Most senior panels do not fail because the speakers are weak. They fail because no one is leading the conversation. In volatile geopolitical and corporate environments, public discussions are not neutral. They signal strategy. They expose alignment — or the lack of it. They shape how leaders are perceived. Moderation is not logistics. It is strategic leadership in public.

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...

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.

Wickett Advisory May 2025 Insights This month I’ve been focused on what I am trying to achieve, for myself and my business. My behaviour...

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.

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

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

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

Here are 7 key insights I’ve learned from 25 years as a senior geopolitical advisor that are great guides to frame leadership...

At one moment, he and his company are applauded for getting involved in a policy dilemma. The next, he is condemned. This is a situation...