The age of distraction is also the age of obsession. This line resonated with me deeply this month as I reflected on how attention has become our most valuable—and contested—resource. From China's $680 billion clean tech investment to the 95% failure rate of AI pilots, the patterns emerging in our world mirror the challenges we face as leaders...

Xenia Wickett - AI After a demanding June, July gave me space to reflect, reset, and work on some of the longer-term institutional goals...

For 80 years, the US anchored the global system. Now, uncertainty reigns. Will America turn inward, fuelling division and instability, or recalibrate and remain a key—if less dominant—global player? For business leaders, preparing for both futures is essential as geopolitics becomes a central concern. Which path will rise, and how will you navigate the complexity ahead?

The pace and pattern of change today demands more than traditional leadership instincts. In a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, clarity is no longer a luxury—it’s a strategic asset. This short piece explores the structural shifts I believe every senior leader should understand—from fracturing global trust and economic headwinds, to demographic divergence and the strategic implications of the energy transition.