When Was the Last Time You Felt Something? Why Creativity Belongs in Leadership and Public Life
In a world filled with agendas, deadlines and carefully scripted talking points, it is easy to forget what makes us human: feeling, imagination and connection.
What if we began our parliamentary sessions with a dance?
What if meetings opened with a poem?
What if question time felt less like theatre and more like truth?
It may sound unconventional, but perhaps that is exactly the point.
Why Creativity Matters More Than Ever
Across workplaces, governments and communities, we are constantly encouraged to be productive, efficient and practical. While these things matter, they can also leave little room for reflection, emotion and genuine connection.
Creativity is not a luxury. It is a vital part of how we understand ourselves and one another.
A poem can say in a few lines what a speech cannot.
A song can bring people together more quickly than policy ever will.
A shared moment of movement, laughter or beauty can dissolve barriers that formal structures often reinforce.
When we make space for creativity, we make space for empathy.
Reimagining Public Spaces and Leadership
Imagine if our public institutions embraced more humanity.
What if leaders spoke not only with authority, but with heart?
What if public events made room for storytelling, music and cultural expression?
What if the spaces where decisions are made also became places where people felt seen?
This is not about idealism or escapism. It is about asking better questions.
Why should seriousness always look the same?
Why should professionalism mean suppressing emotion?
Why should leadership be disconnected from joy?
The most meaningful change often begins not with grand declarations, but with a willingness to imagine something better.
Watch the complete Podcast on YouTube.
The Power of Feeling in Everyday Life
In the rush of daily life, many of us have become disconnected from the simple things that make us feel alive.
When was the last time you:
- read a poem that stayed with you?
- sang without worrying how you sounded?
- wore something that made you feel bold, joyful or fully yourself?
- paused long enough to notice beauty?
These moments matter.
They remind us that life is not only about achievement. It is also about presence, expression and belonging.
Celebrating the Women Who Have Shaped Queensland
This spirit of connection, care and courage is at the heart of Queensland’s story and especially in the stories of women whose contributions have too often gone unrecognised.
From mothers and carers to advocates, educators and quiet changemakers, women have shaped our communities in profound ways: nurturing families, strengthening neighbourhoods and building the foundations of a more compassionate society.
Their work may not always have made headlines, but its impact has been lasting.
Join Us at Our Upcoming Events
Join Us at the National Child & Family Safety Leadership Summit 2026 will bring together leaders, practitioners, policymakers, researchers and community voices from across the country. This important gathering creates space for meaningful dialogue on the most pressing issues impacting children and families including domestic violence, coercive control, child protection, and community wellbeing.
We look forward to welcoming you to this moving and inspiring celebration of women’s achievements and contributions. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of WA’s most influential scientific leaders, Miquela Riley.