Have you ever wondered how political leaders decide which issues make it to the top of the agenda?
In this episode of Work with Purpose, host David Pembroke speaks with Professor Liam Smith and Dr Connor Wynn from Behaviour Works Australia to explore how politicians make high-stakes decisions under pressure and what the public sector can learn from the process.
Drawing on extensive behavioural research, Smith and Wynn reveal how political leaders rely on heuristics, or mental shortcuts, to navigate complexity, limited time and competing demands. They explain how community sentiment, emotion, political capital and timing influence which policies rise to prominence, and how these forces shape outcomes across government.
Listeners will learn how understanding the psychology of decision making can help them engage more effectively with ministers, anticipate shifting priorities and design advice that resonates. This is an engaging conversation about influence, timing and the human side of leadership in government, offering practical guidance for anyone working in or alongside the Australian Public Service.
Key tips
- Use the “wait and see” principle. Recognise when an issue is gaining traction and be ready to act when political and community momentum align.
- Seize the moment. Identify windows of opportunity created by events, media attention or public pressure, and present advice when decision makers are most receptive.
- Think like your audience. Understand how leaders and communities perceive an issue, and frame advice using real-world perspectives and public sentiment, not just technical evidence.
guests
Professor Liam Smith
Liam is Director and co-founder of BehaviourWorks Australia (BWA), one of Australia’s leading authorities on behaviour change.
Formerly Director of Monash University’s Tourism Research Unit, Liam holds a Bachelor of Science (Resource and Environmental Management) from the Australian National University, a Master of Ecotourism from James Cook University, and a Master of Philosophy and PhD from Monash University.
Liam is on the executive of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute and in 2022 was elected as one of the Biodiversity Council’s lead councillors, which aims to provide trusted expert voices communicating accurate information on all aspects of biodiversity to the Australian people.
Dr Conor Wynn
BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash University. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce, MBA in Strategy and Corporate Finance, Master of Arts in Sociology, and a PhD in Behavioural Science.
Conor brings over 25 years of experience helping organisations implement strategy, with a focus on governance in project-based environments.
He specialises in understanding how power and those who wield it shape organisational behaviour. As big decisions can lead to poor outcomes, his research focuses on how personality, culture, and thinking style influence choice at the highest levels.
sHOW NOTES
- Behaviour Works Australia – behavioural science research and case studies: behaviourworksaustralia.org
- How the political elite make decisions (Wynn, 2025) – Australian Journal of Public Administration – Wiley Online Library
transcript
