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.

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

Some researchers sensibly suggest that rather than worrying too much about which programs our children are watching, we should concentrate on trying to reduce the total amount of time they spend in front of the screen.

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

Nothing is perfect. Life is messy. Relationships are complex. Outcomes are uncertain. People are irrational.

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

Is it possible that literacy standards are falling because young Australians are growing up in a culture in which they can be entertained and informed, and in which they can communicate effectively, without having to master any but the most rudimentary literacy skills?