"get in good trouble, necessary trouble."
We've always been more interested in what's going on beneath the surface than what's immediately obvious — the assumptions shaping decisions, the dynamics driving behaviour, and the reasons a problem exists in the first place, rather than the way it happens to show up.
We believe better decisions start with better questions. Understanding the problem before jumping to the solution. Looking at the whole system, not just the part directly in front of you. Having the courage to challenge assumptions that might just be getting in the way of progress. That's where you find the insights that change the conversation.
Our approach
Listen first.
Before we recommend solutions, we take the time to understand your context, people, challenges and aspirations.
Challenge thoughtfully.
We ask the questions others avoid. We test assumptions, surface blind spots and create space for honest conversations.
Keep it practical.
Big ideas are only useful if they can be implemented. We focus on solutions that are ambitious enough to matter and practical enough to deliver. Our mantra is, all stuff, no fluff.
Bring people with you.
Change works best when people feel heard, involved and invested. We create processes that build ownership, trust and momentum.
Make it enjoyable.
Work can be serious without taking itself too seriously. We bring energy, creativity and humour because people do their best thinking when they're engaged.
Who we are
We're Alison Lloydd-Wright and Kayla Johnson, the co-founders and managing directors of The Good Trouble Group.
Our backgrounds are different by design, and that's what makes our work stronger.
Between us we have decades of senior government executive experience, where we led complex strategy and reform, shaped policy, drove organisational change, built high-performing teams and worked alongside executives, Ministers, boards and communities to solve problems that don't come with easy answers.
We bring complementary ways of thinking to every project. One of us naturally zooms out to see the whole system, while the other instinctively digs into the detail. One asks the difficult questions, the other finds the practical path forward. Together we challenge assumptions, test ideas from every angle and make sure no stone is left unturned.
Our experience and qualifications span public policy, economics, law, strategy, leadership, organisational culture and stakeholder engagement, but what really defines our work is curiosity. We love understanding how organisations work, why people behave the way they do and what it takes to turn good intentions into meaningful action.
We're also united by a genuine passion for South Australia. We care deeply about the people, communities and organisations that make this state what it is. Between us we bring both a lifetime of local knowledge and the fresh perspective of someone who chose to make South Australia home.
Every engagement is approached with the same philosophy: ask better questions, bring diverse perspectives to the table and leave our clients with greater clarity, stronger capability and practical tools they can keep using long after we've left the room.
Alison Lloydd-Wright
Alison thrives on seeing the bigger picture and creating ambitious opportunities. Clients value her insightful perspective, strategic thinking and ability to build consensus around difficult decisions. A proud public policy nerd, Alison co-hosts The Westminster Tradition podcast.
Alison is obsessed with great South Australian food and wine, the ocean, and the Oxford comma.
Kayla Johnson
Kayla has a knack for spotting the details others miss and weaving them together into a bigger picture. She's known for asking the question everyone else is avoiding and summarising the room's points in an easy-to-understand way.
Originally from the United States, Kayla moved to South Australia with a plan to stay for eight months. More than a decade later she's become one of its biggest advocates, and you can find her volunteering at events or eating all the tacos at La Popular Taqueria.
Our values
Our values are the standards we hold ourselves to, the lens we make decisions through, and what you can expect when you work with us.
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Authenticity
We are true to ourselves and our ideals.
We say what we think, admit what we don't know, and stay true to our principles, even when it's uncomfortable. We don't pretend to have all the answers, but we'll always bring our genuine perspective, practical experience and best judgement to the table.
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Curiosity
We seek to experience and learn new things.
The best ideas come from asking better questions. We approach every organisation, challenge and conversation with an open mind, a willingness to learn and genuine curiosity about what makes people, teams and systems work. We never stop learning because you deserve advice that's informed, thoughtful and current.
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Challenge
We dive into difficult tasks and problems.
The conversations worth having are rarely the easiest ones. We don't avoid complexity, difficult decisions or uncomfortable truths. Instead, we create the space to tackle them with confidence, respect and purpose. Progress happens when we're prepared to question assumptions, challenge thinking and embrace good trouble.
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Contribution
We strive to make a lasting difference.
Success isn't measured just by the workshop we deliver or the strategy we write, but by what changes afterwards. We want every piece of work to leave organisations stronger, leaders more capable and communities better off. If we've made a meaningful contribution that lasts beyond our involvement, we've done our job.
Who we work with
Whether you're planning change, leading change, building capability or trying to align people around a common purpose, we can help.
The sector matters less than the willingness to have the right conversations.
- Government departments and agencies
- Local government
- Universities and education providers
- Industry associations and peak bodies
- Not-for-profits
- Purpose-led businesses
- Leadership teams and boards
FAQs
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Strategy. Facilitation. Leadership development. Professional development. Stakeholder engagement. Team culture. Organisational problem-solving.
Mostly, we help people get clear on what matters and make progress on it.
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Not at all.
While we have deep government experience, we work across public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
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Absolutely.
In fact, we rarely deliver the same thing twice. We design our work around your goals, challenges and audience.
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Yes.
We facilitate workshops, planning days, leadership retreats, stakeholder consultations, full conferences, conference sessions and panel discussions. We also provide more standard MC and moderation services.
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There isn't a minimum size.
We've worked with small teams, large departments, executive groups, boards and entire organisations.
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We're practical, honest, energetic and a little bit provocative.
We won't drown you in frameworks, buzzwords or 100-page reports. We'll help you understand the real issue, make decisions and move forward.
And you'll always get two deeply experienced consultants who genuinely care about the outcome.
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Simple.
Reach out, tell us what you're trying to achieve, and we'll have a conversation about whether we're the right fit.
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Individual coaching.
It can be incredibly valuable, but it's not a service we offer.
Great coaching requires a genuine commitment from both coach and participant over time, and we've chosen to focus where we believe we create the greatest impact: helping teams and groups build capability together, strengthen how they work, and tackle shared challenges.
We're always happy to grab a coffee, share ideas, or point you in the right direction—but one-on-one coaching isn't part of our service offering.
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Every project is different, so we provide tailored, project-based pricing rather than charging by the hour.
Once we understand what you're trying to achieve, we'll develop a clear proposal with an upfront investment based on the outcomes, scope and level of support required. That means you know exactly what to expect, without worrying about unexpected hourly charges or watching the clock during meetings.
Our pricing reflects everything required to deliver a successful outcome—from planning and preparation through to facilitation, advice and follow-up—so you can focus on the work, not the timesheet.
If you're still shaping the scope or working within a particular budget, we're always happy to have a conversation. Our goal is to find an approach that delivers value for your organisation and achieves the outcomes you're looking for.