I suspect the secret of personal attraction is locked up in our unique imperfections, flaws and frailties.

One reason we resist making deliberate choices is that choice equals change and most of us, feeling the world is unpredictable enough, try to minimise the trauma of change in our personal lives.

One of the most important responsibilities of leaders in any setting - including business organisations - is to tell us our own story; to explain us to ourselves; to help us weave some meaning and purpose into the fabric of our lives; to illuminate our understanding of where we have come from; to paint word pictures of our future onto which we can project our aspirations.

No one welcomes chaos, but why crave stability and predictability?

Although we love the idea of choice - our culture almost worships it - we seek refuge in the familiar and the comfortable.

So, if falling crime rates coincide with the rise of violent video games and increasing violence on TV and at the cinema, should we conclude that media violence is causing the drop in crime rates?

With increasing frequency and growing vehemence, you hear people saying they are ashamed to be Australians.