[Episode 36] Leadership in the 2025 Federal Election Campaign: The Power of Taking Responsibility

In leadership, one of the most crucial aspects of achieving your desired outcomes is the ability to take full responsibility for your actions and responses. Now, before we dive into the details of the recent 2025 federal election campaign, I’d like to clarify that this commentary focuses on leadership styles rather than politics or policy. It’s about how leaders respond to the events around them, not the intricacies of their political platforms. So, let’s step away from the party lines for a moment and take a closer look at the leadership on display during this campaign.

A core success principle I regularly share with my clients is the idea of taking 100% responsibility for your outcomes by controlling your responses—rather than reacting impulsively to external circumstances.

Event + Response = Outcome

This principle, as described by Jack Canfield (2012), suggests that the key to success lies in how we respond to events, especially when faced with challenges. It’s easy to say we want to achieve specific results, but when we are presented with an event—like the federal election—the way we respond can make all the difference.

The Problem of Not Achieving Intended Outcomes

Leaders—whether in politics or business—often fail to reach their intended outcomes because they react to external forces rather than responding thoughtfully and strategically. This reactive mindset can lead to decisions that are inconsistent, disjointed, or simply disconnected from the broader vision. When leaders are caught up in reacting, they miss the opportunity to shape the outcome through proactive, responsible action.

This is a topic I often begin with when working with new coaching clients, as illustrated in my blog post Next Level Success: Step 1 to Double Your Revenue – Take 100% Responsibility (https://www.askfleur.com/blog/next-level-success-step-1-to-double-your-revenue-take-100-responsibility). In this post, I discuss how success comes not just from taking action, but from taking responsibility for your actions, which influence the outcomes you create. This principle is central to achieving lasting success, and it’s one that can be applied across many contexts—including political leadership.

The 2025 Federal Election: A Study in Response

Looking at the responses of political leaders during the 2025 federal election campaign, we can see how the principle of taking 100% responsibility plays out in practice. The event—the federal election—is the same for all candidates; similarly, the outcome—re-election—is the same goal for all. However, the response is where the divergence lies. The leaders who excelled in their responses were those who took full responsibility for their campaign strategies, communication, and outcomes, while those who struggled seemed to be caught in cycles of reactive behaviour.

Anthony Albanese: A Response Rooted in Vision and Responsibility

Anthony Albanese’s leadership exemplified the power of taking responsibility for his response to the election event. Throughout the campaign, he maintained a clear vision for the country and communicated this vision in a way that was inclusive, forward-thinking, and unifying. In his speech on 13 April 2025, to launch the Labor election campaign, he stated the vision:

"We are asking for the opportunity to keep building to reward your hard work, to open the doors of opportunity for the next generation, to widen them, and to give new life and meaning to our values of fairness, aspiration, and opportunity for all to keep building on everything that makes this nation the best country in the world."

Rather than reacting to every challenge or criticism, Albanese responded with purpose and a sense of ownership over his message. His leadership style reflected a commitment to unite Australians together to continue to have “faith in the fair go,” rather than fear and division.

By taking 100% responsibility for the campaign’s direction, Albanese and his team created a more cohesive and consistent narrative that resonated with voters. His ability to stay grounded in his vision allowed him to lead with integrity, taking control of the campaign’s response to challenges and maintaining focus on their original vision for the campaign and the potential second term of Labor.

Peter Dutton: A Response Marked by Reactivity and Division

In contrast, Peter Dutton’s response to the campaign appeared more reactive and less intentional. His strategy seemed focused on responding to Albanese’s moves rather than proactively outlining his own vision for the country. When he did speak about changes under a Coalition government, he continued to focus on reacting to problems rather than describing a vision of a better future. As he stated in his campaign launch speech on 28 March 2025:

"Australians, we'll take the necessary decisions and show the necessary resolve to keep Australians safe. We're going to boost spending for the Australian Defense Force because we live in a very uncertain time [and] we're going to make our suburbs and our towns safer and we're going to make sure that we have a focus on border security once again."

This led to a series of policy backflips, contradictions, and a general sense of disarray that made it difficult for voters to connect with his leadership. Instead of taking responsibility for shaping a consistent, cohesive message, Dutton’s campaign seemed to be largely reactive, often shifting to address external pressures rather than proactively presenting a clear direction.

Dutton’s approach illustrates how failing to take responsibility for your responses can result in confusion and missed opportunities. His campaign’s lack of clarity and consistency may have undermined his credibility, making it harder for voters to trust his ability to lead the country.

Success in Leadership: The Power of Thoughtful Response

The leadership of both Albanese and Dutton offers valuable lessons in the importance of taking 100% responsibility for your responses. Leaders who react impulsively or defensively risk alienating those they aim to serve, while those who respond strategically and with purpose can create a vision that inspires and motivates.

As I often discuss in my coaching sessions, success is not just about setting clear objectives—it’s about taking responsibility for the way we respond to the challenges that arise. This principle applies not only to business but to leadership in all its forms. A thoughtful, responsible response to challenges, rather than a reactionary one, is what ultimately leads to success.

Leadership and Responsibility for Outcomes

In the end, leadership is about more than just reacting to circumstances—it’s about owning your responses and creating outcomes based on a clear, responsible approach. Both Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton had the same goal: to be elected. But it was their respective responses to the election event that determined how they were perceived as leaders and, ultimately, the outcomes of their campaigns.

As we continue to watch how the new government takes shape and how leadership evolves, let’s remember the power of response. By taking full responsibility for our actions, staying true to our values, and responding with purpose, we can create outcomes that are aligned with our goals—whether in politics, business, or any other area of life.