Trending News & Expert Recommendations

What does the future of the workplace hold? From leadership style changes to tackling gender equality, this week’s newsletter raises the question: is the future bright, or is it time for us all to 'accelerate action' in line with this year's International Women’s Day theme?

?? 134 Years to Equality?

JPMorgan Chase reports that gender equality is still 134 years away, though an improvement from the 257 years predicted in 2020. Women remain underrepresented, holding just 32% of senior leadership roles. Progress is happening, but far too slowly. Bold action, from policy reforms to economic empowerment, is needed to close the gap finally. ?? Bloomberg

Expert Voices

• Antoinette Dale Henderson, Speaker, Gravitas Expert And Gender Equality Advocate
• Anj Handa, Speaker, Diversity And Inclusion Trailblazer, And Founder Of Inspiring Women Changemakers
• Catherine Mayer, Speaker, Author, And Co-Founder And President Of The Women's Equality Party

??? The Rise of Cursing CEOs

The increasing use of profanity among top executives raises questions about leadership and professionalism. Elon Musk notably told advertisers who left X to "go f---" themselves. Does this signal authenticity and confidence, or does it risk damaging credibility and setting a poor example for employees? As business norms evolve, where should leaders draw the line? ?? Fortune

Expert Voices

• Nic Smith, Speaker, Workplace Wellbeing Expert, Positive Psychologist And Leadership Coach
• Martin Gutmann, Speaker, Author, Professor Of Management, Business Historian And Leadership Expert
• Sharmadean Reid, Speaker, Leading Entrepreneur And Female Inspirational Speaker

??? McLaren’s Winning Formula?

Zak Brown's leadership has transformed McLaren from an underperformer to a competitive force in F1. His focus on creating a new work culture emphasised teamwork, open communication, accountability, and a winning mentality. By investing in talent and fostering a high-performance environment, Brown proves that leadership isn’t just about strategy, it’s about the people. ?? Fortune

Expert Voices

• Otmar Szafnauer, Speaker, Former F1 Team Principal, Leadership And Strategy Expert
• Claire Williams, Speaker, British Motorsport Leader, And Former Team Principal Of The Williams F1 Racing Team

?? Microsoft’s AI Power Play

Microsoft is developing its own AI models, marking a strategic move away from full reliance on OpenAI. This signals intensified competition, rapid innovation, and a stronger AI-first approach across its products. By customising AI for Microsoft 365, unlocking new revenue streams, and integrating deeper into Azure, Microsoft is positioning itself as a dominant force in AI, reshaping industries and setting new standards for ethical AI development. ?? Fortune

Suggested Experts

• Hélène Barnekow, Speaker, Author, Internationally Acclaimed Leader And Former CEO Of Microsoft Sweden
• Zack Kass, Speaker, Futurist, And Former Head Of Go To Market At OpenAI
• Raghav Aggarwal, Speaker, Co-Founder Of Fluid AI, And Tech Innovator

??♀? Accelerate Action

Dove's These Legs campaign highlights that 45% of girls quit sports by age 14 due to body image issues. Through powerful storytelling and collaborations like Sports Re-Illustrated with Sports Illustrated, Dove shifts the focus from appearance to ability, driving cultural change. Beyond advertising, their initiative integrates coaching tools and sustained engagement for real impact. In line with IWD 2025, Dove sets a benchmark for businesses to accelerate action and drive meaningful change. ?? SportsPro

Suggested Experts

• Kate Richardson-Walsh, Speaker, Ex-GB Hockey Captain, Gold-Medal Winning Olympian
• Denise Lewis, Speaker, TV Broadcaster, Gold Medal Winning Olympic Athlete And President Of Commonwealth Games England
• Colin Jackson, Speaker, British Athletics Legend And Sports Commentator