Description
Gus McLachlan leadership speaker sessions are delivered by a highly accomplished leader with a 37 year career in the Australian Army. He reached the rank of Major General. Forces Command fell under his command, with responsibility for 36,000 personnel, 85% of the Australian Army.
Why book Gus McLachlan as your leadership speaker
Gus commanded operational teams in Afghanistan and Iraq. He also served in international roles in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the United States. The US Legion of Merit and appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia followed his service. He is a graduate of the Royal Military College at Duntroon and the University of New South Wales. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies. He further sharpened his executive skills through the Harvard Advanced Management Program and the Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership.
In his keynotes, Gus covers leadership in crisis, disruption and the digital age. He also unpacks the geopolitical landscape. There, he helps audiences understand how events in Russia, the Middle East, China and the United States affect Australia economically, politically and socially. Throughout, he translates military lessons into practical strategies for business. As a result, audiences get a rare perspective drawn from both the battlefield and the boardroom.
Keynote Topics
The Geopolitical Landscape: Understanding Creates Opportunity
In a rapidly changing world, awareness and preparation are critical. Gus helps audiences understand how global events, including Russia, the Middle East, China and political shifts in the US, impact Australia economically, politically and socially.
Key takeaways include navigating global disruptions such as supply chain challenges, inflation and social cohesion breakdowns, identifying opportunities amid uncertainty using geopolitical insights, and building resilient organisations ready to adapt and thrive in volatile, interconnected environments.
Leadership in the Modern Era
Gus draws on military and corporate experience to explore the challenges of modern leadership. He covers leadership in disrupted environments, leading with resilience and agility under uncertainty and making decisions with incomplete information. He also shares crisis leadership lessons from war and peace, building high performing teams through trust, ethics and shared vision. He explores leadership in a digital age too, using technology to inspire and manage distributed teams.
Audiences leave with actionable strategies to lead effectively, adapt quickly and make confident decisions in any environment.
Since retiring from the military, Gus has held senior roles with Boral. He now advises defence and technology companies on strategy and leadership. His directorships span AI, cybersecurity and aerospace innovation. He is also Inaugural Chair of the AI and Cyber Futures Institute at Charles Sturt University, an Adjunct Professor at Monash University, and a Senior Adviser to the University of Sydney.
Book Gus McLachlan leadership speaker for your next conference or keynote event. See Gus McLachlan’s full profile, keynote topics and testimonials on the Corporate Speakers Australia speaker page, or browse other leadership keynote speakers.
