Dr Poornima Luthra, opened the keynote programme with a focus on building the future through relational leadership. Expanding on key themes from her upcoming book, she uncovered what leadership should look like in an AI-influenced, fragmented world.
Leading with Humanity
As technology continues to reshape the way we work, the role of the leader is changing too. Artificial intelligence, automation and new ways of working are creating opportunities for organisations and their people, while also raising important questions about trust, connection, wellbeing, inclusion and what people need from their leaders.
These questions provided the backdrop for Leadership Live 2026, which brought leadership professionals together at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Milton Keynes on 29 September for a day of insight, discussion, immersive learning and connection.
This year's theme, Leading with Humanity, placed the human experience firmly at the centre of the leadership conversation.
The keynote sessions
From relational leadership and resilience to pressure, performance and the impact of AI, the keynote programme explored the theme of Leading with Humanity from four very different perspectives.
Bringing together Dr Poornima Luthra, Principal Lecturer at Imperial Business School; Paul Haynes, Founder of The GRIP Training Academy; Liz Mayon-White, GB Triathlete and Ocean Rower; and Oliver Latham, VP EMEA Enterprise Sales & Business Development at Pearson, the sessions offered a rich mix of insight, experience and challenge for today's leaders.
Session one: Poornima Luthra - Building the future through relational leadership
Session two: Paul Haynes – The GRIP: What really happens when leadership pressure hits
Paul Haynes introduced the audience to the concept of "The GRIP", that deeply human moment when pressure, fear, history, and identity collide. Instead of dismissing emotion because it seems to get in the way of getting things done, he explained how human centred leaders recognise it as valuable data about what is really happening in the room.
Session three: Liz Mayon-White - Finding Strength in the Storm: A Journey Through Uncertainty
The third keynote speaker, Liz Mayon-White, shared a moving account shaped by resilience, uncertainty and determination. From being told she would “never be a success” to crossing oceans, rebuilding after significant loss and facing an aggressive cancer diagnosis, Liz's experiences offered the audience a powerful perspective on what it means to keep moving forward when circumstances change beyond our control.
Session four: Oliver Latham – Leading with Humanity in a Tech-Driven World
Closing the keynotes for the day, Oliver Latham explored why, as technology continues to evolve, the future of leadership may need to become more human, not less.
A key focus of the session was the gap between the pace of digital transformation and the pace at which people and organisations can adapt to it. While AI is changing the way work is done, the capabilities that sit at the heart of effective leadership – including emotional intelligence, communication, empathy, trust and cultural awareness – remain fundamentally human.
Our keynote speakers joined John Mark Williams, IoL CEO, back on stage, to explore questions from the morning’s keynote sessions in a live panel discussion.
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Panel discussion
Exploring leadership in practice
The morning's keynote sessions provided plenty of food for thought, offering fresh and thought-provoking perspectives on what it means to lead with humanity in a rapidly changing world. In the afternoon, the conversation became more hands-on, with workshops, discussions and debates giving delegates the opportunity to explore some of these ideas in practice.
From wellbeing and psychological safety to emotional intelligence, neuro-inclusion, connection, self-awareness, resilience and the changing relationship between people and technology, the sessions offered plenty of inspiration – and practical ideas to take back into the workplace.
From Awareness to Action
Neil Shah, Chief Insights Officer at The Stress Management Society, kicked off the day's workshops with a look into the 7 E’s framework, exploring how leaders can use it to support wellbeing through everyday behaviours, decisions, and interactions.
From building trust and psychological safety to encouraging healthy conversations and embedding supportive practices into team culture, this session empowered leaders to recognise how small, intentional actions can create healthier, more sustainable workplaces.
Clawing Back Connection: Ending Loneliness at Work
Workplace connection was another important theme, with James Moffatt, Business Psychologist, and Janice Moth, co-founder of It Socks to be Lonely, exploring workplace loneliness and its wider organisational impact.
The session considered what loneliness can look like at work and the role leaders can play in creating stronger connections between colleagues.
The Human-Centric Leader
Simone Fenton-Jarvis and Louisa Clarke revealed the ideas behind their book The Human-Centric Leader: People + Profit = Performance, challenging the notion that leaders have to choose between people and performance.
Instead, the session considered how putting people at the heart of leadership can directly influence greater impact and organisational performance.
The Future of Executive Thinking
Kul Mahay, Leadership and Emotional Intelligence Specialist, explored the growing importance of emotional intelligence in executive leadership.
The session considered how leaders think, relate and respond under pressure, and why emotional intelligence is increasingly important for building trust, psychological safety and strong performance.
Everyday Neuro-inclusive Leadership
Creating workplaces where different ways of thinking can thrive was the focus of Everyday Neuro-inclusive Leadership, led by Liv Blaney and Sam Barbour Pringle.
The session explored practical approaches to communication and leadership that can support neurodivergent colleagues while creating better ways of working for everyone.
Leading Without Limits
Lucy Cox looked into the often unseen ways that self-sabotaging behaviours can affect individuals, teams and organisations.
From people-pleasing and perfectionism to avoidance and micromanagement, the session looked at how recognising these patterns can help leaders understand themselves and others more effectively.
Breathe to Succeed
Karen Farrell, Breath Expert and High Energy Speaker, explored the science of breathing and its relationship with stress, focus, emotional regulation and sustainable performance.
The session gave delegates practical techniques for managing pressure, supporting resilience and maintaining clarity in demanding situations.
The Big Balloon Debate
The afternoon closed with a lively look at the future of leadership in an AI-driven world.
Hosted by Beth Stallwood, The Big Balloon Debate challenged speakers and delegates to consider a deceptively difficult question: if only one human leadership capability could make it to 2030, which should it be?
Adaptability, critical thinking, empathy, self-awareness and vulnerability went head-to-head as speakers made the case for the uniquely human capability they believe will matter most in the future workplace.
From insight to celebration
As the daytime programme drew to a close, guests swapped lanyards for black tie ready for an evening of celebration and recognition.
The Leadership Awards brought the day to a fitting close, celebrating the individuals and organisations making a difference through their leadership and recognising the achievements and contributions of leaders across the community.
Take a look at our Leadership Awards highlights for the full list of finalists and updates from the evening.