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News Club Interview - Joe Aston and The Chairman’s Lounge
Three highlights from our chat with author Joe Aston
Joe Aston is the journalist whose book The Chairman’s Lounge has become quite the talking point. He talks to us about the tale of politics, influence, power and more. |  With Kate Watson |
Joe Aston and The Chairman’s Lounge…
Joe Aston is prolific in business, politics and media. Those who know his work will know him from his time as a journalist at the Australian Financial Review, writing the column Rear Window. He took that over in 2012 and continued until he gave it up late last year.
Rear Window became revered and feared. If you landed yourself in that column, it was highly likely it wasn’t a good thing. It either meant you were fodder for gossip or that one of the most unabating journalists had you in their sights.
Last week, Joe Aston published his first book. It’s called The Chairman’s Lounge and is the culmination of years of observing, reporting on and researching Qantas under the leadership of Alan Joyce. The book - as much of Aston’s work - has caused quite a stir.
In this conversation I talk with him about how, since the book's release, he has become enemy number one of our Prime Minister. We speak about the overarching theme of the book - which is power and influence - and how Qantas got it so wrong, especially during the pandemic. And about Aston - his work and the man himself.
Listen to the full episode here, click the image below to watch on YouTube, or scroll down for 3 highlights from our chat.
Highlight #1: On whether politicians declaring upgrades makes it ok
Joe Aston: No, I don’t think it’s fine. I don’t think the public thinks it’s fine either. Whether or not you declare it, whether or not you seek it, whether or not you get it unintentionally—all of which have happened in different forms at different times - it’s just not on. But it’s been going on for so long, and there’s sort of this entitlement culture where politicians go to Canberra, and they just think it’s normal. It just compromises people.
Highlight #2: On how “power affects people”
Joe Aston: It acts much like having a traumatic brain injury. This is what power does to you. It makes you more impulsive, less risk-aware, less able to see things from other people's point of view. And so, over time, if you have a high social or professional status position - and there are none, almost none, as high as being the CEO of Qantas - it affects your judgment. You become very badly impaired.
Highlight #3: On how to handle Joe Aston if he has you, or your boss, in his sights
Joe Aston: Some people have this attitude that you’ve just got to, you know, “take him out for lunch, become friendly, and charm him.” And I think that works if the person is high quality, authentic, and has a plausible story to explain the issues they’re in. But if the person is shifty, there are circumstances where you actually should probably keep them away from me.
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