It’s time to talk about optimism. Not the fluffy kind. Not delusion or denial. But serious, grounded, strategic optimism. The kind that helps us see possibility amidst uncertainty. The kind that fuels bold decisions and creative action. The kind that helps you lead. Because here’s the truth: optimism is not the opposite of realism. It’s part of it.

We’re living through a new kind of uncertainty. Not the occasional shock or unexpected shift—but a persistent, ambient instability. Markets are jittery. Geopolitical tensions simmer. Generative AI, climate risk, culture wars—none of these pressures are new, but they’re now combining in ways that feel relentless. For business leaders, the challenge isn’t just to respond. It’s to lead through the fog. This is a conversation I’ve been having recently with quite a lot of CEOs.

Xenia Wickett - Wickett Advisory April 2025 Insights Something shifted in September last year that has put my business on a new...

On geopolitics – Forecasting long-term global trends is increasingly futile. The divergence between best- and worst-case scenarios is too vast. Yet, while the West obsesses over US retrenchment, China’s rise, and Europe’s struggle for autonomy, much of the Global South (or Global Middle if you prefer) is simply adapting.

What is President Trump trying to achieve with his tariffs? Until we answer that, it’s hard for governments or businesses to know how to respond—or how to get the tariffs lifted. Here's what I’m hearing - there are four rationales...

Xenia Wickett - My mother Why We Need to Listen More ( and BETTER) Last month would have been my mother’s birthday. She was a...

The pros and cons of expanding access to coaching support If you’re a senior exec in the US and you don’t have a coach, people will start...

When you’re stuck-looping through the same problem overthinking decisions, one of the most effective strategies is change your perspective

I am not an apologist for Donald Trump. Much of what he’s doing—and how he’s doing it—is reprehensible and damaging, not just for the U.S.

Xenia Wickett - Wickett Advisory The three tenets on which my business is built—distinguishing signal from noise, questioning...

I’ve just returned from a week on the East Coast—New York, Miami, and Washington, D.C. Here are my first impressions.

Xenia Wickett - Wickett Advisory How Intentional Are You About Your Life and Work? Most of us are told that success comes from setting...

Xenia Wickett - Wickett Advisory Welcome to January 2025 Insights. I hope the year has started well for you. A couple of weeks ago, I...

In my work, I often talk about the importance of distinguishing signal from noise. Trump is a master at creating a noisy environment

Despite growing geopolitical tensions, 2025 is poised to be a favourable year for the ‘haves,’ particularly in the United States.

Confidence in what you know, and humility in understanding, accepting, and openly exploring what you don't

The older I get, the more unclear it becomes to me. Thoughts about leadership have been circling around my head for over a year now....

An independent perspective on the 2024 US election prediction 30 days before the polls. What you need to know.

Drawing from 25 years as a senior geopolitical advisor, I've identified seven key insights that offer valuable guidance for framing...

I was talking with a client recently about how to get their team performing at their best. In that context I remembered this management...