Australia’s future prosperity is at risk due to a combination of factors including a decline in productivity, weak innovation, and growing geopolitical instability. This is the main argument of a new book titled “Australia: A Lighthouse in the Global Storm – The CEO Imperative” by Kearney ANZ Chairman Adam Dixon and the firm’s Australian partner team.
In the book, Dixon highlights the urgency for business leaders, policymakers, and boards to confront the productivity crisis and adapt to the rapidly changing global environment. He argues that while Australia may be a “privileged nation” with a strong economy and stable institutions, its future growth is at risk due to structural challenges such as slowing productivity, declining innovation investment, and the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence.
According to Dixon, Australia’s past economic advantages, such as its abundant natural resources, are no longer enough to sustain its prosperity. He emphasizes the need for active leadership and a proactive approach to address the country’s long-term competitiveness.
Drawing on Kearney’s experience advising governments and leading corporations globally, the book identifies five transformational forces that will shape Australia’s economic future: leadership in a time of moral confusion, improving national productivity, the impact of artificial intelligence on organizations and society, building resilient supply chains in a fragmented world, and the need to roll back Agile practices in corporate Australia.
Dixon states, “Every CEO, board, and sector has a role to play. We are entering a more volatile era, and the instinct is to hunker down and play it safe. But history tells us that storms reward preparedness, principle, and courage. The leaders who steer into challenges are those who emerge stronger on the other side.”
The book also delves into seven important sectors in Australia: telecommunications, financial services, natural resources, consumer goods, retail, logistics, and defense. It provides practical solutions and a framework for action for business leaders to confront the country’s challenges and seize opportunities for growth.
The book has received advance praise from Australian business leaders, including David Thodey AO, former Assistant Treasurer of Australia; The Honourable Kelly O’Dwyer, former Assistant Treasurer of Australia; Emeritus Professor Ian Harper AO, Member of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Monetary Policy Board; and Robert Nason, former Senior Executive at Tabcorp and Telstra.
Kearney, a global management consultancy, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The firm’s latest publication, “Australia: A Lighthouse in the Global Storm – The CEO Imperative,” reflects its legacy of forward-thinking business strategies. The book presents an optimistic outlook for Australia’s future while also highlighting the risks and challenges the country faces.
“Australia: A Lighthouse in the Global Storm – The CEO Imperative” is published by LID Publishing and is available in hardcover and e-book formats. It can be purchased for $49.99 AUD/£19.99 GBP. For more information about Kearney, please visit their website at www.kearney.com.
For media inquiries, please contact Sandpiper at kearney@sandpipercomms.com. The book is distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/ and was published on 16 July 2026.
