Title: A Vote for Integrity: Why This Election Gave Me Hope

Yesterday, I watched the results of the Australian election with something I haven't felt in a while when it comes to politics — genuine relief.

Not just because of who won, but because of what the outcome represented.

The Australian public didn’t just vote in a new leader or party — they rejected something deeper, something darker. They rejected fear-mongering. They rejected division as a campaign strategy. They rejected the creeping influence of Trumpian politics — the performative culture war tactics, the calculated cruelty disguised as "strength," and the relentless focus on tearing others down rather than building anything real.

They said no. And thank goodness they did.

Because this wasn’t just about policies or party lines — this was a referendum on how we do politics, how we lead, and what kind of country we want to be.

The Rejection of Trumpism

Let’s be clear — the shadow of Donald Trump has stretched well beyond U.S. borders. His style of leadership has become a blueprint for right-wing parties globally: manufacture outrage, weaponise identity, pit neighbour against neighbour, and pretend that empathy is weakness.

And it’s been creeping into Australian politics, bit by bit. We've seen the dog-whistling. We've seen the dehumanising of vulnerable groups. We’ve seen the twisting of truth for political point-scoring. And we’ve seen good people start to lose faith in democracy itself.

But not this time.

This time, Australians pushed back. And not with rage — but with reason. With compassion. With quiet integrity.

They chose candidates who spoke about climate, community, and fairness — not conspiracies, scapegoats, and slogans.

That matters.

Integrity Over Optics — in Politics and in Business

In both politics and business, I’ve seen a disturbing trend: people say the right words — values, integrity, transparency — but abandon them the moment it gets uncomfortable. When there’s pressure, when there’s backlash, when money’s on the line — too many people fold.

We’ve all seen the organisations that tout “people first” values until an inconvenient HR issue arises.

We’ve seen leaders who ask for feedback but punish dissent.

We’ve seen companies launch glossy DEI campaigns while quietly undermining inclusion behind closed doors.

This is what happens when optics matter more than ethics.

The problem is, this isn’t just disheartening — it’s dangerous. It trains people to believe that truth and fairness are optional, that decency is negotiable, and that if you shout loudly enough, you don’t need to listen.

That’s why this election mattered so much to me — because for once, the voters didn’t reward the loudest voices. They rewarded the clearest ones — the ones that stood for something. The ones that still believe leading means serving.

Failure of the Fear Campaign

The LNP’s strategy was clearly focused on fear — fear of change, fear of others, fear of what might happen if we let go of the past. But fear campaigns only work when people feel powerless. And I think Australians are finally remembering their own power — not just as voters, but as human beings who want something better.

In a business context, I often talk to clients about the power of psychological safety — the ability to speak up, make mistakes, and learn without fear of punishment or humiliation. It’s at the heart of every high-performing team. It’s also at the heart of every healthy democracy.

You can’t thrive when you’re being threatened.

You can’t grow when you’re being gaslit.

And you can’t vote for hope when all you're being fed is fear.

From National Sentiment to Personal Practice

What I take from this election result is not just political satisfaction, but a renewed sense of professional alignment. It reinforces my belief that people — whether in the voting booth or the boardroom — want authenticity. They want to be treated with respect. They want leaders who walk their talk.

As a business owner, consultant, and someone deeply invested in ethical leadership, this result reminds me to stay the course. To keep challenging the status quo. To keep calling out performative leadership. And to keep believing that integrity is a long game — but it does win in the end.

It’s also a reminder to those of us in leadership roles — formal or informal — that we are always modelling. Our choices matter. Our silence matters. Our ability to stand firm in the face of expedience matters.

This week, Australians reminded me that integrity is still alive. It may not always shout the loudest, but when the time comes, it votes.

And I think that gives us something very real — and very human — to build on.