Trailblazing leadership - a speech on trust and courage from the WinWin Award Gala 2024

Distinguished guests,

As we gather here tonight, we do so in a world that feels more uncertain and fractured than it has in decades. We are facing a cascade of challenges - climate change, escalating conflicts in the Middle East, war in Europe, the enduring impact of pandemics, and the devastating realities of starvation and poverty in many developing countries. There is a growing sense that our future hangs in the balance.

On top of this, we see an alarming rise in authoritarianism worldwide, as leaders increasingly resort to coercion and force, undermining democracy and eroding the trust that binds societies together. For nearly 20 years, the number of people living in democracies has been declining, a trend that threatens not just political systems, but the very idea of shared progress.

And yet, while we may be inheritors of a troubled world, we are also its architects, with the power to reshape it for the better. The future is not a story already written—it is one we must write together. In the face of these challenges, the call for trailblazing leadership has never been louder or more urgent. We need leaders who dare to climb the steepest hills and confront the deepest divides, who stand tall not because it is easy, but because it is necessary.

Throughout history, we have seen such leaders rise to the occasion. Think of Martin Luther King Jr., a bold trailblazer who dreamed of a society where all people, regardless of race, would be judged by the content of their character. Or Nelson Mandela, who unbroke the chains of apartheid in South Africa through courage, compassion, and a commitment to reconciliation. And more recently, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who has dedicated her life to fighting for human rights in Iran, even at great personal risk.

These leaders are not just role models for their own time; they are enduring symbols of what is possible when we refuse to settle for the status quo.

But let us not forget that trailblazing leadership is not confined to the halls of power or the pages of history books. It exists in every corner of society—in our schools, hospitals, communities, and businesses. It is the scientist who devotes decades to research, ultimately paving the way for a life-saving vaccine. It is the teacher who inspires generations of students to think critically and act courageously. It is the community leader who brings people together to solve local challenges in ways that resonate far beyond their immediate reach.

Each act of trailblazing leadership, no matter how small, becomes part of a larger story of progress.

So what defines this kind of leadership? At its heart, trailblazing leadership is rooted in trust, courage, vision, and an unyielding commitment to the greater good.

Trust is essential; it is the glue that binds leaders to those they seek to inspire. It is what allows people to take risks, to invest their hopes in a shared vision, and to follow a leader into the unknown. Trust is earned through consistent actions and ethical behavior. Leaders must earn trust not just once, but over and over again.

And then there is courage. The ancient philosopher Aristotle, whom I will quote tonight, called courage the greatest of virtues because without it, no other virtue can be practiced consistently. Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the determination to act in spite of it. It is the strength to stand firm when others waver, to push forward when the path is unclear, and to speak out for what is right even when it is not the popular choice. It is the courage to pursue long-term goals rather than succumbing to short-term pressures.

Trailblazing leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room, nor about imposing one’s will on others. It is about inspiring others to believe in a shared purpose, building bridges across divides, and creating a space where people from different backgrounds can come together and change society. It is about seeing beyond national borders, corporate interests, or personal ambitions. This kind of leadership does not rely on coercion or force; it thrives on inspiration, vision, and a commitment to ethical values that transcend any single cause or moment.

Tonight, as we introduce the theme for the Win Win Award 2025 - Trailblazing Leadership - we call upon all of you to recognize and celebrate the leaders who are rising to meet this moment. Leaders who do not shy away from the toughest challenges, but instead seize them as opportunities to drive profound change. Leaders who are committed to creating opportunities for others to step forward, to drive systemic shifts, and to reshape policies and practices in ways that make a tangible difference for the generations to come.

As we look forward to the nominations for this prestigious award, let us seek out those individuals whose leadership embodies integrity and trust, whose wisdom pursues the common good, and whose vision creates a better future for all. Because in this critical moment for our planet, it is more important than ever to recognize and uplift these leaders.

Let us be the architects of a new era, where trailblazing leadership is not the exception, but the expectation. Where we climb the steep hills together, knowing that the summit is within reach if we trust in ourselves, in each other, and in the power of what we can accomplish together.

Let us be the architects of a new era, where trailblazing leadership is not the exception, but the expectation. Where we climb the steep hills together, knowing that the summit is within reach if we trust in ourselves, in each other, and in the power of what we can accomplish together.

I will conclude by reciting a part of the inaugural poem ‘The Hill we Climb’ by the American poet Amanda Gorman;

"And so we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us. We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside. We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another. We seek harm to none and harmony for all."

May this evening inspire us all to be bold in our actions and boundless in our aspirations.

Thank you.

Louise Bringselius

Associate Professor in Management Studies