This week I went to the Future Talent Conference organised by Changeboard. It was an event full of energy and thoughtful speakers. The event was “designed to inspire and empower senior HR and talent professionals” and they brought together 900 attendees, 10 speakers and a panel debate at the excellent Sadlers Wells theatre.
Martine Wright was the first speaker and, as a 7/7 survivor and paralympic athlete she spoke about how positivity and determination can allow you to realise your dreams. She talked about her Power of 7 (I’ll link to the video of her presentation when it’s live as it’s great stuff) and how embracing change brings opportunity, challenges you and makes you stronger. Anyone can say that but hearing her speak you really felt it could be true. Martine’s presentation was a powerful start to the conference.
I really enjoyed many of the other presentations during the day but especially, the entirely without notes (obviously), session from blind paralympic swimmer Lord Chris Holmes. He talked about how, today, it takes more than hierarchies to retain and motivate employees and his presentation. Sir Clive Woodward’s presentation also was eagerly received as he talked about the four criteria which characterise a champion individual or team in business or sport.
I was going to consider what my key takeaways from yesterdays conference were but the lovely guys from Changeboard actually shared the five things they felt we’d learnt:
Challenge yourself
Achieve the impossible: Martine Wright, highlighted her determination to overcome the traumatic day of 7/7, and the motivation for Lord Chris Holmes when he unexpectedly went blind overnight; both achieving their dreams, and more, by becoming Paralympic champions and leaders.
Stick to your core values
Mindfulness is important: Ruby Wax challenged what leaders need to be doing to encourage more wellbeing in the workplace and Amy Sawbridge offered her advice on how to connect your employer brand internally and externally.
Learn new skills
Continuous development: Helmut Schuster revealed how HR needs to step up through the power of technology, Sir Clive Woodward identified ways to create a winning team and Dr Alan Watkins took leadership to a new dimension.
Challenge the status quo
A good kind of capitalism: Alain de Botton shared why it’s crucial for leaders to think about their actions and impact on the workforce, while Melanie Richards raised the debate with an exclusive C-suite panel to find out how HR can work more effectively with the board.
Keep evolving
Set a culture for success: Yvonne Agyei unveiled the secrets behind Google’s award-winning culture andPeter Cheese reflected on the key themes from the day and the steps we need to take in the changing nature of work.
I chatted with a couple of HR professionals after the event (much more their target audience than I actually am) who said it was ““probably the best conference I have been to in terms of the quality and diversity of the speakers” commented on the fact that the speakers weren’t the same old presenters “rolled-out” as you see at some events. I have to agree; it was a very high quality line up and a nicely paced event.
Thanks for the round up Louise, obviously some great topics covered, particularly like the reminders to stick to core values and to challenge the status quo