The 2025 Price of Leadership Gone Wrong

In 2025, we are putting a dollar figure on the costs of leadership failure — from ethical failures and efforts to quietly mislead consumers.

My recent analysis of the US experience shows, when leaders operate transactionally, clients and communities will no longer just let it slide. 

Australia is not immune. The Robodebt inquiry revealed how one mismanaged project can erode trust, damage industries, and leave lasting financial and social scars.

The evidence is clear: when leaders operate transactionally, the corporate bottom line — and community confidence — pays the price. 

Authentic, strengths-based leadership isn't just "good culture"; it is a measurable growth strategy.

"Authentic values aren't a side project—they are the business model."

For further background: this week I published an analysis of the costs to US companies' bottom line when they attempted to implement Trump Administration changes  (read here), and my report Leading Authentically in the Age of AI includes a Robodebt case study (media review copies available).