Still Learning: Conversations for the leaders we're becoming

What does leadership look like when it is grounded in listening, trust and service?

In Episode 3 of Still Learning, Leadership WA CEO Candy Choo and Dr Andrei Lux from Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law sit down with His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, for the final episode of our first series.

Drawing on more than four decades of public service, Governor Dawson reflects on the lessons he has carried across policing, emergency management and his current role as Governor.

The conversation explores listening, trust, transparency and stewardship, from building relationships before they are tested to leading through uncertainty and knowingwhen influence requires restraint rather than control.

Governor Dawson also speaks candidly about his historic apology to the Bindjareb Noongar people for the 1834 Pinjarra Massacre, the importance of truth-telling and learning from history, and the responsibility to strengthen trust in the institutions and communities we serve.

Looking back on his time as Police Commissioner, State Emergency Coordinator and Vaccine Commander during COVID-19, he shares lessons on communication, decision-making under pressure and sustaining your own wellbeing when others are looking to you for reassurance.

And, of course, we ask the question at the heart of every episode: What are you still learning?

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tspvr_pLjSo

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Content note: This episode contains discussionof the Pinjarra Massacre, historical violence against Aboriginal people, and experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cultural warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander [viewers, listeners, readers] are advised that the following program may contain images and voices of people who have died. 

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Article discussed

Ajith, M. M., Lux, A. A., Striepe, M., & Bentley, T. A. (2026). When caring depletes: The paradox of leading employee wellbeing during a prolonged crisis – evidence from the Australian resources sector. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 47(9), 114-132. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-01-2026-0060

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: 8LYDLHEZLR3UUIEF 

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This episode’s speakers

His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia

⁠Candy Choo⁠, Leadership WA

⁠Dr Andrei Lux⁠, ECU School of Business and Law

Follow Leadership WA

⁠Website⁠ | ⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠

Edith Cowan University School of Business and Law: ⁠ https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/business-and-law/home⁠

Recorded at Edith Cowan University City Campus.

How do you stay authentic, adaptable and effective when the world around you keeps changing?

In Episode 2 of Still Learning, Leadership WA CEO Candy Choo and Dr Andrei Lux from Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law sit down with Rhys Williams MLA, State Member for Mandurah, former Mayor of the City of Mandurah, and a 2023 graduate of Leadership WA’s Signature Leadership Program.

Rhys explores what it means to lead when certainty is in short supply, sharing practical lessons on listening well, making difficult decisions, learning from mistakes and staying grounded in your values without pretending to have all the answers.

The conversation also looks at how authentic leadership can land differently across cultures, why future-ready leadership requires adaptability, and why leadership does not always belong to the loudest person in the room.

From imposter syndrome and purpose to work-life balance and choosing which battles matter, Rhys reflects on what it takes to keep learning and growing as a leader. Stayfor the quick-fire round, where the conversation turns to connection, the future, and one very specific skill he is determined to master.

And, of course, we ask the question at the heart of every episode: What are you still learning?

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zUMEhoQEKGE

Article discussed

Lux, A. A., Lowe, K. B., Duran, P., & Bharanitharan, D. K. (2026). Just be yourself ...but only if you are like us? A social identity theory cross-cultural meta-analysis of authentic leadership. Australian Journal of Management, 1–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/03128962261431855

Music licensed through Soundstripe.

Code: 8LYDLHEZLR3UUIEF 

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Connect with this episode’s speakers

Rhys Williams MLA , State Member for Mandurah

Candy Choo, Leadership WA

Dr Andrei Lux, ECU School of Business and Law

Follow Leadership WA

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Edith Cowan University School of Business and Law: https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/business-and-law/home

Recorded at Edith Cowan University City Campus.

What does leadership look like when things don’t go to plan?

In our first episode of Still Learning, Leadership WA CEO Candy Choo and Dr Esme Franken from Edith Cowan University’s School of Business and Law sit down with Christina Matthews AM, former CEO of WA Cricket, to explore the turning points that shaped her approach to leadership.

Christina shares candid reflections on leading through crisis, navigating change, challenging long-held traditions and learning to lead without relying on a title. She also reveals the two leadership practices that have stayed with her throughout her career: consistency and going to people rather than waiting for them to come to you.

From the realities of the CEO-Board relationship to knowing when to stand your ground, Christina offers a refreshingly practical perspective on what leadership looks like behind the achievements.

And, of course, we ask the question at the heart of every episode: What are you still learning?

A conversation about resilience, courage, and why leadership is always a work in progress.

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: ⁠https://youtu.be/8Kn_lrQ-8kM

Article discussed

Silard, A., Miao, C., Rego, A., Akkan, E., Yoon, D., & Qian, S. (2025). Leader expressed humility: A meta-analysis and an agenda for future research. Personality and Individual Differences, 242, 113196. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886925001588?via%3Dihub

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Connect with this episode’s speakers

Christina Matthews AM

Candy Choo, Leadership WA

Dr Esme Franken, ECU School of Business and Law

Follow Leadership WA

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Edith Cowan University

School of Business and Law: https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/business-and-law/home

Recorded at Edith Cowan University City Campus.

What does leadership really look like?

Still Learning is a Leadership WA & ECU podcast bringing together leaders, changemakers, researchers,students and emerging voices from across Western Australia.

Through honest conversations, we explore the defining moments, challenges and ideas shapinghow we live, work and lead.

Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying curious, continuing togrow and recognising that, wherever we are on our journey, we’re all still learning.