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Revealing the ‘Real Julia’: Authenticity and Gender in Australian Political Leadership

7 June 2016

Research

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As Australia’s first-ever female prime minister, authenticity was one way Julia Gillard sought to differentiate herself from Kevin Rudd, the man she had replaced in an uncontested ‘leadership spill’ in June 2010. Frustrated that the media focussed on superficial aspects such as her appearance, she sought to bring ‘the real Julia’ to their attention, a ploy that rebounded to her disadvantage in the midst of her handling of Australia’s commitments to climate change and the fiery oppositional politics that it aroused. Julia Gillard spent 330 days as Australia’s first female prime minister before being replaced by the man she had deposed as Labor leader, Kevin Rudd.

This case study compares and contrasts their leadership styles with a particular focus on Gillard’s claim to be an authentic leader. This teaching note is designed to: Critically examine and discuss the concept of authentic leadership using examples from Gillard’s leadership journey; discuss the extent to which gender contributes to how a leader is perceived, portrayed and judged; and discuss the role of media in constructing a ‘common sense’ understanding of leadership.

Authors: Janet Tyson, Carin Sundstedt, Todd Bridgman
Published Date: 7 June 2016
Author Institution: Victoria University of Wellington
Featured Content Length: 1
Content Length: 6
Product Type: Case with teaching note, Teaching note