Keynote
You're not here to be popular
Legitimacy and decision-making
How contested calls are made to hold. Drawing on a career making irreversible decisions under public scrutiny, this keynote examines the mechanics of legitimate decision-making: why being right is not enough, how procedural fairness shapes whether people accept an outcome they disagree with, and what leaders can do to make hard calls stick without losing the room permanently.
Who it is for
Boards, executive teams and organisations navigating significant change, contested strategy, or high-stakes transitions.
What your audience takes away
- Why being right isn't enough to make a decision stick
- How a fair process gets people to accept outcomes they disagree with
- How to explain a hard call so it's understood, not just announced
- How to keep the room's respect after an unpopular decision
An honest approach to how to tackle complex decision-making, it made me sit up and listen.
Formats
Keynote address
45 to 60 minutes, with optional Q&A
Half-day workshop
Immersive session for leadership teams, up to 20 people
Bespoke keynote
A tailored address built around your organisation's specific decision-making challenges, leadership context or strategic moment
Panel Q&A
Moderated or open-floor panel discussions on leadership, decision-making and performance under pressure
Fireside chat
Informal, in-conversation format exploring the ideas and experiences behind the work
Podcasts and media
Available for podcast appearances, broadcast interviews and editorial contributions on leadership and high-stakes decision-making
Book this keynote
All enquiries are handled personally. Please include the event date, format and audience size.