2025 Question Time blog

The 2025 Question Time, held at Savoy Place, London, began with an online poll to uncover the topics the audience most wanted Windsor Leadership’s distinguished panel of alumni to explore. On the giant bar-chart projected above the stage, three pressing issues stood out: Global Geopolitics, Resilience and Wellbeing, and Artificial Intelligence.

As the evening’s discussion unfolded, the deep interconnection between these issues quickly became clear. The volatility, complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity of today’s geopolitical landscape are sources of profound anxiety for many - an unease further amplified by the fast-paced rise of AI. Together, these forces are testing both personal and organisational resilience, with wide-reaching implications for wellbeing. One powerful theme emerged: how can leaders lead well amid such turbulence and rapid transformation?

Drawing on extensive experience across sectors, the panel acknowledged that while leaders are not immune to anxiety, they are often well placed to act - and in doing so, to support those they lead. Their reflections offered practical, grounded advice:

• Articulate a clear sense of purpose by explaining why what you do together matters. A shared purpose provides firm grounding in uncertain times and fosters a sense of belonging when external forces threaten fragmentation.
• Communicate consistently, reinforcing that purpose and offering steady reassurance amidst disruption.
• Focus your energy wisely, knowing what’s within your control - and what’s not. The 'serenity prayer' serves as a valuable reminder: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
• Empower others by giving them agency. Feeling a degree of control over one’s responsibilities is a potent counterbalance to anxiety. Involving colleagues in decision-making and idea generation is especially valuable in uncertain times.
• Channel negative energy into positive action. The ability to transform frustration or fear into momentum for constructive change is a vital leadership skill.
• Cultivate agility by thinking ahead. Preparing for possible future scenarios enables swifter, more confident adaptation when the unexpected arises.

The spirit of Windsor Leadership’s ethos - sharing insights and tackling challenges to spark positive change – was in full force at Question Time. A final poll at the end of the evening assessed whether the discussion had shifted audience perspectives. While views on global geopolitics remained largely unchanged, there were notable shifts in thinking around AI and resilience. With nearly 300 leaders present, there is every hope the panel’s advice will be carried forward and put into action where it can make the greatest impact.