
Symposium Speakers and Topics
Guests will benefit from the experiences of our expert Panellists, each of whom will share their experience, knowledge and expertise with the audience on topics that are key to becoming a Reslient Leader.
Naomi Bowman
Global Chief Operating Officer for Legal, HSBC Holdings Plc and Future Leaders Award Joint-Winner 2014
Topic: Being brave, bold and creative in chaos
Enormous challenges are not impossible and are in fact enormous opportunities. Use a resilience- based mindset to be courageous, successful and at your best in difficult and unpredictable situations.
Renée Hawkins
Principal Consultant, Thoughworks and Future Leaders Award Finalist 2012
Topic: Empowering teams to ride the wave of disruptive change
In today’s world, one thing for certain is there is constant change. Advances in technology, globalisation and social-political change are disrupting our businesses at a rapid pace. This change can cause volatility, uncertainty and complexity. How do we support our teams to avoid getting stuck by fear and uncertainty? The answer is Empowerment. We’ll explore ways to empower teams and individuals to create resiliency.
Brett Lovegrove
Chief Executive of the City Security and Resilience Network (CSARN) and international security expert
Topic: Are leaders born, trained or developed?
Brett puts forward the view that our full life experiences all contribute to who were are and, critically as leaders, how we respond to crises. Who in your life influenced you? What circumstances shaped you? Where was your moral compass set? If you understand the basis of who you are, you can then identify where you need to develop further.
Gwen Rhys
CEO & Founder Women in the City and Director Networking Culture Ltd
Topic: With a little help from my friends
Strategically building your social capital means you’ve got the connections you need, when you need them. By having the right network in place, you’ll be instantly plug-and-play in new environments, you’ll have the support you need when times get tough and the people in place to help you fulfil your personal and professional goals.
Symposium Format
The Resilient Leader – some background
Resilience is often described as a quality that enables people to bounce back from a set-back or change in circumstance. Some people are born survivors, but we can all learn how to become resilient and become resilient leaders.
True Resilient Leaders don’t just use their resilience in the face of change or crisis, they consistently review their habits and practices to enable them and their teams to be fully equipped in advance of changes that might challenge them.
A Resilient Leader is not risk adverse and is not afraid to accept new challenges but is able to use a change in fortune as an opportunity for growth. Being resilient isn’t about being ‘bullet proof’ but the ability to accept that at times a leader can be vulnerable and yet strong enough to live with ambiguity and uncertainty and lead her team through tough times and times of change.
How do we become resilient? What practices can be put in place to ensure that we can not only overcome difficulties but be brave enough to create difficulties for the long term benefit of ourselves, our teams and our organisations?