--- title: "Optimism and the Servant Leader: A Conversation with Brad Rowswell" description: "Shadow Treasurer Brad Rowswell shares insights on optimism, faith, and servant leadership, highlighting unity and gratitude in public service. #optimism" image: https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/optimistic%20servant%20leader.jpeg --- ###### [Check out Our latest insights on Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog) [![Centre for Optimism_Logo](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.centreforoptimism.com) - [Subscribe](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/subscribe) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - [The Optimism Principle](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/theoptimismprinciple) - [Need Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/services-and-workshops) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - [Victor Perton - That Optimism Man](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/victorperton) - [Magnetic Optimism for Organisations](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/magnetic-optimism-workshops) ![Close Icon (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Close%20Icon%20(3).svg) ![Search (2)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Search%20(2).svg) ###### [Australian Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-leadership) , ###### [Liberal Party](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/liberal-party) , ###### [Australian Liberalism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-liberalism) , ###### [Podcast](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/podcast) # Optimism and the Servant Leader: A Conversation with Brad Rowswell In my recent podcast with Brad Rowswell, then Shadow Treasurer in the Victorian Parliament, we explored the heart of optimism, servant leadership, and gratitude. Brad’s words resonated powerfully: "My optimism really stems from the fact that we share a common humanity. We breathe the same air, swim in the same sea. And no matter your political divide, we share a common humanity. I'd like to think that the vast majority of people actually want to do better and aspire to do better. Things unite us more than they divide us."   [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/that-optimism-man-victor-perton/id1758198708?i=1000674678286) Listen on Spotify Guided by his Christian faith, Brad views leadership as a form of service shaped by humility and gratitude. He emphasises the importance of taking moments to pause and be grateful for even the simplest blessings—a value he believes can transform our interactions and lead to happier, more optimistic lives. For Brad, faith isn’t just a personal guide but a foundation for a public life centred on unity, optimism, and service to others. Join us for this inspiring conversation to explore how Brad’s faith, servant leadership, and optimistic outlook create a vision of politics as a force for unity and positive change.   [Written by Victor Perton](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton) ##### Keep up to date with the latest from Centre for Optimism ##### We appreciate any contribution you can make to help us spread optimism with the world [![Give Today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/21889975/daed54ec-1173-4b99-9390-e69152e87436) #### Here are some similar articles ###### [Australian Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-leadership) , ###### [Realistic Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/realistic-optimism) , ###### [Anthony Albanese](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/anthony-albanese) #### [Australians Are Globally Renowned for Their Optimism. Let Us Renew It.](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/aussieoptimism?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/aussieoptimism?hsLang=en) ###### [Australia](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australia) , ###### [Australian Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-leadership) , ###### [Realistic Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/realistic-optimism) #### [The Optimistic Spy Boss](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/burgessonhawke?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/burgessonhawke?hsLang=en) ###### [Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/leadership) , ###### [Australian Leadership](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/australian-leadership) , ###### [Democracy](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/democracy) , ###### [Anthony Albanese](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/tag/anthony-albanese) #### [Albanese’s Optimism Wins 2025 Election, Inspired by His Mother](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/2025electionwin?hsLang=en) [Read Article](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/2025electionwin?hsLang=en) ## Connect With Us ##### We love to connect with everyone who is ready to open up and share their optimisim. - [![Facebook 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Center%20of%20Optimism%20Assets/Facebook%202.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/optimistsvoices/) - [![instagram (6)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/instagram%20(6).svg)](https://www.instagram.com/centreforoptimism/?hl=en) - [![linked in 2](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/linked%20in%202.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/centreforoptimism/) - [![youtube (3)](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/youtube%20(3).svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd4GnToz3WLasQSfsz_z8w) - [![twitter](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/Centre4Optimism) #### Keep up to date with the latest from The Centre for Optimism ##### Contact Us Call Us: [+61 417 217 241](tel:+61%20417%20217%20241) (Australia) PO Box 5081, Garden City, Victoria 3207, Australia ##### [The Centre for Optimism](https://www.centreforoptimism.com?hsLang=en) - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? - Our Advisory board ##### Our Research - What makes People Optimistic? - Transformation and Change - [The Better Normal](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/The-Better-Normal) - Strategy and Optimism ##### Join Us - Become a Patron - Join the Optimism Movement - Volunteer ##### [Services](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop?hsLang=en) - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - The Optimism Roundtable - Beacons Of Optimism Workshop - [The Habits of an Optimist](https://www.projectoptimism.com.au/courses/optimism-can-be-learnt-the-habits-of-an-optimist/) ##### The Centre for Optimism - [Why Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whyoptimism) - [What is Optimism?](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/whatisoptimism) - Why be Optimistic? - Our Advisory board ##### Our Research - What makes People Optimistic? - Transformation and Change - [The Better Normal](https://thecentreforoptimism.wildapricot.org/The-Better-Normal) - Strategy and Optimism ##### Join Us - Become a Patron - Join the Optimism Movement - Volunteer ##### Services - [The Optimism Workshop](https://www.centreforoptimism.com/workshop) - The Optimism Roundtable - Beacons Of Optimism Workshop - [The Habits of an Optimist](https://www.projectoptimism.com.au/courses/optimism-can-be-learnt-the-habits-of-an-optimist/) ©2026 The Centre for Optimism - Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Victor Perton", "url" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/author/victor-perton" }, "dateModified" : "2025-01-30T01:54:54.766Z", "datePublished" : "2024-10-28T09:56:51.000Z", "headline" : "Optimism and the Servant Leader: A Conversation with Brad Rowswell", "image" : [ "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/optimistic%20servant%20leader.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/blog/brad", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.centreforoptimism.com/hubfs/Centre%20for%20Optimism_Logo.svg" }, "name" : "The Centre for Optimism" } } ```