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...