How to develop future-ready leaders (not just high performers)

Our panel, including Steve O'Neill and Carl Panteny, brings together three different but interconnected lenses to spark thought, challenge assumptions, and offer practical ideas.

We will look at the discussion through three lenses:

1. Digital edge & adaptive leadership

Focus: How the leadership landscape is shifting in the digital age — and what future-ready looks like when AI, automation, and data are reshaping how teams connect, perform, and innovate.

Key angles:

• Why digital literacy is no longer a ‘nice to have’ for leaders
• The impact of AI on decision-making, communication, and collaboration
• How to lead teams through digital change and stay human-centred
• Building trust and influence in hybrid, remote, and fast-paced environments

2. Emotional intelligence & human-centred leadership

Focus: Why leadership in 2025 and beyond hinges on how we show up, not just what we deliver. Exploring the emotional and behavioural side of leadership.

Key angles:

• Why high performance doesn’t automatically equal leadership potential
• Leading with empathy, curiosity, and self-awareness
• Developing leaders who coach, not control
• Psychological safety, vulnerability, and how EQ drives performance

3. HR strategy & practical enablement

Focus: How HR teams can create the conditions that allow future-ready leadership to thrive, through policy, people strategy, and practice.

Key angles:

• Moving from “talent programmes” to leadership ecosystems
• Rethinking succession, performance frameworks, and promotion criteria
• Embedding leadership behaviours through policy, not just posters
• Partnering with the business to drive long-term capability, not just fill roles

Additional information:

There is free parking on site, you will need to register your car reg at reception.

Please note:

1. Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the morning of the event.

2. Photography and video production may take place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.

3. By attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any CIPD promotional materials.

4. Please cancel your ticket so someone else can take your place if your plans change and you can no longer make it – there is usually a waitlist for our events.

5. This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.

6. If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.

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Host or Publisher CIPD Wessex Branch