With a lifetime’s experience at the highest level, Griffith University Chancellor, the Hon Andrew Fraser (B Law & B Commerce ‘99) knows what he’s talking about when it comes to leadership. We asked him: what qualities do you need to lead in 2026 and beyond? How do the best leaders cope with the pressure? And why do Griffith grads in particular make such great leaders?
As someone who sits across multiple Australian boards, what pressing leadership challenges are you seeing right now?
At the broadest level, the challenge is uncertainty and the rapidity of change. Ambiguity is higher than I ever remember it. You’ve got geopolitical uncertainty, the rapidity of how AI is changing markets and climate change. Dealing with that is challenging. Leadership decisions are usually about the judgment and the calibration of uncertainty – after all, if things are clear, certain and fully predictable, someone else will have already made the decision.
Tell us more about what you mean when you talk about leadership. You’re not just talking about CEOs, right?
Right – because in organisations, everyone has a leadership role. Leadership is not an apex command and control model. It’s about collective leadership and the capacity of an organisation to move forward.
So does that mean everyone needs to learn to lead?
Yes. I think it makes for greater effectiveness. And leadership is one of the factors that unlocks purposeful work and achievement – as an individual, on behalf of others, or for an organisation.
But, of course, leadership is hard…
It is. There are so many books that have been written about how to do it – but even leaders with great natural instincts and capabilities often find leadership hard and lonely. And it’s contextual. A whole range of things inform it, but there’s no golden set of go-to rules.
Why do Griffith graduates make great leaders?
I think it’s the breadth and the context in which we provide our education at Griffith. Lots of institutions can produce lawyers, doctors, nurses and other professional skill sets. What I’ve experienced – and what I hear and see – is that Griffith produces people with the skill set and, crucially, the capacity to apply it in a very human focused way. And in the end, all industries, all organisations, all professions are a people business.
The leaders of tomorrow are at Griffith right now. What qualities and experience do they need to be developing?
Breadth of experience, values and a set of principles are important assets in an uncertain world. Learning that’s lifelong, informal and experiential – along with learning delivered in formalised settings – is what’s going to best equip people for the future. Volunteering, activities and engagements are all opportunities to learn. Having a breadth and depth of exposure is a real asset.
If you were mentoring a Griffith graduate stepping into their first significant role, what three principles would you want them to hold on to?
Remain curious. Pursue a human-centred leadership model. And understand that you can’t remove ambiguity.
How has the role of leader changed in your lifetime?
If leadership models in the very distant past were about command and control, leadership today is much more about the human dimension. It’s about understanding context and circumstances.
How do the best leaders deal with these frequent moments of uncertainty or crisis?
I enjoy working with leaders who have a calmness, a curiosity and a humility – plus the ability to work their way through things. Reflecting on my comment about leadership being more enabling and human, and less command and control, a level of EQ [emotional intelligence quotient] or awareness is more valuable than pure technical smarts.
And finally – is there anything you’d like to say directly to Griffith alumni?
You’re an essential part of this community – so keep in touch. And don’t forget that we always love to see you come back to campus!
Image captions (top to bottom):
- The Hon Andrew Fraser with Brighter Futures Scholarship recipients at the 2026 Welcome Lunch.
- The Hon Andrew Fraser.
Published 28 May 2026
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