Leading with Influence, Judgement and Integrity

As organisations become more complex and interconnected, leaders must make sound decisions in the face of uncertainty, and those decisions are only as good as the information and challenge leaders receive. Across financial services, organisations broadly recognise the importance of speaking up and actively promote it. Yet organisational failures continue to point to the same root cause: leader behaviours which both fail to effectively recruit and at times actively suppress the voice of their employees.

This session examines constructive challenge from the perspective of the person in authority. Drawing on behavioural science and real-life case studies, it explores the narratives, tensions and behaviours that determine whether leaders hear what they need to hear. It looks at how seniority amplifies a leader’s influence while quietly eroding the challenge around them, and why an “open door” is rarely enough. Participants will leave with practical approaches to strengthen their judgement, build trusted relationships and shape positive organisational outcomes.