Professor Whetham also introduces the concept of “reasonable challenge”—a cornerstone of healthy command culture where leaders invite, hear, and act upon honest critique. This episode continues to explore how ethical strength and critical reflection underpin professional mastery and decision-making in the modern military environment.

A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

In the first part of this two-part Lives in Leadership episode, Brigadier John Fenwick speaks with Professor David Whetham, Director of the King's Centre for Military Ethics at King’s College London. Together they explore the growth of military ethics as a discipline, the practical and cultural drivers behind its rise, and how ethical education shapes leadership in modern armed forces. Professor Whetham reflects on his career and ongoing research in areas such as human–machine teaming, artificial intelligence, and organisational culture. The discussion also delves into the complex dynamics of civil–military relations, moral injury, and the enduring duty of the profession of arms to uphold both ethical standards and societal trust. This episode sets the stage for a continuation in Part Two, where these themes are developed further.

A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

From the depths of a Royal Navy submarine to the complexities of defence transformation, Rear Admiral Paul Halton has built a career leading people and organisations through uncertainty.

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, he speaks with Dr Lucas Marie about:

• Rebuilding trust and confidence in teams facing cultural decline

• Balancing agility and discipline in long-term strategic programs

• The shared leadership challenges of the UK and Australian defence contexts

Halton’s reflections cut to the heart of what it means to lead with clarity, consistency, and purpose — lessons that resonate for every Defence professional navigating change.

A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Air Vice-Marshal Steven “Zed” Roberton, Distinguished Service Cross, about his remarkable journey through three decades of command in the Royal Australian Air Force and beyond. From leading Operation Okra—the largest RAAF deployment since Vietnam—to navigating multinational coalition dynamics and later entering the private sector, AVM Roberton shares lessons on trust, adaptability, and ethical decision-making in complex environments.

The conversation explores how core leadership values—respect, integrity, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence—transcend both military and civilian life, and why ethical awareness is more critical than ever in an age of artificial intelligence and rapid technological change.

A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

In this episode, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Doctor Leigh Ann Perry, an associate professor of psychology and behavioural science at the US Naval War College. She is a leading expert in applying positive psychology to military leadership development. Dr Perry’s work focuses on well-being, resilience, and mindfulness.

A Transcript and Educational Shownotes⁠⁠ are available on The Forge

Rear Admiral Lee Goddard shares candid lessons from 34 years in the Navy and beyond. From commanding warships to shaping defence policy, he reflects on leadership, high-performing teams, and the importance of knowing your people.

Transcript and Shownotes are available on the Forge.

A new Senior Enlisted capability is emerging with a burgeoning form of influence-based leadership that embraces diversity and that can rapidly mobilise a workforce.