Episode Details

What Happens When Leadership Doesn't Meet the Environment?

This is one of the most important episodes we've ever recorded on The Kokoda Track Podcast.

After receiving numerous messages from listeners, trekkers and trek leaders regarding a recent review posted online, Glenn takes a deep dive into the lessons that can be learned when a Kokoda experience doesn't meet expectations.

This episode is not about naming companies, assigning blame or creating controversy. Instead, it's about examining the role leadership plays in shaping every aspect of a Kokoda trek and why leadership is often the difference between a difficult experience and a rewarding one.

Drawing on over 100 Kokoda crossings, 25+ years leading expeditions around the world and 17 years in the Australian Army, Glenn explores the critical importance of communication, decision-making, duty of care, risk management and emotional control in remote environments.

Whether you're planning your first Kokoda trek, preparing to become a trek leader, or simply interested in leadership under pressure, this episode provides valuable insights into what trekkers should look for, what operators should strive for and how we can all contribute to a stronger and more sustainable future for Kokoda.

In This Episode

• Why Glenn decided to tackle a controversial topic
• The review that sparked the discussion
• Leadership versus experience
• Why communication matters more than most people realise
• Duty of care in remote environments
• Managing uncertainty and expectations on the track
• The concept of being "the calm in the chaos"
• Why feedback should be welcomed, not feared
• Lessons every operator can learn from difficult experiences
• Questions every trekker should ask before booking Kokoda
• How leadership training impacts safety, culture and overall experience
• Raising standards across the Kokoda trekking industry

Key Message

Every challenge on Kokoda gets amplified by poor leadership and minimised by good leadership.

Bullet Point Takeaways

• Kokoda is unpredictable. Strong leadership is what helps people navigate that unpredictability.
• Weather, injuries, delays and difficult conditions are inevitable on Kokoda. How leaders respond to them matters most.
• Communication is one of the most important leadership skills on the track.
• Trekkers don't need perfect conditions, but they do need clear, honest and consistent information.