ADC Forge Media

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Rear Admiral James Lybrand, Commander of the Australian Defence College, whose naval career spans from the submarine force to senior strategic leadership roles. Drawing on decades of operational and educational experience, Rear Admiral Lybrand shares his journey from leading underwater warfare operations to shaping Defence’s professional military education enterprise. He discusses the evolution of his leadership style — from decisive command at sea to reflective mentorship in strategic settings — and the importance of humility, delegation, and trust. He also reflects on the unique challenges of submarine leadership, lessons from high-pressure missions such as the search for MH370, and how the Australian Defence College is preparing future leaders through critical thinking, collaboration, and lifelong learning.

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Warrant Officer Dave Ashley, whose Australian Army career spans more than 40 years — including service in South-East Asia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), and Afghanistan. A former Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, Dave shares candid reflections on leadership across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, emphasising the human dimension of command. He discusses the unique responsibilities of military leaders in times of conflict, the vital role of care and empathy in building resilience, and how the ADF can prepare its people for the uncertainty of future warfare. Drawing from hard-earned lessons and deeply personal experiences, Dave also explores how the Army has changed culturally — becoming more diverse, inclusive, and adaptable — while still holding fast to the fundamentals of discipline, humility, and excellence in leadership. In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Warrant Officer Dave Ashley, whose Australian Army career spans more than 40 years — including service in South-East Asia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), and Afghanistan. A former Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, Dave shares candid reflections on leadership across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, emphasising the human dimension of command. He discusses the unique responsibilities of military leaders in times of conflict, the vital role of care and empathy in building resilience, and how the ADF can prepare its people for the uncertainty of future warfare. Drawing from hard-earned lessons and deeply personal experiences, Dave also explores how the Army has changed culturally — becoming more diverse, inclusive, and adaptable — while still holding fast to the fundamentals of discipline, humility, and excellence in leadership.

In Part Two of this Lives in Leadership conversation, Major General Andrew Hocking joins Dr Lucas Marie to discuss organisational learning, national preparedness, and the role of social science in Defence. Drawing on his Vanguard paper, Preparing for the Future: Key Organisational Lessons from the Afghanistan Campaign, Major General Hocking reflects on the courage it takes for institutions to learn openly — and the political, cultural, and structural barriers that often get in the way. He explains how Defence must move beyond isolated, “whole-of-government” thinking to embrace a whole-of-nation approach, in which collaboration across the public, private, and community sectors strengthens Australia’s resilience in times of crisis. The discussion also highlights the value of diverse perspectives — including anthropologists and other social scientists — in understanding human behaviour and improving operational strategy. Hocking argues that meaningful learning and effective leadership depend on embracing tension, humility, and open dialogue across disciplines.

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Major General Andrew Hocking about the personal and professional lessons learned from a distinguished career spanning military command, national disaster recovery, and senior leadership across government. Drawing on experiences from Afghanistan to the 2019–20 bushfires, Major General Hocking discusses the enduring importance of adaptability, humility, flexibility, and balance in leadership. He offers candid reflections on managing stress, maintaining perspective, and learning to “hold on loosely” in high-pressure environments. The conversation explores how leaders can cultivate self-awareness, surround themselves with honest voices, and practise humility amid authority. Hocking also shares insights from his Vanguard paper on lessons from the Afghanistan campaign, the value of social science expertise in Defence, and how Australia can strengthen national preparedness through whole-of-nation collaboration.

In the second part of his discussion with Brigadier John Fenwick, Professor David Whetham delves into the evolving landscape of ethics and leadership in Defence. The conversation spans ethical dilemmas in training, moral reasoning under pressure, and the integration of ethical principles into AI design and operational practice. Professor Whetham also introduces the concept of “reasonable challenge”—a cornerstone of healthy command culture where leaders invite, hear, and act upon honest critique. This episode continues to explore how ethical strength and critical reflection underpin professional mastery and decision-making in the modern military environment.